Tens of millions of seniors may have to wait longer to find out how much their Social Security checks will rise next year.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is expected to announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on Oct. 15, the same day the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) planned to release September’s inflation data. But with most BLS employees furloughed amid the government shutdown, economic reports — including the inflation update — could be delayed, USA Today reported.
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The SSA cannot calculate the annual COLA without the inflation report, according to USA Today.
Although the COLA announcement may be delayed, Social Security payments will continue as usual, since its funding is not tied to Congress’ annual budget process, according to USA Today.
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“A government shutdown could potentially delay an announcement of the COLA, but remember, the data is for September and that has already been collected,” Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, told USA Today.
The only time a COLA announcement has been delayed was in October 2013, according to USA Today.
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Last month, the Senior Citizens League (TSCL) estimated that the Social Security COLA would be 2.7% when it is unveiled in mid-October. That would raise the average monthly benefit for retired workers by $54 from $2,008 to $2,062.
Social Security’s COLA is used to adjust the amounts paid to beneficiaries to account for inflation pushing prices higher. The COLA for 2025 was 2.5% and took effect at the start of the year.
The Social Security Administration did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
FOX Business’ Eric Revell contributed to this report.
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