Seniors will get a 2.8% raise in their monthly Social Security check in 2026, likely disappointing most Americans, according to a survey by nonprofit advocacy group AARP.
A 2.8% cost-of-livng, or COLA, increase means Social Security benefits will rise by about $56 per month starting in January, when COLA kicks in, the Social Security Administration said. Letters will be mailed in December to let beneficiaries know what their new monthly will be, SSA said. Those with a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online sooner.
Annual COLA is meant to help seniors keep up with inflation, but only 22% of Americans age 50-plus agree that a COLA of around 3% is enough to keep up with rising prices, while 77% disagree, the survey of 1,000 seniors between September 18 and 23 showed. The sentiment is consistent across political party affiliations, with 75% of Republicans, 82% of Independents and 79% of Democrats expressing disagreement.
Next year, "rising Medicare premiums alone could fully consume the COLA for many seniors in 2026,” said Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst.
Medicare Part B premiums and some Part D drug plan premiums in 2026 may challenge the biggest dollar jump of $21.60 in program history set in 2022. Part B premiums have not been announced yet, but Medicare Trustees estimate that the standard monthly Part B premium would rise $21.50 to $206.50 in 2026 from from $185 in 2025.
