Overview
- SSA confirmed a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, lifting the average retired-worker check by about $56 a month starting in January, with SSI adjustments arriving on December 31, 2025.
- Some Democrats have introduced a bill to add $200 per month beginning in January 2026 for several months for Social Security, SSI, railroad retirement, and certain veterans’ beneficiaries, but it has not been enacted.
- A new Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget proposal would cap annual COLA increases for the highest-benefit recipients, which the group estimates could save $35 billion to $385 billion over 10 years depending on the cap level.
- Advocates warn much of the 2026 raise could be offset by higher expenses, including a projected rise in standard Medicare Part B premiums to about $206.50 in 2026, alongside broader increases in living costs.
- This week’s payments go to beneficiaries with birthdays on the 11th–20th on Wednesday, November 19, followed by those born on the 21st–31st on November 26; the maximum monthly benefit reaches up to $5,108 for those who claimed at age 70.