Essential insights for seniors on Social Security—understand the trends, risks, and what you can do to protect your income. Essential insights for those on Social Security and food stamps—how much...  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

September 12, 2025   |   Read Online Social Security COLA 2026: What Seniors Need to Know About Your Pay Raise Essential insights for those on Social Security and food stamps—how much your benefits may increase in 2026 and important steps to prepare. Social Security Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) 2026: What Seniors Need to Know About Your Pay Raise Next Year How the 2026 Social Security COLA Is Calculated Every year, Social Security beneficiaries look forward to their cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)—a raise designed to help payments keep pace with rising prices. The COLA is based on inflation data from the third quarter (July, August, and September), with the final number revealed in October. For 2026, key inflation numbers are coming in, and analysts now expect your Social Security benefits to increase by about 2.7–2.8% starting in January. What Will This Mean for Your Monthly Check? The average retiree will see a monthly benefit go up by about $54—from $2,007 to $2,061. Spouses will get roughly $26 extra per month. Survivors and disabled workers will see increases of about $43 per month. This modest COLA matches last year's increase (2.5%), but is a smaller bump than some years past. Over the last two decades, COLAs have averaged around 2.6%. Why Is Your Raise Modest? The COLA is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Inflation rose by 2.8% in August, nudging the COLA prediction up from earlier estimates. However, many seniors say the COLA doesn't always capture the true cost of living—especially as expenses like groceries, medical care, and housing continue to climb. "For many people, Social Security is the only inflation-protected income they have in retirement."   Bill Sweeney at AARP Want to learn more about how you can maximize your Social Security benefits? Get our Benefits Insider Social Security Guide to start saving today! Watch Out for Rising Costs Analysts warn that part of this increase may be offset by higher Medicare Part B premiums, which are expected to rise by $21.50 (an 11.6% jump) to $206.50/month in 2026. Many seniors report having to cut back on essentials and non-essentials as prices continue to rise.   Free Medicare Help with Chapter 90% of American seniors are on the wrong Medicare plan. Thankfully, Chapter is here to help! They can help you switch to the right plan and save $$$. Chapter saves the average senior $1,100 per year! Plus, it is 100% risk-free! Give them a call to find out how much you could save: 539-205-2147. askchapter.org/insider What Should You Do Next? Review your budget to account for both your COLA increase and higher out-of-pocket medical costs. Watch for the official COLA announcement in October so you can plan ahead—it may affect food stamp eligibility and other assistance programs. Advocate for better COLA measures: COLA is based on "typical urban worker" costs—not seniors' unique expenses. AARP and other groups are fighting for fairer adjustments. Explore new tax breaks: Some seniors may also qualify for new tax deductions starting with 2026 returns. Real Life Example Mary, 72, gets $1,574/month from Social Security survivor benefits. After a 2.7% COLA, her payment could rise to about $1,617. That's about $43 more per month—but her Medicare premium may absorb nearly half the increase." Key Dates to Remember October 15, 2025: SSA will announce the final 2026 COLA. January 2026: The new benefit amounts go into effect. You've earned your Social Security—make the most of every dollar. Stay tuned for more tips and updates in the next issue of The Insider from Benefits Insider. This newsletter is for information only. Consult an expert before making major financial decisions. 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Give them a call to find out how much you could save: 539-205-2147. askchapter.org/insider *View our Advertising Disclosure   Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here © 2025 Benefits Insider 228 Park Ave S, #29976, New York, New York 10003, United States Terms of Service