HIGHER SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT 2026

(October 24th): Social Security announced a 2.8% benefit increase for 2026. This will increase the average monthly Social Security benefit for disability beneficiaries from $1,586 to $1,630. The COLA will take effect beginning in January 2026.

WHY YOU WON'T SEE MUCH OF THAT INCREASE IN 2026

While Social Security benefits will increase by an average of $44 per month next year, the Part B Medicare premium will also increase by about $22 per month, immediately wiping out about one-half of the COLA . Grocery prices are predicted to increase between 2.8 percent and 7.5 percent in 2026. So, don't kid yourself. You are not keeping up with the cost of inflation, which is shrinking our livelihood hour by hour.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announces the amount of the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) the third week of October, to take effect the following January.

In January, the AVERAGE Social Security disability benefit will increase by about $44. Sadly, this does NOT keep up with the inflated cost of living. (I am betting that your grocery bill will increase by a lot more than 2.8 percent in 2026, as will your electricity, gas, insurance and most other necessities.