Retirement Social Security

You Have Less Than 7 Weeks to Prepare for 8 Big Social Security Changes

Get ready for 2026's key Social Security rule changes.

By Katy Willis

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Nov. 18, 2025

It's already mid-November, which means you've got just under 7 weeks before the 2026 Social Security changes kick in. This is your window to get ahead of any changes that could affect your benefits.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has finalized next year's cost–of-living adjustment (COLA), earnings limits, taxable wage base, work-credit amounts, disability thresholds, and more.

Know what the changes are and what, if any, adjustments you need to make to maximize your senior benefits and avoid costly mistakes.

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COLA is set at 2.8%

The official 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is set to 2.8%. Based on this figure, the average retired worker's benefit is set to rise from about $2,015 to $2,071 in January (or December 31 for those on SSI), which is approximately a $56 per month increase.

Note that this is only the average figure. Your specific benefit is based on your 35-year earning record, the age at which you filed for your benefit, and any adjustments for delayed retirement credits (DRCs).

To find out how much your new gross benefit is, log into your "my Social Security" account in late November or early December to read your COLA notice.

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Earnings test limits rise

If you claim before your full retirement age (FRA) and continue to work, the earnings test applies. For 2026, the limit is rising from $23,400 per year to $24,480, or $2,040 per month. Anything you earn above that amount, the SSA withholds $1 for every $2 that you earn.

In the year you reach FRA, the limit has risen from $62,160 per year to $65,160, or $5,430 per month, and the SSA only withholds $1 for every $3 you earn above this threshold. The earnings test stops at the beginning of the month you reach FRA.

Withholding is usually in the form of one or more reduced or skipped checks until the SSA has withheld the necessary amount. Then, once you reach FRA, the SSA adjusts your benefit upward to credit those withheld months back to you.

The taxable wage base rises

Workers and the self-employed will see the Social Security contribution and benefit base increase from $176,100 to $184,500 in 2026. The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) tax rate remains at 6.2% for employees and 12.4% for the self-employed.

Someone earning at or above this cap will pay up to $11,439 in OASDI for the year. If you or your spouse still works, make sure you update your payroll or quarterly estimates accordingly so you're not surprised by a big tax bill in April. You can also have the SSA withhold federal income tax automatically from your check, at 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%.

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It takes more to earn a work credit

To earn a work credit toward Social Security eligibility, instead of $1,810, you now need to earn $1,890 of covered earnings in 2026. You can still only earn a maximum of four credits per year.

If you already have a full 40 credits to qualify for Social Security, then this doesn't matter for you. However, if you're still trying to reach the 40-credit eligibility threshold and you're a part-time worker, map out the minimal work needed to capture all four credits efficiently for the year.

SSI federal benefit rates increase

The 2026 federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit standard rises from $967 to $994 per month for an eligible individual and from $1,450 to $1,491 for an eligible couple. Some states add supplements, so your actual amount can be higher, depending on where you live.

Because SSI eligibility depends on strict income and resource limits, any annual changes can shift whether someone qualifies or needs to re-verify their status. The new figures take effect on December 31, 2025.

Disability thresholds and work incentives adjust upward

The 2026 substantial gainful activity thresholds rise from $1,620 to $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and from $2,700 to $2,830 per month for those deemed statutorily blind.

The Trial Work Period amount also increases from $1,160 to $1,210 per month, allowing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries to test out work without immediately losing their benefits.

These increases change how disability recipients navigate part-time work or phased returns to employment. With inflation accounting for much of the adjustment, the updated amounts don't have a huge impact, but they do offer slightly more flexibility for anyone who needs to balance health and mobility issues with limited work activity.

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The maximum benefit at full retirement age increases

People first claiming at full retirement age in 2026 can receive a maximum of $4,152. Remember that this is the maximum benefit and is only achievable if you earned at or above the taxable maximum for all of your 35-year earning record.

If you hit that highest level of earnings record and decided to claim early as soon as you become eligible at 62, you'd reduce your check by about 30% to a maximum of $2,906 per month. However, if you decided to delay until 70 to maximize your DRCs, you'd receive $5,148 per month.

Most retirees won't hit those numbers, though, since the maximum requires a lifetime of earnings at or above the wage cap. To find out your own numbers, log into your "my Social Security" account and check your COLA notice in late November.

Family and survivor benefit amounts rise with wage indexing

You'll also see higher family maximums and survivor benefits taking effect in 2026, based on wage indexing. The formulas used to figure out the benefit amount haven't changed, but the "bend points" or dollar amounts the SSA uses within their calculations did go up in relation to wage indexing and COLA.

For retirement beneficiaries, the family maximum formulas remain the same, producing a range between 150% and 180% of the worker's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). On the disability side, the disability family maximum formula stays the same, too, falling between 100 and 150% of the worker's PIA. This determines how much eligible dependents can receive on top of the worker's own payment.

A widow or widower at FRA can receive 100% of the worker's benefit, while eligible children receive 75%, and a surviving parent caring for the worker's child can also receive 75%.

The total household amount is capped by the updated 2026 family maximum, which means some families will see a higher combined limit next year than they did in 2025.

Bottom line

With less than seven weeks to go, it's important that you know what changes are coming and how they impact your income. Beyond just looking at your new gross benefit, you'll need to account for deductions like Medicare Part B, taxes, and earnings test withholdings.

To avoid making retirement money mistakes, it might be worth speaking to a retirement planner. At the very least, you need to review your net benefit and adjust your budget accordingly so you're prepared for the January Social Security changes.

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