• Social Security retirees can expect a raise in their monthly benefits in 2026 due to the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
• Retirees with Social Security payments above $2,013.32 can anticipate an above-average COLA increase in 2026, as COLAs are calculated on a percentage basis.
• The increase in benefits is meant to keep purchasing power in line with inflation, so retirees may not have extra buying power with the raise.
• Understanding how the COLA affects your benefits can help with financial planning and budgeting for 2026.

Read more at Nasdaq: If Your Social Security Benefit Is Above This Amount, Your Raise Will Beat the Average in 2026