Millions in the United States will receive a Social Security increase before January: Check if you are among the beneficiaries

Millions of Social Security beneficiaries in the United States will receive before the end of the year the increase corresponding to the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, according to a confirmation from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

According to a report published by The Miami Herald, the increase will be 2.8%, which translates to an average of about 56 additional dollars per month for retirees.

The increase aims to offset the impact of inflation on food and service prices, which disproportionately affects elderly individuals with fixed incomes.

The first group to receive the increase will be the beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which includes adults over 65 years old and individuals with disabilities and limited resources.

These payments, which are usually made on the first day of each month, will be advanced to December 31 due to the fact that January 1 is a holiday.

According to the Social Security Administration, the maximum amount for SSI will be $994 for an individual and $1,491 for a couple.

Additionally, the beneficiaries will receive two deposits in December, although the second officially corresponds to the payment for January.

The payment schedule for January 2026 for the remaining Social Security beneficiaries will depend on their birth dates: those born between the 1st and the 10th will be paid on January 14; those born from the 11th to the 20th will be paid on the 21st; and those born from the 21st to the 31st will be paid on the 28th.

The authorities reminded that the increases are applied automatically, and no additional procedures are required.

However, the increase in benefits may be offset by the rise in the Medicare Part B premium, which will go up from $185 to $202.90 per month, and by the annual deductible, which will also increase by $26.

The annual cost of living adjustment aims to preserve the purchasing power of retirees and Social Security beneficiaries, which in 2025 totals over 74 million people throughout the United States.