Average Social Security benefit for retirees will be about $2,071 per month in 2026.

The average retired worker is set to receive $2,071 per month in Social Security benefits in 2026. That reflects a 2.8% cost-of-living increase, roughly $56 more each month.

The Social Security Administration has announced the average monthly benefit for retired workers in 2026. The average retired worker will receive $2,071 per month. Individual payments will differ based on when a person begins benefits and on past earnings. For people born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age is 67. Each year the agency applies a cost-of-living adjustment to reflect changes in prices. What was announced: - Average monthly benefit for retired workers in 2026: $2,071. - 2026 benefits include a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, about $56 more per month for the average retired worker. - A worker can begin benefits as early as age 62, which lowers monthly payments; waiting past full retirement age raises them up to age 70. - Benefits are calculated from the average indexed monthly earnings in a person’s highest-earning 35 years. - The COLA is calculated using an inflation index from the third quarter of the prior year. Summary: The 2026 average benefit rises to $2,071 per month, reflecting a modest 2.8% increase. How much someone will receive still depends on their work history and the age they begin claiming benefits. For now, we will stick to the confirmed facts.