All year long, retirees across the county sit in anticipation of the next Social Security COLA announcement. The COLA is an increase implemented to benefits annually in order to account for year over year inflation. This year, the wait for the COLA announcement had been a little longer than intended due to the federal government shutdown.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) use CPI data as released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in its calculation for the COLA each year. The CPI-W for the third quarter of the year is used in specific. The data is released on a monthly basis, with the September CPI previously scheduled for release on October 15th. The federal government shutdown began on October 1st and as a result, the Bureau of Labor Statistics ceased all operations — consequently delaying the COLA announcement.
Fortunately, a special concession was made and the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the September CPI last Friday, with the SSA making the COLA announcement that morning. In 2026, all Social Security benefits will receive a 2.8% increase, and this includes spousal benefits. Here is what you need to know.
Social Security benefits get a 2.8% bump in January
Throughout the year, Social Security experts share estimations for the next COLA increase using the data that is available to date. This way, retirees can have an idea of what to expect from the increase and are not too surprised when the announcement is officially made. The last projection before the official announcement estimated a COLA of 2.7%, which turned out to be quite close to the officially confirmed increase of 2.8%.
According to the SSA, “over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1 percent. “
On average, the 2026 COLA bump will bring an additional $56 to benefit checks, bringing the average benefit up to around $2,071 per month. Retiree benefits are not the only type of benefit that will be impacted by the COLA increase. All benefits issued by the SSA will be adjusted for inflation in January, and this includes the Supplemental Security Income, and spousal benefits, amongst others.
Since the COLA increase is a percentage increase to benefits, the exact figure that will be reflected in benefit checks will differ from recipient to recipient. As such, the SSA will begin mailing out personalized notices to recipients outlining their specific increase. Alternatively, the COLA increase can be viewed online through the recipient’s my Social Security account, also starting in early December.
“Social Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we are working to make sure benefits reflect today’s economic realities and continue to provide a foundation of security,” said Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “The cost-of-living adjustment is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.”
Spousal benefits also set to increase in the new year
If the spouse of a retired worker is claiming their spousal benefits, they will only be entitled to one half of the full benefit that the retired worker would qualify for at their respective full retirement age. The SSA also notes the following regarding spousal benefits: “If the spouse begins receiving benefits before normal (or full) retirement age, the spouse will receive a reduced benefit. However, if a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced.”
According to estimates from the SSA, “the average spousal benefit, which was $955 in August 2025, will jump to $982.” This translates to an increase of $27 on average, which is about half of the average increase for a retiree earning Social Security benefits.
The aforementioned $27 increase to the spousal benefit is merely an average, and as noted above, the actual figure will differ from person to person relative to the lifetime earnings of the retired worker.