Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is one of the most visible “automatic” updates retirees receive—and it can shape how households think about inflation, budgeting, and income stability. For 2026, Social Security beneficiaries and SSI recipients will receive a 2.8% COLA. While that increase can help offset rising costs, it does not affect every budget category equally—especially when healthcare, insurance, and household essentials move at different rates than broad inflation measures. This post explains what the 2026 COLA means in plain language, when changes show up, what other 2026 Social Security figures are worth noting, and a short checklist to help retirees update their income plan without overreacting to a single number.