The social security cost-of-living adjustment prediction for 2026 continues to rise, as inflation numbers continue to roll out.

Here’s where the latest numbers stand:

Social Security COLA 2026

The backstory

In June, The Senior Citizens League, a seniors’ advocacy group, predicted the 2026 cost-of-living update would be 2.5%, up from May’s estimate of 2.4%, and the March estimate of 2.3%.

For context

Social Security’s COLA is calculated using a variant of CPI data that measures average annual inflation for the months of July, August and September, according to FOX Business – meaning the final COLA for 2026 will be unveiled after September’s CPI print is released in mid-October.

By the numbers

With the latest data in hand, TSCL estimated that the Social Security COLA will be 2.7% – which would raise the average monthly benefit for retired workers by $54 from $2,008 to $2,062.

Dig deeper

A COLA of 2.7% would be higher than 2025’s COLA of 2.5%, but lower than the previous year’s of 3.2%.

Over the last 20 years, the COLA has averaged 2.6%, according to TSCL.

What’s next

The COLA will be determined and announced officially in October.

RELATED: Inflation rose last month amid weakening job market: How will the Fed respond?

August inflation

Big picture view

Inflation rose in August as the price of gas, groceries and airfares jumped while new data showed applications for unemployment aid soared.

By the numbers

Consumer prices increased 2.9% in August from a year earlier, the Labor Department said last week, up from 2.7% the previous month and the biggest jump since January.

The Source

Information in this article was taken from The Senior Citizens League and the August Consumer Price Index, as well as previous FOX Business and FOX Local reportings. This story was reported from Detroit.