"Seniors on Social Security got some positive news this past October - word of a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. This year's COLA is not going to break any records. However, it's a bit higher than the 2.5% COLA Social Security recipients got in 2025. Now that the new year has begun, you may be wondering when your Social Security COLA will hit. Here's a rundown of what to expect in terms of COLA timing."
"You may be hoping to get a large boost in buying power once your 2026 Social Security COLA arrives. Unfortunately, you may be in for disappointment. First, if you're on Medicare, expect an increase in the cost of Part B to eat into your upcoming raise. Secondly, if tariffs drive prices upward, you may find that your 2.8% COLA does not give you a lot more buying power. Of course, the opposite could also happen."
Social Security beneficiaries receive a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, slightly higher than the 2.5% COLA in 2025. Benefits are paid on specific Wednesdays each month based on birthdate: second Wednesday for birthdays 1–10 (Jan 14), third Wednesday for 11–20 (Jan 21), and fourth Wednesday for 21–31 (Jan 28). Medicare Part B premium increases can reduce the net benefit of the COLA. Tariffs and broader economic conditions could push prices up or, if they slow demand, bring prices down, making the COLA more or less effective. Recipients who rely on Social Security should prioritize maximizing the value of their raise.
Read at 24/7 Wall St.
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