Social Security COLA Announcement Delayed Due to Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON — The announcement of the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients has been postponed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This announcement was originally scheduled for October 15 but will now occur on October 24, the Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed.

Approximately 75 million Americans, including retirees, disabled individuals, and children, depend on Social Security benefits. The annual COLA is determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures inflation in the third quarter of the year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was set to release the September inflation report on October 15, but this data is now delayed as government services are currently disrupted. The SSA stated that the shutdown will not affect the disbursement of benefits, ensuring that COLA adjustments will still occur starting January 1, 2026.

Experts predict that the upcoming COLA may be around 2.7%, which would provide an increase of about $50 each month for the average Social Security recipient, whose current monthly benefit is approximately $1,864. This anticipated figure represents a small increase from the 2.5% COLA that was implemented for 2025.

The largest COLA in recent years was an increase of 8.7% seen in 2023, due to significant inflation spikes following the pandemic. However, subsequent adjustments have leveled off as inflation rates moderated.

Mary Johnson, a Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, noted, “Even a small adjustment helps offset rising costs that retirees face.” Nevertheless, some beneficiaries may find their COLA increase diminished due to rising Medicare Part B premiums, which are typically deducted from Social Security payments.

Despite the delay, SSA spokespersons assured that all benefit payments will proceed as scheduled. “Adjustments will apply retroactively if necessary,” they stated, providing some reassurance to those awaiting their checks.

With the anticipated COLA announcement set for October 24, many look forward to gaining insight into how their benefits will change in the coming year, especially amid ongoing budget discussions in Congress.