Social Security Beneficiaries to See 2.8% Increase in 2026—Here’s How to View Your New Benefit Online

Roughly 75 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2026. For many, this annual increase is vital to keeping up with rising costs—and this year, recipients are being encouraged to go digital to access their updated benefit information faster and more securely.

Who Will Receive a COLA Notice?

Retirement, survivor, and disability beneficiaries, as well as SSI recipients and their representative payees, will all receive official COLA notices. These notices detail exactly how much the benefit increase will be and when it goes into effect.

While traditional paper notices will still be mailed, those who have a my Social Security account can view their updated benefit amount online as early as late November, up to three weeks earlier than by mail.

To access the notice digitally, beneficiaries must log in to or create a my Social Security account and update their Communication and Notification Preferences to receive messages online. To get the benefit notice early, users are encouraged to take action by November 19.

Why Create a My Social Security Account?

A personal my Social Security account provides a safe, convenient way to manage your benefits without waiting for paperwork in the mail. Here’s what users can do through their account:

• View COLA notices and tax documents (such as the 1099 and 1042S forms)
• Request a replacement Social Security card
• Check the status of benefit claims
• Change your address or direct deposit details
• Access benefit verification letters

The account is free to use, available online 24/7, and regularly updated with new features designed to improve user experience. It’s an important step toward modernizing how Americans interact with the Social Security Administration (SSA), offering a more secure and faster way to stay informed.

As the SSA continues to expand its digital tools, creating an account not only ensures you get timely updates—it also helps reduce paper waste and mailing delays.

To set up your account or learn more, visit the official Social Security website at ssa.gov/myaccount.