Summary
Social Security payments for January 2026 will be distributed this week. These payments include a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to help offset inflation. The adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index, which measures changes in the cost of living.
Key Facts
- Over 70 million Americans rely on monthly Social Security payments.
- The payments this week are the first for 2026, incorporating a 2.8 percent COLA.
- The COLA aims to help beneficiaries cope with rising costs like food and housing.
- The SSA uses data from the Consumer Price Index to calculate the annual COLA.
- Beneficiaries receive payments on different dates based on their birthdays.
- The average retirement benefit will increase by about $56 a month due to the COLA.
- Medicare Part B premiums are expected to increase by nearly 10 percent.
- Payments are scheduled for January 14, 21, and 28, depending on birth dates.
