3 important Social Security changes coming in 2026

Social Security is entering its 10th decade. The popular federal program began in 1935, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act into law. Through the years, there have been several major changes to Social Security, including a gradual raising of the full retirement age from 65 to 67.

More changes to Social Security are on the way. Here are three important ones coming in 2026.

1. Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)

The most important Social Security change next year for beneficiaries is the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Last month, the Social Security Administration announced that benefits will increase by 2.8% beginning in January 2026. The average Social Security retirement benefit will increase by roughly $56 per month.

This adjustment is bigger than the 2.5% increase received in 2025. However, it's lower than the average COLA of 3.1% over the last 10 years.

Not everyone is happy with a 2.8% bump. Shannon Benton, executive director for The Senior Citizens League, a nonprofit advocacy group for seniors, stated, "The 2026 COLA is going to hurt for seniors." Benton and her organization would like for Congress to modify how the COLA is calculated to better reflect the costs incurred by seniors.