An important step Social Security retirees shouldn’t miss on Oct. 15
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Some dates slip by without much notice, while others carry weight that can affect millions of people.
There are moments when paying attention to a single announcement could change what your finances look like for the next year.
For those relying on steady monthly payments, timing becomes more important than it might first appear. And this October, one day in particular will matter more than most.
On Oct. 15, 2025, retirees receiving Social Security benefits will want to circle the date on their calendars.
That’s when the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release the inflation data needed to calculate the following year’s cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.
Once those numbers are in, the Social Security Administration will finalize and announce how much the benefits will rise in 2026.
The change, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, ensures payouts don’t lose ground to inflation.
The COLA announcement usually arrives just hours after the inflation data is released at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
Retirees can find the official news directly on the SSA’s Communications Corner webpage, where a press release typically outlines the exact percentage increase.
While media outlets will also share the update quickly, those wanting the information directly from the source should head there.
The announcement not only confirms the adjustment but also directs retirees to resources for estimating their new monthly benefits.
Also read: Social Security bump in 2026 may not help as much as you think
The Senior Citizens League currently projects a 2.7% COLA for 2026, which is slightly higher than this year’s 2.5% increase.
That figure is also just above the long-term average of 2.6% for the 21st century, though it falls well short of the unusually high adjustments of recent years.
Still, the increase represents a modest but meaningful bump for millions of households depending on Social Security. However, what actually shows up in bank accounts will tell a more complicated story.
Medicare Part B premiums are expected to rise 11.6% in 2026, eating away a significant portion of the COLA for most retirees.
Also read: Big Social Security changes are coming in 2026—here’s what to know now
For those receiving the average benefit, roughly 40% of the projected adjustment could be offset by the premium hike alone.
That makes the Oct. 15 announcement not just a matter of curiosity but a critical moment for financial planning.
Retirees will need to weigh how the balance between benefits and deductions will affect their budgets in the year ahead.
Read next: A 2.8% Social Security COLA is on the horizon for 2026—but will it keep up with Medicare’s rising costs?
When Oct. 15 arrives, will you be checking the SSA’s announcement yourself or waiting for the headlines to spread through the news? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know how much weight you place on the yearly COLA updates.
There are moments when paying attention to a single announcement could change what your finances look like for the next year.
For those relying on steady monthly payments, timing becomes more important than it might first appear. And this October, one day in particular will matter more than most.
On Oct. 15, 2025, retirees receiving Social Security benefits will want to circle the date on their calendars.
That’s when the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release the inflation data needed to calculate the following year’s cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.
Once those numbers are in, the Social Security Administration will finalize and announce how much the benefits will rise in 2026.
The change, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, ensures payouts don’t lose ground to inflation.
An important step Social Security retirees shouldn’t miss on Oct. 15. Image source: Thiago Barletta / Unsplash
The COLA announcement usually arrives just hours after the inflation data is released at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
Retirees can find the official news directly on the SSA’s Communications Corner webpage, where a press release typically outlines the exact percentage increase.
While media outlets will also share the update quickly, those wanting the information directly from the source should head there.
The announcement not only confirms the adjustment but also directs retirees to resources for estimating their new monthly benefits.
Also read: Social Security bump in 2026 may not help as much as you think
The Senior Citizens League currently projects a 2.7% COLA for 2026, which is slightly higher than this year’s 2.5% increase.
That figure is also just above the long-term average of 2.6% for the 21st century, though it falls well short of the unusually high adjustments of recent years.
Still, the increase represents a modest but meaningful bump for millions of households depending on Social Security. However, what actually shows up in bank accounts will tell a more complicated story.
Medicare Part B premiums are expected to rise 11.6% in 2026, eating away a significant portion of the COLA for most retirees.
Also read: Big Social Security changes are coming in 2026—here’s what to know now
For those receiving the average benefit, roughly 40% of the projected adjustment could be offset by the premium hike alone.
That makes the Oct. 15 announcement not just a matter of curiosity but a critical moment for financial planning.
Retirees will need to weigh how the balance between benefits and deductions will affect their budgets in the year ahead.
Read next: A 2.8% Social Security COLA is on the horizon for 2026—but will it keep up with Medicare’s rising costs?
