The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that payments in 2026 will increase by 2.8% based on cost-of-living adjustments.
Roughly 75 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries are affected by the COLA increases.
2026 Social Security and SSDI Effective & Payment Dates:
- Social Security benefits (including SSDI) are effective beginning with December benefits, which are payable in January.
- Federal SSI payment levels will take effect on December 31, 2025.
2026 Social Security Changes
In 2026, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) jumped to $184,500.
The earning limit for younger workers is $24,480 in 2026.
For workers who reach age 60 in 2024, the earning limit increased to $65,160. For each $3 over the limit, the Social Security Administration deducts $1 until the month the worker turns 67.
| Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) | ||
| Non-Blind | $1,620/mo. | $1,690/mo. |
| Blind | $2,700/mo. | $2,830/mo. |
| Trial Work Period (TWP) | $1,160/mo. | $1,210/mo. |
| $4,018/mo. | $4,152/mo. | |
| SSI Federal Payment Standard | ||
| Individual | $967/mo. | $994/mo. |
| Couple | $1,450/mo. | $1,491/mo. |
| SSI Resource Limits | ||
| Individual | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Couple | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| SSI Student Exclusion | ||
| Monthly limit | $2,350 | $2,410 |
| Annual limit | $9,460 | $9,730 |
| All Retired Workers | $2,015 | $2,071 |
| Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits | $3,120 | $3,208 |
| Widowed Mother and Two Children | $3,792 | $3,898 |
| Aged Widow(er) Alone | $1,867 | $1,919 |
| Disabled Worker, Spouse and One or More Children | $2,857 | $2,937 |
| All Disabled Workers | $1,586 | $1,630 |
Source: SSA.gov
VA Disability Payments and Social Security Benefits
The COLA increases also affect VA disability pay, so if you’re someone who also received VA disability compensation along with SSDI, be sure to calculate how much you will receive in 2025. If you’re unsure if you’re able to receive VA disability payments and Social Security benefits, learn more about program eligibilities and how benefits impact each other.
How Social Security is Calculated
Social Security benefits are based on lifetime earnings and are adjusted or “indexed” to actual earnings to account for changes in average wages since the year the earnings were received. Then, Social Security calculates the average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which the most was earned. They apply a formula to these earnings and arrive at your basic benefit, or “primary insurance amount.” This is how much would be received at your full retirement age — 65 or older, depending on the date of birth.
How Are Social Security Increases Calculated?
To ensure the value of money at retirement keeps up with the rate of inflation, the SSA ties its adjustment for Social Security benefits to the wage earners’ Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). It calculates each year’s Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) by calculating the change in the CPI-W for urban wage earners and clerical workers from the third-quarter average of the previous year to the third-quarter average for the current year.
COLA Increase History Since 1975
| Year | COLA |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.8% |
| 2025 | 2.5% |
| 2024 | 3.20% |
| 2023 | 8.70% |
| 2022 | 5.90% |
| 2021 | 1.30% |
| 2020 | 1.60% |
| 2019 | 2.80% |
| 2018 | 2.00% |
| 2017 | 0.30% |
| 2016 | 0.00% |
| 2015 | 1.70% |
| 2014 | 1.50% |
| 2013 | 1.70% |
| 2012 | 3.60% |
| 2011 | 0.00% |
| 2010 | 0.00% |
| 2009 | 5.80% |
| 2008 | 2.30% |
| 2007 | 3.30% |
| 2006 | 4.10% |
| 2005 | 2.70% |
| 2004 | 2.10% |
| 2003 | 1.40% |
| 2002 | 2.60% |
| 2001 | 3.50% |
| 2000 | 2.50% |
| 1999 | 1.30% |
| 1998 | 2.10% |
| 1997 | 2.90% |
| 1996 | 2.60% |
| 1995 | 2.80% |
| 1994 | 2.60% |
| 1993 | 3.00% |
| 1992 | 3.70% |
| 1991 | 5.40% |
| 1990 | 4.70% |
| 1989 | 4.00% |
| 1988 | 4.20% |
| 1987 | 1.30% |
| 1986 | 3.10% |
| 1985 | 3.50% |
| 1984 | 3.50% |
| 1983 | N/A |
| 1982 | 7.40% |
| 1981 | 11.20% |
| 1980 | 14.30% |
| 1979 | 9.90% |
| 1978 | 6.50% |
| 1977 | 5.90% |
| 1976 | 6.40% |
| 1975 | 8.00% |
Your military benefits make homeownership more affordable—$0 down, no PMI, and lower average rates whether you’re buying or refinancing. See if you're eligible today.
-
Jon Rehagan covers financial topics and military news, aimed at helping those who've served our country and everyday civilians