Learn about the Social Security COLA projection for 2026, including what it is, how it's calculated and what it means for your retirement — updated for August 2025.

The 2025 Social Security COLA will be calculated using inflation numbers from Q3 of 2024 and 2023. Inflation could move higher in Q3 this year because of increased oil prices. A lot can change in ...

Aside from 2022 (which influenced the 2023 COLA), when the U.S. experienced its highest inflation in 40 years, medical costs have routinely outpaced Social Security COLAs.

The Social Security Administration will calculate the official COLA by taking the average inflation rate during July, August and September of 2024 and comparing it to that average from 2023.