The new 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment doesn’t just increase Social Security checks, starting with January payments — it also boosts thresholds related to the maximum retirement benefit.
The maximum Social Security benefit for workers who claim at full retirement age will increase to $4,152 per month in 2026, up from $4,018 per month in 2025, following the 2.8% COLA.
The Social Security Administration detailed the change on Oct. 24 as part of its announcement about the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026 for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefit payments. The news, originally slated for Oct. 15, was delayed due to the federal government shutdown.
Other changes for 2026 in the release included a boost to the taxable earnings cap and higher earnings test thresholds for older adults who claim benefits while they are still working.
Workers who receive the $4,018 maximum full retirement age benefit in 2025 would have earned the taxable maximum in each year starting at age 22, according to the Social Security Administration.
