United States Social Security COLA 2026
United States Social Security for 2026: the cost-of-living adjustment, taxable earnings maximum and the distinction from Medicare payroll tax.
- 2026 cost-of-living adjustment
- 2.8%SSA, 2026 COLA fact sheet
- 2026 Social Security taxable maximum
- $184,500SSA, 2026 COLA fact sheet
The benefit adjustment
SSA’s fact sheet states that Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income recipients receive a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, based on the increase in CPI-W from the third quarter of 2024 through the third quarter of 2025. SSA, 2026 COLA fact sheet (opens in a new tab).
Maximum taxable earnings
The 2026 maximum taxable earnings for Social Security (OASDI only) are $184,500. The Social Security portion is 6.2 percent on earnings up to that maximum. Medicare’s 1.45 percent portion applies to all earnings, with no taxable earnings limit. SSA, 2026 COLA fact sheet (opens in a new tab).
Scope
This guide reports the published adjustment and earnings ceiling without estimating individual benefits, net payments, withholding or self-employment tax. General information only, not personalised tax, insurance or retirement advice.