Richard Stephen / Getty Images
Social Security payments changed at the start of 2026 with a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and higher earnings limits for the year.
Those updates happen automatically, which leads many retirees to assume the rest of their benefit is fixed. In reality, several decisions made during the year can still change what arrives each month.
Your Social Security check could be higher in 2026. Here’s how to fix it before it’s too late.
Take Advantage of the 2026 Changes
The 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment began with the January 2026 payment and happens automatically. COLA cannot be changed, but understanding the 2026 rules can help prevent reductions.
For example, the Social Security wage cap also rose to $184,500 in 2026. For people still working, earnings up to that level count toward future benefit calculations and can slightly raise payments later.
Read More: How Much the Average Upper-Class Retiree Spends Monthly at Age 69
Find Out: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K per Month From Home
Delay Claiming
Waiting longer to file can raise the 2026 payment and the amount received for life.
After full retirement age, Social Security adds delayed retirement credits of about 8% per year until age 70. Even people who claimed within the past 12 months may withdraw the application, repay benefits and restart later at a higher amount.
Advertisement
Stay Under the Earnings Limit
Working while collecting Social Security before full retirement age can change how much is paid in 2026.
Benefits are temporarily withheld once earnings pass the annual limit, $24,480, if under full retirement age all year, or $65,160 in the year full retirement age is reached before that month. Keeping income under those levels or shifting work later in the year can preserve more of the current payments.
Work Another Higher-Income Year
Social Security is based on the highest 35 years of earnings. A strong income year before claiming can replace a lower year and raise the starting benefit.
Continuing to work in 2026 at a higher wage can lift the amount used in the calculation, especially for people with gaps or low-earning years. This has the biggest impact for people who have not claimed yet or are close to filing.
Adjust Withdrawals To Keep More
Withdrawals from traditional IRAs or 401(k)s can make more of the benefit taxable by raising provisional income. Higher income can also trigger Medicare IRMAA premiums, which further reduce the monthly payment.
Using a coordinated drawdown plan, such as mixing taxable and tax-free sources when possible, can leave more net Social Security in 2026 even if the gross benefit does not change.
Bottom Line
While the 2026 COLA is automatic, the final payment amount is not. Claim timing, earnings limits and coordinated withdrawals can still raise what actually arrives this year. Taking action before those rules lock in can mean more Social Security in each 2026 check.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Your Social Security Check Could Be Higher in 2026 — Here’s How To Fix It Before It’s Too Late