Overview

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to publish September CPI-W on Oct. 24, with the Social Security Administration slated to announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment the same day.
• Independent estimates place the 2026 COLA around 2.6% to 2.9%, and coverage notes it could be slightly higher than 2025’s increase, though that is not assured.
• Projected Medicare Part B premiums for 2026, near $206.20 to $206.50 per month, are likely to absorb part of any benefit increase.
• The average Social Security benefit in 2025 is $2,008.31 per month, or about $24,100 a year, underscoring that checks alone rarely cover living costs.
• Social Security was designed to replace roughly 40% of pre-retirement income, and experts recommend targeting 70% to 90% through savings in accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs as traditional pensions have waned.