Happy New Year! Now that we are done with the Christmas festivities, we can look forward to what 2026 has in store for us. The good news is that the new Social Security payment amounts will shift to show the 2.8% COLA the SSA calculated for this year.
This is the famous cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is designed to help benefits keep pace with inflation. Since the adjustment is climbing from 2.5% last year to 2.8% for 2026, everyone’s monthly payments will grow by that same 2.8%.
SS Benefits will increase to adjust to inflation
This update also pushes the income cap for Social Security taxes up to $184,500. Basically, in 2026, workers will owe payroll taxes on every dollar they earn—at least until they hit that $184,500 limit.
This update also pushes the income cap for Social Security taxes up to $184,500. Basically, in 2026, workers will owe payroll taxes on every dollar they earn until they hit that $184,500 limit. Anyone earning that much or higher will chip in $11,439.00 to the Social Security insurance fund, and their boss has to match that contribution exactly.
Millions of people will notice their first raise arrive on December 31 along with their Supplemental Security Income checks. While SSI usually drops on the first of the month, the New Year’s holiday pushes the payment date up by one day. For folks on SSI, the monthly check is climbing to $994, increasing from the $967 level seen in 2025.
Married couples on SSI can expect their payments to jump to $1,491, a nice step up from the previous $1,450. Roughly 71 million people across the country are also going to see bigger Social Security checks from this month’s payment forward.
How much will payments increase on average?
Since the typical benefit sits near $2,000, plenty of folks can expect an additional $56 every month. Anyone who clocked out at their full retirement age gets a raise, taking their monthly total from $4,018 last year up to $4,152.
Last year, the absolute highest payout available to someone retiring at age 70 topped out at $5,108.For those who do enjoy working (or their job is not physically demanding), postponing their retirement can prove fruitful.
For 2026, that upper limit is stretching even higher to $5,251. That first batch of bigger checks goes out on January 14 to anyone with a birthday falling between the 1st and the 10th of the month.
Other increases thanks to COLA
This adjustment also raises the income ceiling for workers who haven’t hit full retirement age yet. You can now earn up to $24,480, but if you go past that, the agency holds back $1 from your benefits for every extra $2 you make.
If you are hitting your full retirement age sometime in 2026, your income cap jumps up to $65,160. In this case, the government deducts just $1 for every $3 you earn above the limit, but that stops the moment you reach your birthday month.
FAQs
Why is my SS check slightly bigger this month?
Since prices for everyday things—like gas and groceries—have increased, the government tries to make up for it enlarging the checks to account for inflation. This is called a Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA. This year, your payments will go up by 2.8%.
How much extra money will I actually get?
It depends on what you already get, but most people will see an increase of about $56 a month. If you receive SSI, your new check will be $994 (or $1,491 for couples). If you are curious, you can take a calculator and multiply the monthly check you got in 2025 by 2.8. That will be the increase you will perceive this year.
When will I get my new payment?
If you get SSI, your first bigger check arrived early on December 31—since January 1 was a national holiday. For regular Social Security, payments start going out in waves beginning January 14, depending on your birthday.
Can I still work while getting benefits?
Yes! You can earn up to $24,480 this year from a job without it lowering your benefits. If you earn more than that, your checks might get temporarily smaller until you reach full retirement age.