Dólar – Foto: OlyaSolodenko/istock
The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) announced in November a 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and Supplemental Income Benefit (SSI) beneficiaries. This adjustment, which is slightly higher than the 2.5% increase granted in the previous year, aims to mitigate the loss of purchasing power for retirees and individuals receiving SSI due to high inflation. Rising prices have affected several sectors, from energy and gasoline to the cost of food, putting pressure on family budgets. Although the adjustment is based on 2025 costs, most beneficiaries will only start receiving the additional amounts at the beginning of 2026.
Payment calendar and key date for first increase
Social Security beneficiaries should note that the 2.8% increase in their payments will take effect starting in January 2026. The exact date of the credit varies depending on the beneficiary’s birth date, following a fixed schedule.
Those born between the 1st and 10th of any month receive payment on the second Wednesday of the month. Those born between the 11th and the 20th will have the deposit made on the third Wednesday. Beneficiaries born from the 21st to the end of the month receive it on the fourth Wednesday.
SSI beneficiaries, however, will get their first increase a little earlier, on December 31, 2025. This advance occurs because January 1 is a federal holiday, New Year’s Day, and Social Security Administration rule provides that when the payment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the deposit is made on the last business day of the month to come.nterior.
Value projection: how much more beneficiaries will receive
The value of the benefit is determined by multiple factors, including previous earnings, salary contribution time and the individual’s retirement age. As of August 2025, the average benefit for a retired worker is estimated to be just under $2,008 per month.
With the application of the 2.8% adjustment, the average retiree should see an increase of approximately $56 per month in their payments.
SSI also has variations based on employment and outside income, but the current maximum monthly benefit is $967 for individuals and $1,450 for couples. The 2.8% adjustment would increase the maximum individual monthly payment to $994 and the maximum monthly payment for couples to $1,491.
Criticisms of the COLA calculation formula and proposals for change
An advocacy group focused on seniors in the United States, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), criticized the adjustment, saying the 2026 COLA is not enough to cover rising costs.
The organization argues that the apResidents face increases in the prices of essential items such as housing, food and, mainly, medical care, which consume a disproportionate part of the benefit. Criticism points out that annual Social Security increases have been modest and insufficient to prevent the elderly population from falling into poverty.
TSCL formally proposed that SSA change the basis for calculating cost-of-living adjustments. The group advocates replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban and Salaried Workers (CPI-W) with the Consumer Price Index for Seniors (CPI-E).
- The CPI-E is specifically based on the spending patterns of Americans 62 years of age and older.
- This change would better reflect the real costs of aging, such as healthcare and rent.
In addition, the organization expressed support for a system called “CPI Best,” which would establish the annual COLA increase based on the highest of the CPI-W, the CPI-E, or a guaranteed minimum increase of 3%. The group also proposed a one-time compensation payment of $1,400 for eligible seniors, reinforcing that the current formula for calculating the COLA is outdated and does not reflect the true spending of this age group.
SSI details and payment dynamics
Subsequent SSI payments, after the December advance, are made monthly, generally on the 1st of each month. If this date falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is processed on the last business day of the previous month, ensuring that beneficiaries have access to funds within the stipulated deadline.ulated.
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