Good news may be coming to Social Security beneficiaries.
Social Security recipients may see their benefits increase by $200 thanks to a new proposal put forth by a group of Democratic Senators.
The proposal, coined the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act, would bump benefit amounts starting in January 2026 and run through July 2026.
According to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the increase is designed to offset higher prices caused by inflation.
“The cost of everything from coffee to beef to health care is up, in large part due to Trump’s chaotic tariffs,” Warren said in a statement. “This new legislation to expand Social Security is an emergency lifeline for seniors struggling to afford Trump’s tariffs and rising inflation.”
If approved, the $200 increase would be paid to Supplemental Security Income recipients, railroad retirement, disabled veterans and those receiving veterans’ pensions.
The increase would be in addition to the 2.8% Cost of Living increase beginning in January 2026.
Backing the bill are Democratic senators: Mark Kelly of Arizona, Alex Padilla of California, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer of New York, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Peter Welch of Vermont.
COLA 2026
Every year the Social Security Administration calculates how inflation affects the cost of living and then adjusts benefits for nearly 71 million Americans depending on those benefits to survive.
In 2026, the increase is 2.8%.
“On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January,” the agency announced.
COLA increases are determined by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from July to September of the calendar year.
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