Social Security beneficiaries are likely to see a larger cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2026 due to persistent inflation, according to recent estimates. The COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures average annual inflation from July through September. The final adjustment will be announced after the release of September's CPI data in mid-October.

The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) estimates a 2.7% COLA increase , while the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget predicts a slightly higher 2.8% adjustment. This increase would raise the average monthly benefit for retired workers by approximately $54, from $2,008 to $2,062.

The official COLA will be announced in October, following the release of Septemb

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