The vast majority of Social Security recipients will see the benefits change from the 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment in their first payment of the new year. Some, however, will see the COLA raise in 2025.

But only just barely.

The Social Security Administration announced last month Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive a 2.8% increase in 2026, up slightly from last year’s 2.5% but less than the 3.2% boost recipients received in 2023.

READ MORE: Social Security’s 2026 increase announced: What next year’s COLA means to you

That increase will show up for the 71 million Americans who receive Social Security in their first payment of January 2026. Social Security benefits are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of the month based on the recipient’s day of birth.

The increase will show up earlier for the 7.5 million people who receive Supplemental Security Income. Those payments will be made on Dec. 31, 2025. SSI is traditionally paid on the first of each month but since Jan. 1, 2026, is a federal holiday, the payment schedule is pushed back by a day.

SSI is for low-income seniors or those with disabilities.

READ MORE: Some Social Security recipients won’t get a payment in November: See payment schedule

What will COLA mean to me?

On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January. The agency will begin notifying people of their new benefit amounts by mail starting in December.

If you have a my Social Security account you can view COLA announcement online. Create an account today at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. low-income

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