Your Social Security check grew larger in January 2026 — and if you haven’t confirmed your new amount yet, right now is the moment to act. Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026, up from the 2.5 percent adjustment in 2025. For SSI recipients, the higher payment arrived even earlier: increased SSI payments began with the payment. I’m Sloane Avery Wren, and in this guide I’ve pulled every official figure, payment date, and state supplement so you can verify your deposit down to the dollar.
The SSA announced the 2.8% COLA on . Your mailed COLA notice arrived in December 2025. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, the new 2026 benefit amount is available in December via the mailed COLA notice and your my Social Security account. If you haven’t logged in to confirm your exact new amount, do it today — Medicare Part B deductions affect your net deposit.
How the 2.5% COLA for 2026 Was Calculated
Read more: Social Security 2026 COLA: Your 2.8% Raise Explained
I want to explain exactly where that 2.5% figure comes from. SSA uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Specifically, it averages the CPI-W for July, August, and September of . That average is then compared to the same three-month average from . The percentage change becomes the COLA. Source: ssa.gov/cola
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the CPI-W data. SSA does not set the COLA itself. The law — specifically Section 215(i) of the Social Security Act — requires this automatic adjustment. Source: SSA Act §215(i)
Your New 2026 Estimated Benefit Amounts
Read more: Social Security Payment Dates 2026
Below are the SSA’s published average monthly benefit figures before and after the increase. I’ve pulled these directly from the SSA fact sheet. Your individual amount will differ based on your earnings record.
| Beneficiary Type | Before COLA Dec 2025 |
After COLA Jan 2026 |
Monthly Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| All retired workers (avg) | $1,976 | $2,025 | +$49 |
| Retired couple, both receiving | $3,089 | $3,166 | +$77 |
| Disabled worker (avg SSDI) | $1,580 | $1,620 | +$40 |
| Widow(er) alone (avg) | $1,832 | $1,878 | +$46 |
| SSI federal benefit rate (individual) | $967 | $991 | +$24 |
Source: SSA October 2025 COLA Fact Sheet. Averages. Individual benefits vary.
The Medicare Part B Premium Offset: What I Netted
Read more: 2026 Social Security COLA: Your Check Rises 2.8% — $56 More/Month
Here is the part most articles skip. Medicare Part B premiums are deducted directly from Social Security checks. In , the standard Part B premium rose to $185.00 per month. That is up from $174.70 in . The increase is $10.30/month. Source: medicare.gov
On an average retired worker benefit of $1,976/month, the COLA adds $49. Subtract the $10.30 Part B increase and the real net gain is roughly $38.70 per month. That is still positive — unlike some years.
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