Social Security is about to shift again in 2026, and those updates could impact both retirees and workers. From how much money shows up in your monthly check to the age you’ll qualify for full benefits, the program is making important adjustments for millions of Americans.
Some of the biggest changes include a new full retirement age, a projected cost-of-living adjustment, and higher income limits for taxes and earnings. Here, we’ll break down the updates so you can see what’s coming and how it might affect your benefits.
6 Social Security updates coming in 2026
Every January, the Social Security Administration adjusts the program to reflect inflation and demographic trends. Some changes are minor, but 2026 brings a few that will directly influence benefits and retirement planning.
1. Full retirement age reaches 67
In 2026, the full retirement age (FRA) officially rises to 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. That means younger boomers and Gen X workers will now need to wait until 67 to receive 100% of their benefits. Retiring earlier will still be possible at age 62, but checks will be permanently reduced. On the flip side, delaying benefits until age 70 will increase monthly payments by as much as 8% per year.
2. Cost-of-living adjustment looks modest
The annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is expected to be about 2.7%. That’s slightly above the 2025 increase of 2.5% but still low compared to inflation spikes seen earlier in the decade. For the average benefit of $2,006.69, the increase would mean about $54 more per month. However, higher Medicare Part B premiums will absorb a large share of that bump, leaving retirees with closer to $33 extra each month.
3. Earnings limits rise
If you collect benefits while still working, the earnings test sets how much you can make before Social Security withholds part of your check. In 2026, those thresholds will climb again. For workers under full retirement age, the limit will increase from $23,400 in 2025 to about $24,360. For those reaching FRA during the year, the limit will go up to roughly $64,800. These higher limits allow beneficiaries to earn more before benefits are reduced.
4. Higher taxable wage base
Each year, Social Security sets a cap on the amount of earnings subject to the 6.2% payroll tax. In 2026, the maximum is projected to rise to $183,600, up from $176,100 in 2025. That means high earners will pay Social Security taxes on a larger portion of their income, with an added cost of about $465 for the year.
5. More required to earn credits
To qualify for Social Security, you need 40 work credits. In 2025, one credit is earned for each $1,810 in wages or self-employment income, up to four credits per year. That threshold will increase again in 2026, though the SSA hasn’t released the exact number yet. For younger workers still building toward eligibility, this means needing slightly higher earnings to secure each credit.
6. Trust fund outlook worsens
Perhaps the most pressing issue is the status of the Social Security trust fund. According to the latest Trustees Report, the program is just seven years away from insolvency. If Congress doesn’t act, benefits could be cut by about 23% once reserves run out. Lawmakers have proposed measures like the Social Security Fairness Act and senior tax deductions, but those changes reduce program revenue and push insolvency closer.
