When the Social Security COLA is announced later this month, here's what to expect.

The Social Security Administration, marred by delays during a federal government shutdown, announced on Friday a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, above estimates from advocacy groups as benefits keep pace with inflation.

The Social Security cost-of-living increase will go up by 2.8% in 2026, which translates to an average increase of more than $56 for retirees every month.

Military retirees and disabled veterans will receive 2.8% increases to their monthly paychecks for 2026, thanks to the annual Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, tied to inflation. The 2.8% raise for 2026 is up from 2.5 % in 2025 after a string of raises as high as 8.7% in 2023.

Rules are changing. Here's what they're likely to look like next year, so you'll know exactly what to expect if you're working and collecting benefits.

The 2026 COLA of 2.8% will be added to retirement benefits beginning in January. But FERS retirees will receive a 2% “diet” COLA.