Social Security Payments Could Rise by Up to 3.6% Next Year

Ahead of next year's Social Security benefits, estimates suggest that recipients can expect a bump in their payments. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is used to calculate the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which could hit 3.4%, 3.6%. While this may seem like a significant increase, it's essential to note that these projections are based on current data and might change with new inflation readings.

According to Coinpaper's forecast, a 3.5% COLA would add around $73 per month to the average retired-worker benefit of approximately $2,086 in July 2026, making it around $2,159. A 3.6% increase would be slightly higher, at about $75 more per month.

It's worth noting that these figures are estimates and not set in stone until the official October release of inflation data for the third quarter of this year.