Social Security COLA 2026: 2.8% benefits increase set; Medicare Part B projected to top $200 as VA rates rise in lockstep
A new cost-of-living adjustment is set for 2026, lifting Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments by 2.8%. The increase begins with Social Security benefits paid in January 2026, while SSI recipients see the higher amount in their December 31, 2025 payment (due to the holiday calendar). Veterans’ disability compensation and military retiree COLA are slated to rise by the same percentage, as those programs track the same inflation yardstick.
What the Social Security COLA 2026 means for your check
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COLA percentage: +2.8%
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Start dates:
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Social Security: January 2026 payments
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SSI: December 31, 2025 payment
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Who’s affected: Retired workers, spouses, survivors, SSDI, and SSI beneficiaries
The 2.8% adjustment is calculated from the third-quarter CPI-W index and is designed to help payments keep pace with inflation. While the increase is modest, it follows smaller adjustments in recent years and arrives as household costs remain elevated for essentials like housing, food, and medical care.
Snapshot: average benefit illustrations (rounded)
| Benefit type | 2025 average | +2.8% COLA | 2026 illustrative average* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired worker | $2,009 | +$56 | ~$2,065 |
| Aged couple, both receiving benefits | $3,120 | +$88 | ~$3,208 |
| SSI individual (max federal) | $967 | +$27 | ~$994 |
| SSI couple (max federal) | $1,464 | +$27 | ~$1,491 |
*Illustrative figures; individual amounts vary based on earnings history, claiming age, and other factors.
Medicare Part B premium 2026: what to expect
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Status: Final 2026 Part B amounts are typically announced in the fall; current projections point to a standard premium near $206.50/month (up from $185 in 2025) and a deductible near $288.
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Impact on take-home checks: Because Part B is usually deducted from Social Security, a larger Part B premium will reduce how much of the COLA shows up in your net deposit. With the projected premium, roughly a third to two-fifths of the average retiree’s monthly COLA could be offset by Part B alone.
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IRMAA: Higher-income surcharges (for Parts B and D) adjust annually; 2026 brackets and surcharges will be finalized with the premium announcement.
Note: These Medicare figures remain projections until the official notice is posted. If final numbers differ, the net effect on checks will change accordingly.
VA disability pay chart 2026: COLA-matched increase
Veterans’ disability compensation, certain survivor benefits, and military retired pay that are tied to the COLA are set to rise by 2.8% effective with December 2025 payments (paid at the end of the month). Final dollar amounts by rating and dependency status will be published in program charts, but the percentage lift aligns with Social Security’s 2.8%.
Key 2026 Social Security program changes to watch
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Earnings test: Annual and “year you reach full retirement age” limits will adjust for inflation; updated amounts publish with the COLA fact sheet.
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Taxable wage base: The maximum earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax will increase again in 2026, affecting higher earners.
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Credits (quarters of coverage): The dollar amount needed to earn one credit rises with average wages; most workers need 40 credits to qualify for retirement benefits.
Action steps: make the most of the 2026 increase
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Check your new benefit in your online account. Once notices are issued, your my Social Security profile will display the updated 2026 benefit and any Medicare deductions.
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Review Medicare options during open enrollment. Plan and drug costs can shift; comparing options may help offset the projected Part B increase.
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Coordinate with VA and survivor benefits. If you receive multiple benefits, confirm timing and net amounts, especially where withholdings or offsets apply.
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Update withholding and budgets. A modest COLA plus higher healthcare costs may still leave a tight margin—adjust tax withholding or emergency savings targets as needed.
What could still change
Recent updates confirm the 2.8% Social Security and SSI COLA for 2026. Medicare Part B numbers cited here are projections; official premiums, deductibles, and IRMAA brackets will finalize with the government’s fall release. Details may evolve, and program fact sheets will provide the authoritative figures once posted.
