Retirement Social Security

4 Ways Millions of Americans Could Lose Social Security Benefits in 2026

Hidden deductions, taxes, and policy rules could leave retirees with smaller Social Security checks next year — even if gross benefits rise.

By Adam Palasciano

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Jan. 28, 2026

Social Security is designed to provide a stable income in retirement, but many recipients may see their monthly checks fall short of expectations. If you're a retiree looking to lower your financial stress, understanding what reduces benefits can be just as important as knowing your gross payment. In 2026, several familiar factors may quietly shrink take-home benefits, even if headline adjustments appear positive. These reductions are often structural, not mistakes — and they may catch retirees off guard.

Here are some of the most common reasons Social Security benefits may feel smaller in 2026.

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Less buying power thanks to inflation

One of the most overlooked ways retirees lose value from Social Security is through declining purchasing power. Even when benefits increase, those adjustments do not always keep pace with the real costs retirees face, particularly for housing, food, and medical care. Over time, this gap erodes what monthly checks can actually buy.

According to the Social Security Administration, the 2026 COLA for benefits is just 2.8%.

Meanwhile, the most recent inflation report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the CPI hovers around 2.7% as of December 2025.

Because the latest COLA barely outpaces inflation, many retirees experience stagnant buying power rather than meaningful financial improvement.

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Increased Medicare premiums

Medicare premiums are another major reason Social Security checks shrink before they ever reach retirees' bank accounts. Most beneficiaries have Medicare Part B premiums automatically deducted from their Social Security payments, reducing the amount they actually receive each month. When premiums rise faster than COLAs, net benefits can decline even in years with increases.

For 2026, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that the standard Part B premium will rise to $202.90, up from $185 in 2025. That increase alone can offset much of the annual COLA for many retirees. Higher-income beneficiaries may face even higher premiums, further reducing their checks.

Working a lot while collecting benefits before full retirement age

Retirees who claim Social Security before reaching full retirement age (FRA) may see benefits withheld if they continue working and earn above certain thresholds. This rule, known as the earnings test, can significantly reduce monthly payments in the short term. While benefits are later recalculated, the immediate impact can feel like a penalty.

For 2026, individuals who remain below FRA for the entire year lose $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above $24,480. Those who reach FRA during the year face a more generous threshold but still lose $1 for every $3 earned above $65,160. These limits can surprise retirees who expect work income to supplement, rather than reduce, their benefits.

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Taxes on Social Security benefits

Taxes are one of the most common — and least understood — reasons retirees lose part of their Social Security income. Roughly half of all beneficiaries now owe federal taxes on their benefits, and that share continues to grow. The issue stems from income thresholds that have not been adjusted for inflation since the 1980s.

Social Security benefits become taxable when provisional income exceeds $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for married filers. Because more retirees cross these limits each year, taxes now affect a broader portion of recipients. In some cases, up to 85% of benefits can be included in taxable income, further shrinking net payments.

How to supplement your Social Security benefits

Because these reductions are often unavoidable, retirees look for ways to supplement Social Security income. Earnings from part-time work after reaching FRA or income from investments can help fill gaps without triggering benefit reductions. Planning withdrawal strategies carefully can also limit taxes and Medicare surcharges.

Other options include delaying benefits to earn higher monthly payments or coordinating spousal benefits to increase household income. Small adjustments can add flexibility and reduce reliance on Social Security alone. Over time, these strategies may help retirees manage expenses more effectively.

Bottom line

Social Security benefits can shrink for many reasons in 2026, including inflation that barely keeps pace with rising costs, higher Medicare premiums, earnings limits, and taxes. These factors often reduce take-home payments even when gross benefits increase.

Understanding how these rules work — and planning around them — can help you anticipate changes, protect cash flow, and stretch your retirement dollars further as economic conditions evolve.

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