If you get Social Security Benefits for retirement, disability, or SSI, then you should pay attention to October 15. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will publish the 2026 COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) on that day, which may increase your benefit from January 2026. This COLA is meant to make sure that the payments you receive remain relevant to inflation, using data from the Inflation rate of the last quarter of this year. Most experts say that COLA will be roughly 2.7%. This means that a huge number of participants will be able to receive an increase of $54 or more per month.
How Much Your Social Security Benefits Could Increase In 2026
Last February, Social Security Administration (SSA) officials estimated a possible 2.7% COLA for 2026. For the average retiree the monthly benefit would increase from approximately $2,007 to $2,061. Recipients of disability benefits would see their monthly payments increase to around $1,484. Even Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries stand to experience some bump as their maximum monthly payments would increase to around $1,453. Below summarizes the estimated changes to the benefits:
Planning Ahead: Social Security Benefits
The 2.7% increase, though looking lucrative, will come with several challenges to beneficiaries due to the ever-increasing cost of living. One of the biggest issues will be the increase of Medicare Part B premiums, estimated to increase by 11.5% as well. This increase will disproportionately affect lower-income seniors and recipients as the cost of living continues to increase, making it harder to budget for essentials like housing, groceries, and healthcare.
Changes of Note for SSI Payment Schedule
Just like the yearly COLA announcement, October 15 is also a pertinent date for SSI recipients due to updates concerning their payment calendar. If a federal holiday, like Labor Day, falls on the 1st of the month, payment for that month will be dispensed early. This means that recipients may receive two payments in one month (August 2025) and then none in the following month (September 2025). Similar changes are anticipated in October and December, so beneficiaries need to plan their budgets in such a way that they maximize sufficiency to avoid running low on funds.
The announcement on the 15th is just as critical for all 2026 fiscal year planning as the previous payment schedule changes. With the expectation of changes from the COLA adjustment and others, planning will be a critical tool to ensure irrational spending does not occur.
