India, Sept. 20 -- Social Security beneficiaries are expected to see a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of about 2.7% to 2.8% in 2026, according to the latest projections, according to CNBC report. That would be slightly higher than the 2.5% increase in 2025. The Social Security Administration will release the official number in mid-October 2025, once September inflation data is finalized.

For the average retiree collecting about $2,008 per month, the projected adjustment equals about $54 more each month. If the final number is 2.8%, the monthly increase would be a dollar or two higher.

The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which tracks inflation during July, August, and Septe...