The Social Security COLA announcement date is a key moment for millions of Americans waiting to see how much their benefits will rise.
Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) releases the cost-of-living adjustment in October, after the Bureau of Labor Statistics finalizes inflation data.
Understanding the Social Security COLA announcement date helps you anticipate when you’ll know your benefit increase and how to plan ahead.
What is the Social Security COLA announcement date?
The Social Security COLA announcement date is the day in October when the SSA officially declares the percentage increase (if any) for that year’s Social Security and SSI benefits.
The announcement is based on inflation data from the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners) during July, August, and September.
On October 10, 2024, the SSA announced a 2.5 percent COLA for 2025.
How is the Social Security COLA announcement date determined?
The Social Security COLA announcement date aligns with the SSA’s need to use the full third-quarter inflation data.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the CPI-W figures for July, August, and September in early to mid-October.
Once that data is final, SSA can compute the COLA and announce it.
The SSA’s official COLA page confirms that “We will announce the next COLA in October 2025.”
When was the most recent Social Security COLA announced?
The most recent Social Security COLA announcement date occurred on October 10, 2024.
On that date, the SSA determined a 2.5 percent increase for 2025 benefits.
The announcement is posted publicly via the SSA’s “Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)” page.
What is the expected Social Security COLA announcement date for 2026?
The Social Security COLA announcement date for 2026 is expected to fall around mid-October 2025, likely October 15, 2025.
This is based on the BLS timing of CPI-W releases and how the SSA has scheduled past COLA announcements.
What happens after the Social Security COLA announcement date?
Once the Social Security COLA announcement date arrives and the SSA announces a percentage, the increase is applied beginning with benefit payments in January of the following year (or December for SSI).
Beneficiaries also receive notices, many via the my Social Security message center in December.
Why is the Social Security COLA announcement date important?
The Social Security COLA announcement date matters for several reasons:
- It determines how much your benefit will increase due to inflation.
- It gives retirees and beneficiaries time to adjust their budgets for the upcoming year.
- It allows SSA and other agencies to align thresholds (e.g., taxable maximum, earnings limits) with inflation.
- It prevents delays in issuing benefit amounts for January, ensuring financial stability.
Can the Social Security COLA announcement date change?
While the Social Security COLA announcement date has historically fallen in October, it is not set in law with a fixed calendar day.
It is tied to when the BLS publishes the CPI-W data.
The date might shift slightly due to data release schedules or administrative reasons, but October remains the designated month.
