Each year, the Social Security Administration adjusts payments to beneficiaries based on inflation. This cost-of-living adjustment, also known as COLA, increases the size of monthly checks for Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and other Social Security benefits.
The Social Security 2026 COLA update will increase beneficiaries’ checks by 2.8% and, on average, benefits will increase by $56 per month starting in January.
Don’t face Social Security alone.
In this article about the Social Security 2026 COLA increase:
How is the Social Security 2026 COLA increase calculated?
The annual COLA is determined by changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures the cost of everyday goods and services. When the CPI-W increases, SSDI benefits rise by cost-of-living adjustments to help beneficiaries offset higher prices.
Based on the changes in the CPI-W from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025, SSDI beneficiaries will receive a 2.8% COLA increase for 2026.
Earning limits for the 2026 Social Security COLA
Each January, several other Social Security adjustments also take effect based on increases in average wages. For instance, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax (known as the taxable maximum) will rise from $176,100 to $184,500.
For workers younger than full retirement age, the earnings limit will increase to $24,480. Benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above this limit.
For those reaching full retirement age in 2026, the limit rises to $65,160. In this case, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $3 earned over the limit until the month the worker reaches full retirement age.
There is no earnings limit for individuals who are at full retirement age or older for the entire year.
2026 Social Security COLA: Who qualifies?
The COLA applies to all SSA benefit payments, including those for nearly 71 million SSDI beneficiaries. There are no special eligibility requirements. The adjustment is applied automatically, so your benefit amount will increase without any action on your part.
In late November 2025, most beneficiaries will be able to view their Social Security COLA notices online in the Message Center of their my Social Security account. To ensure that your benefits have increased, sign in to your account on the SSA’s website. If you don’t see the COLA adjustment applied to your account, you can contact the SSA for assistance.
Key Takeaways
- 2026 COLA Increase: Social Security benefits, including SSDI, will rise by 2.8% in 2026, which amounts to an average increase of $56 per month.
- Calculation of COLA: The adjustment is based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
- Earnings Limits and Taxes: In 2026, the taxable maximum rises to $184,500. Earnings limits are $24,480 for workers younger than full retirement age and $65,160 for those reaching full retirement age.
How Woods & Woods can help
Having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your peace of mind. At Woods & Woods, we help individuals with disabilities connect with legal help. If you’re seeking SSDI benefits, call us today for a free case evaluation.
You worked hard – let us fight for you.
Frequently asked questions
The 2026 Social Security COLA increases benefits by 2.8% to help keep up with inflation. This adjustment applies automatically to all Social Security payments, including SSDI, with no action required.
In addition to a 2.8% COLA increase, other annual adjustments include the taxable earnings maximum, which will rise to $184,500. The earnings limit will also increase to $24,480 for workers younger than the full retirement age, and to $65,160 for those reaching full retirement age.
Lori Underwood
Lori Underwood received her law degree from Northern Kentucky University. She previously practiced Social Security disability and personal injury law and was a juvenile court attorney.
She has been an attorney at
Woods & Woods since 2014.
