The 2026 Social Security Increase is Official: Here's Your New Payment Amount

Everyone's been feeling the pinch at the grocery store and the pharmacy, and the big question has been: will Social Security help? The wait is over. The Social Security Administration has officially announced the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, and we have the final numbers. In this video, we break down exactly what the new 2.5% COLA means for your monthly check. We'll show you the new average payment, the increase for maximum benefit recipients, and what you can expect if you're on a smaller benefit. But most importantly, we cover the hidden details most people miss. Before you start planning, you NEED to know about the new Medicare Part B premium increase for 2026. We'll show you how much that deduction will be and how to calculate your real net payment so you aren't caught by surprise. We also cover payment dates, taxation, and how this impacts SSI.