This has been a unique year, with Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) reveal delayed by nine days due to the federal government shutdown. Social Security benefits will climb by 2.8% in 2026, which marks the fifth consecutive year that recipients have received at least a 2.5% year-over-year increase.

The Social Security Administration released its annual cost-of-living adjustment on Friday, and it will take effect starting next year.