More than five million Floridians who depend on Social Security will start the new year with higher monthly payments, as the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment takes effect in January.
The payment dates themselves are not changing, but the amounts deposited will be larger, offering a modest financial lift to retirees, disabled workers, and families across the state
Florida is one of the nation’s largest Social Security states. As of December 2023, over 5 million residents were receiving benefits, according to data from the AARP.
That total includes more than 3.9 million retired workers, roughly 478,000 disabled workers, about 401,000 spouses or survivors, and nearly 240,000 children. Taken together, nearly 1 in 5 people in Florida relies on Social Security in some form.
Beginning in January, those benefits will rise by 2.8 percent under the annual cost-of-living adjustment.
For Florida recipients, the increase works out to an average of about $56 more per month, according to the Social Security Administration. The adjustment is applied automatically, meaning beneficiaries do not need to take any action to receive the higher amount.
What to expect from January payment dates and the 2026 COLA
Despite the increase, Social Security payments will be issued on the same schedule recipients are used to.
Retirement and other standard Social Security benefits are paid on Wednesdays, with the specific date determined by the beneficiary’s birth date.
Those born between the first and 10th of the month will receive payments on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Birthdays from the 11th through the 20th are scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21, while those born between the 21st and 31st will be paid on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Supplemental Security Income, which supports people age 65 or older with limited income as well as individuals with qualifying disabilities, follows a different calendar. SSI payments are generally issued on the first day of the month, unless that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday. In those cases, payments are sent on the prior business day.
The 2.8 percent adjustment for 2026 was announced on Oct. 24 and is tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as CPI-W. This index tracks price changes for everyday necessities such as groceries, rent, transportation, and medical care. Each year, the Social Security Administration uses that data to determine whether benefits should be increased to preserve purchasing power.
Over the past decade, COLA increases have averaged about 3.1 percent. The adjustment for 2025 was 2.5 percent, the smallest increase since 2021, reflecting a period of easing inflation. The slightly higher increase for 2026 suggests that while inflation has cooled, household costs continue to climb.
What to do if your Social Security payment does not arrive
- If the deposit does not appear on the scheduled date, the SSA recommends following these steps:
- Contact your bank or financial institution first, as there may be a delay in posting the payment.
- If the problem persists, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local office.
- The agency itself states: “We will review the case and, if the payment is due, we will replace it“.
