Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase by 2.8% in 2026, impacting approximately 75 million Americans. This Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) aims to help retirees, disabled workers, and low-income beneficiaries combat inflation. Most beneficiaries will receive higher payments starting in January 2026, with the exact date depending on their birth date. SSI recipients will see their first raise on December 31, 2025. Despite the increase, some beneficiaries may find it insufficient to cover rising essential costs like healthcare and housing.