Social Security 2026 COLA: Who Gets Paid Early and How Much

How Social Security 2026 COLA works

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA), usually in October each year. The COLA applies to benefits payable in January of the following year.

That means any increase labeled the 2026 COLA will be applied to benefits payable in January 2026. SSA calculates the COLA from changes in the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers).

Who gets paid early with the Social Security 2026 COLA

Most retirement and disability beneficiaries receive their January payment on a set Wednesday in January based on birth date. Those payments are not moved into December.

However, some Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients may get their January (COLA-adjusted) payment at the end of December. SSI payments are normally scheduled for the first of the month, but if the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSA makes the payment on the previous business day.

Summary: Who might get the COLA payment early

SSI recipients whose January payment date falls on a weekend or holiday — SSA may pay the January benefit on the last business day of December.
Most retirement and SSDI beneficiaries do not get January payments in December; their payment schedule stays in January.

Payment schedules explained

Understanding schedules makes it clear who might see money earlier.

Retirement and disability benefits (for people who started receiving benefits after 1997) are paid on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month based on birth date.
SSI benefits are usually paid on the first of the month. If the first is a weekend or holiday, SSA pays the previous business day.

How to estimate your 2026 COLA increase

You can estimate the dollar increase for 2026 once the COLA percentage is announced. The formula is simple:

New benefit = Current benefit × (1 + COLA percent)
SSA rounds COLA calculations to the nearest whole dollar (SSA typically drops cents and issues whole-dollar amounts).

Step-by-step estimate

Check your current gross monthly benefit from your most recent benefit statement or My Social Security account.
Use the announced COLA percentage (for example, 3% = 0.03).
Multiply current benefit × (1 + COLA). Then round down to the nearest dollar if that is how SSA will handle it.

Example case study

Case: Mary is a retiree who currently receives $1,500 per month. Suppose SSA announces a 3% COLA for 2026.

Calculation: $1,500 × 1.03 = $1,545. SSA issues whole dollars, so Mary would receive $1,545 per month starting with the benefit payable in January 2026.

If Mary were an SSI recipient whose January payment is scheduled for Jan 1 but that date falls on a Saturday, SSA would likely pay that January check on the last business day of December. In that situation Mary effectively receives her COLA-adjusted January benefit a few days early.

Did You Know?

SSI payments are scheduled for the first of the month and are advanced to the previous business day if the first falls on a weekend or holiday — which can result in some SSI recipients getting their COLA-adjusted January payment in late December.

Practical steps to check your status

To confirm whether you will be paid early and how much you’ll receive, follow these steps:

Log in to your My Social Security account for the most accurate benefit amount and payment date.
Look for SSA announcements in October for the official 2026 COLA percentage.
Check the calendar: if Jan 1 falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI January payments may be sent in late December.
Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office if you have questions about your schedule or if an unexpected payment date occurs.

Common questions about the 2026 COLA and early payment

Will everyone get more money in December? No. Only SSI recipients whose January payment is scheduled on a weekend/holiday may receive their January (COLA-adjusted) payment in late December.

Do retirement and SSDI recipients see any different timing? No. Those groups will receive the COLA in their regular January payments according to the Wednesday schedule tied to birth date.

Final tips

Plan for the announced COLA in October, then use the announced percentage to calculate your new monthly benefit. If you rely on SSI, check the calendar for January and watch for an earlier deposit in late December.

Keep records, check your online Social Security account, and contact SSA if an amount or date looks incorrect. Small differences can happen due to rounding and tax withholding choices.