Why Some Seniors Will See Almost $100 More per Month in 2026 While Others Get Much Less 

Did you just hear that Social Security benefits are increasing in 2026? This is great news for millions of retirees across America. However, not everyone will see the same boost to their monthly checks. 

Some seniors will receive nearly $100 more each month starting in January. Others might only see a fraction of that amount. You might be wondering why there's such a big difference. Let's break down exactly what determines how much extra money you'll receive. 

The 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment Explained 

Social Security announces a cost-of-living adjustment every year. This adjustment helps benefits keep pace with inflation. The COLA for 2026 is set at 2.5 percent. 

This percentage applies to everyone receiving Social Security benefits. However, the dollar amount you receive depends entirely on your current benefit. A percentage increase means different things for different people. 

Think about it this way. If you earn 2.5 percent interest on $100, you get $2.50. But if you earn that same percentage on $1,000, you receive $25. The same principle applies to Social Security benefits. 

Who Gets the Biggest Increase? 

The seniors receiving nearly $100 more per month are typically those with the highest current benefits. These are individuals who earned higher wages throughout their working careers. They also likely worked for many years before retiring. 

Maximum Social Security benefits in 2025 sit at $4,873 per month. These go to workers who earned the maximum taxable amount for 35 years. They also delayed claiming until age 70. 

With a 2.5 percent COLA, these high earners will see an increase of about $122 per month. That translates to roughly $1,464 more per year. This is the upper end of what any retiree can expect. 

Average Benefit Increases Look Different 

Most retirees don't receive the maximum benefit amount. The average Social Security retirement benefit in 2025 is around $1,927 per month. This figure represents what typical retirees actually receive. 

For someone getting the average benefit, a 2.5 percent increase means about $48 more per month. That works out to approximately $576 extra per year. While this is less than the maximum, it still helps with rising costs. 

This is where many seniors will land. If your benefit falls near the national average, expect an increase in this range. It's not nearly $100, but it provides some relief. 

Why Some Seniors Get Much Less 

Lower-earning workers naturally receive smaller Social Security checks. Some people worked fewer years before claiming benefits. Others had careers with lower wages or took time off from the workforce. 

If your monthly benefit is $1,000, a 2.5 percent increase only adds $25. That's just $300 more per year. While every dollar counts, this increase might not feel substantial. 

Some seniors also receive spousal or survivor benefits. These are often lower than retirement benefits based on your own work record. The COLA applies to these benefits too, but the dollar amounts remain smaller. 

Additional Factors That Affect Your Increase 

Medicare Part B premiums get deducted directly from Social Security checks. These premiums typically increase each year as well. The 2026 premium hasn't been announced yet, but it usually goes up. 

This means your net increase might be less than expected. You could see a $50 benefit increase but only receive $30 more after the premium hike. This is something many retirees don't anticipate. 

Some seniors also have other deductions from their Social Security. These might include income taxes if your total income exceeds certain thresholds. Federal tax withholding, Medicare premiums, and garnishments can all reduce your net benefit. 

How Your Work History Determines Your Benefit 

Social Security calculates your benefit using your 35 highest-earning years. The system indexes these earnings for inflation. It then applies a formula to determine your primary insurance amount. 

If you worked less than 35 years, zeros get averaged into the calculation. This significantly lowers your benefit amount. Each zero year brings down your average earnings. 

Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits. However, Social Security uses a progressive formula. Lower earners get a higher percentage of their wages replaced. Higher earners get a lower percentage, even though their dollar amount is larger. 

When Your Claim Makes a Huge Difference 

Claiming age dramatically impacts your monthly benefit. You can start as early as 62, but your benefit gets reduced permanently. Full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67, depending on your birth year. 

If you delay past full retirement age, your benefit increases. For each year you wait until 70, you earn delayed retirement credits. These credits add 8 percent per year to your benefit. 

Someone who claimed at 62 will always have a lower benefit than someone who waited until 70. Both receive the 2.5 percent COLA, but they're starting from very different amounts. This creates the wide gap in dollar increases. 

Planning for Your 2026 Increase 

You should receive a notice from Social Security by December. This letter will show your exact 2026 benefit amount. It will also detail any changes to Medicare premiums. 

Don't make major financial decisions based on estimates alone. Wait for your official notice to see your actual increase. The difference between gross and net increases can surprise many retirees. 

Consider how this increase fits into your overall retirement budget. While any raise helps, it might not keep pace with your personal expenses. Some costs rise faster than the general inflation rate used for COLA calculations. 

Making the Most of Your Benefits 

If you're still working and haven't claimed yet, consider your timing carefully. Delaying benefits increases your monthly payment permanently. This means larger dollar amounts from future COLA increases too. 

Review your earnings record on the Social Security website regularly. Errors can reduce your benefit amount. Correcting mistakes now ensures you receive everything you've earned. 

Understand that Social Security was designed as a foundation, not your sole income source. The benefit increases help, but additional retirement savings provide more security. Whether you receive $25 or $100 more monthly, planning ahead makes a real difference. 

The 2026 COLA brings good news for all Social Security recipients. Just remember that your specific increase depends on your current benefit amount. Your work history, claiming age, and other factors all play a role in determining what you'll receive.