Why 2026 Social Security Check May Feel Smaller Than Anticipated

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 2.8% cost-of-living accommodation for benefits paid starting successful January 2026. While that mightiness dependable similar a clean, across-the-board raise, the magnitude that ends up successful your slope relationship is your nett benefit; not your gross benefit.

In plain English, that means for galore retirees, the real-world boost tin consciousness smaller than 2.8% acknowledgment to automatic deductions, Medicare premium changes and taxation withholding.

Social Security’s 2026 COLA is 2.8%. The agency’s ain information expanse showed however that plays retired for mean benefits: The estimated mean retired-worker payment rises from $2,015 to $2,071 — a quality of astir $56 a month.

That’s the before-deductions number. Your deposit tin beryllium little due to the fact that Social Security whitethorn withhold wealth for Medicare premiums, voluntary taxation withholding oregon different authorized offsets.

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For astir radical connected Medicare, Part B premiums are deducted automatically from Social Security.

For 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) acceptable the modular Medicare Part B premium astatine $202.90 per period — up from $185 successful 2025. Even if your Social Security payment rises, a higher Part B premium tin trim however overmuch of the COLA you really feel.

There’s a Medicare regularisation often called the “hold harmless” proviso that tin forestall your Social Security cheque from going down solely due to the fact that Part B premiums rose. However, according to Medicare Interactive, it doesn’t use to everyone.

For example, immoderate radical who are caller to Medicare, radical who are billed straight oregon radical paying income-related premium surcharges are unaffected.

If your income is supra definite thresholds, Medicare adds income-related monthly accommodation amounts (IRMAA) to Part B and Part D. The SSA publishes a 2026 premium illustration showing that higher modified adjusted gross income tin trigger higher Part B premiums and Part D adjustments.

The important constituent for your 2026 Social Security deposit is that IRMAA is commonly deducted the aforesaid mode Part B premiums are. This tin marque your nett summation look overmuch smaller than 2.8%, particularly if you crossed into a higher bracket based connected your taxation return.

If your income dropped owed to a qualifying beingness event, SSA allows you to petition a little IRMAA determination (including via SSA-44).