Social Security COLA increase for 2026: Will the shutdown delay your big boost? Find out now

Social Security COLA increase for 2026 is now facing fresh uncertainty. The ongoing government shutdown could delay the official COLA announcement that millions of retirees are waiting for. Inflation data needed to calculate the adjustment hasnt been released yet, pushing the timeline further. But heres the good news — your Social Security payments and the January 2026 COLA boost arent at risk. So, will your big raise arrive late or right on time? Heres what you need to know.