The tens of millions of Americans who rely on Social Security benefits should be aware of some upcoming changes that may impact their monthly checks in 2026.
In 2025, an average of nearly 69 million Americans per month were collecting Social Security benefits, totaling roughly $1.6 trillion in benefits paid during the year, according to the Social Security Administration.
Social Security benefits represent about 31% of income for Americans aged 65 and older, the administration said, making the monthly checks an invaluable asset for millions of aging citizens.
Changes announced throughout the year will increase monthly benefit amounts for millions of Americans and adjust several earnings thresholds related to the program.
Here’s a look at four major Social Security changes to be aware of in 2026.
Higher monthly benefits
Each year, Social Security benefits are subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment based on inflation rates to ensure that monthly payments keep pace with rising costs.
In October, the SSA announced that beneficiaries will see a 2.8% increase for 2026.
Those who receive Social Security benefits will start seeing higher payments in January, while those receiving SSI will see them starting Dec. 31.
Cost-of-living adjustments are determined using third-quarter data – July, August and September – from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
Inflation for those three months is added together, averaged and then compared to the previous year’s third-quarter average, with the percentage difference between the current year and the previous year serving as the COLA rate for the upcoming year.
Payroll taxes
Those paying into Social Security will have more of their income subject to payroll taxes in 2026, with the taxable maximum increasing from $176,100 to $184,500.
As a result, high earners will have more of their income taxed for Social Security.
Earnings test limit
For those below the normal retirement age, which is 67 for those born 1960 or later, Social Security withholds benefits if your earnings exceed a certain level through the administration’s earnings test.
The earning test limit, which is how much a beneficiary can earn before some of their benefits are withheld, will increase in 2026.
For those who will be under the full retirement age for the entirety of 2026, the limit will rise from $23,400 to $24,480. Those reaching full retirement age in 2026 will see their limit increase from $62,160 to $65,160.
The earnings test does not apply to recipients who have already reached full retirement age.
Maximum benefit
The maximum benefit one can receive from Social Security will increase from $5,108 in 2025 to $5,251 in 2026.
However, most recipients will likely receive a much lower amount, with the average monthly benefit for retired workers sitting at $2,013.32 as of November 2025, according to data from the Social Security Administration.
Monthly retirement benefit amounts vary based on when a worker retires and how much they earned, with those who earned more during their careers and retired later in life having higher maximum benefit amounts.