Social Security COLA 2026 Announcement date: On Tuesday, October 14, it was reported that the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment or COLA announcement has been delayed. The U.S. government said it will no longer happen on Wednesday, October 15. The delay came because employees at the Bureau of Labor Statistics were temporarily suspended.
More than 70 million Americans rely on Social Security as a main source of income. The annual COLA decides how much extra money beneficiaries will get in 2026 to keep up with rising living costs. The COLA is a benefit adjustment based on changes in the consumer price index.
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Social Security COLA 2026 Announcement date
The Senior Citizen’s League (TSCL) predicts that the COLA will be 2.7%. TSCL Executive Director Shannon Benton said, “With the cost-of-living adjustment announcement just around the corner, seniors across the United States are holding their breath. While a higher cost-of-living adjustment would be welcome because their monthly benefits will increase, many will be disappointed.”
TSCL research shows that many seniors feel the adjustment does not fully reflect the inflation they face. The COLA will apply to all benefits starting January 2026. This includes retirement benefits, spousal benefits based on partner’s earnings, survivor benefits, Supplemental Security Income, and Social Security Disability Insurance.
New Announcement Date
The Social Security Administration confirmed to Newsweek that the COLA update will now be announced on October 24. An SSA spokesperson said, “The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has announced that it will issue the September 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) on October 24.” The SSA will use this CPI release to determine and announce the 2026 COLA on the same day.
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Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for 75 million Americans will adjust according to the new COLA starting January 1, 2026, without any delay caused by the government funding lapse.
How it is Calculated?
The SSA calculates COLA using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or CPI-W. This reflects inflation based on the spending habits of younger urban workers not retirees.
The BLS collects this data and produces other key economic indicators. Since 1975, SSA has issued COLA each year using CPI-W figures from the third quarter, July to September, to help benefits keep pace with common expenses like food and medicine.
