BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Social Security Administration announced Oct. 24 that Social Security benefits, including Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8% in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January.Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1%. The COLA was 2.5% in 2025.Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8% percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on Dec. 31, 2025. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI)."Social Security is a promise kept, and
