"As top congressional Republican and Democratic leaders dig in their heels-a signal that the ongoing federal government shutdown may continue for a while-many older Americans are wondering if they will still get their Social Security checks, and questioning how a prolonged showdown will affect their future benefits. Currently, thousands of federal employees are working without pay and President Donald Trump is threatening mass federal layoffs."
"However, the furlough could delay the SSA's announcement, scheduled for next week on October 15, on how much Social Security checks will increase in 2026 as a result of cost-of-living adjustments, or COLA. That increase is based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) inflation numbers for September, due to come out October 15. The problem is all of that bureau's 2,055 employees, except one person, have been furloughed,"
Social Security retirement and disability benefits continue to be issued during the federal government shutdown, while about 12% of Social Security Administration staff are furloughed. Medicare and Medicaid payments continue for now. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has furloughed nearly all of its 2,055 employees, which could delay the September inflation report and thus postpone the calculation and announcement of the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The Senior Citizens League estimates a roughly 2.7% COLA, about $54 monthly on an average $2,007 benefit. The White House has threatened mass federal layoffs, and Senate efforts seek temporary funding through November 21.
Read at Fast Company
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