Key changes to US Social Security for 2026: From increases to wage limits

Key changes to US Social Security for 2026: From increases to wage limits

US Social Security Changes for 2026: Increased Payments and Limits Amid Inflation Challenges As 2026 begins, the US Social Security Administration (SSA) has introduced a series of routine annual adjustments to keep pace with the rising cost of living. However, these changes come amidst a turbulent economic climate marked by significant federal budget cuts, making it difficult to predict the stability of future payments. Here are the key changes that will appear on this month's checks that beneficiaries should be aware of: 1. Slight Increase in Monthly Payments (COLA 2026) The SSA implemented a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), a smaller increase than many expected. The average monthly increase amounts to about $56 more for the average beneficiary. While this may seem positive, reports indicate that the actual inflation rate in 2025 was around 3%, meaning the increase hasn't fully kept up with the rising cost of living. 2. Increased Earnings Test Limits For those still working a…

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