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Here’s the 2026 cost-of-living boost for veterans, military retirees
The Cost of Living Adjustment for 2026 will be 2.8%, a few ticks higher than the 2025 COLA, Social Security Administration officials announced Friday.
The long-awaited COLA announcement sets the rate of increase for Social Security beneficiaries, but also for military retirees and people receiving veterans benefits. The increase goes into effect in January.
Nearly 71 million people receive Social Security benefits, officials said, estimating that on average, the monthly benefit will increase by $56.
As an example, a military retiree who receives $2,500 in retired pay will see a COLA increase of about $70 a month.
For a veteran receiving $1,500 per month in benefits, the increase would be about $42 in 2026.
Many federal retirees get 2.8% in 2026 COLA, but some to see a smaller increase
The 2026 COLA of 2.8% will be added to retirement benefits beginning in January. But FERS retirees will receive a 2% “diet” COLA.
Starting in January 2026, many federal retirees will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in their Social Security benefits and federal retirement annuities.
That’s a higher rate than last year, and higher than projections set by AARP and the Senior Citizens League. About 75 million people, including retirees and individuals with disabilities, receive Social Security benefits.
The annual COLA is meant to keep federal retirees’ and Social Security recipients’ benefits on pace with rising inflation. But not everyone will receive the full adjustment.
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Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026 | SSA
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Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January.
Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1 percent. The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025.
Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some recipients receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).