Social Security recipients are gearing up for a modest but important boost in 2026. Preliminary forecasts show the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increasing to 2.7%, up slightly from last year’s 2.5%. This translates to an average monthly benefit rise of about $54 for the typical retired worker, raising checks from roughly $2,008 to around $2,062. While this increase offers some relief, it may only partially offset the real-world costs retirees face today.