4 Social Security Changes Retirees Need to Know About in 2026

One of these changes means bigger benefit checks, and another could slash checks by a lot.One of the most important sources of your retirement income is likely to be Social Security, but it might not provide as much as you expect. As of January, the average monthly benefit check was just $2,075 -- or nearly $25,000 for the year. Still, it's critical to learn about Social Security and keep up with its changes in order to get the most out of the program. Here are some changes to know about. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Expect your Social Security benefits to be bigger Social Security benefits increase over time via nearly annual cost of living adjustments (COLAs). The latest increase, for 2026, was 2.8%. If you were collecting, say, $2,000 per month in 2025, you'd be receiving $2,056 in 2026. If you haven't yet started receiving your benefits, give some thought to delaying doing so. While you can start collecting at age 62, you can also delay until age 70. Your checks will get bigger the longer you delay, and the larger your check, the larger each increase will be, too. The table below shows how much of your full Social Security benefits you'll receive, depending on when you claim them and when your full retirement age is: Start Collecting at: Full retirement age of 66 Full retirement age of 67 62 75% 70% 63 80% 75% 64 86.7% 80% 65 93.3% 86.7% 66 100% 93.3% 67 108% 100% 68 116% 108% 69 124% 116% 70 132% 124% Source: Social Security Administration. It might seem like a no-brainer move to delay, but remember that those starting early will collect many more checks than those who delay. Those who live average-length lives will collect roughly the same total benefits, regardless of when they start collecting. Still, various studies have found that for most (but not all) people to maximize total benefits, the best age at which to claim Social Security is 70. 2.

Your Social Security check may end up smaller Many Social Security beneficiaries have their Medicare premiums automatically paid from their Social Security benefits. For 2026, though, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B is rising by a whopping 9.7%, from $185 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026. While your benefit check might have grown by 2.8%, more will be taken out for Medicare, which will reduce the monthly amount you receive. 3. More income is being taxed The maximum earnings subject to being taxed for Social Security has risen from $176,100 in 2025 to $184,500 in 2026. All earnings up to that greater sum will face the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax that you'll likely spot on your paystub. 4.

The Social Security surplus is running dry While headlines may suggest that Social Security's coffers will soon be unable to pay beneficiaries at all, that's wrong. However, the program is facing a shortfall. If nothing is done to strengthen it, Social Security's trust funds' surplus will run out within this decade, resulting in benefits shrinking to around three-quarters of the amount due to beneficiaries. That's a big deal -- a cut of around 24% is far more important than a 2.8% increase, after all. It's worth learning all you can about Social Security, including how to maximize your benefits.Read NextFeb 14, 2026 •By Maurie Backman2 Reasons I'll Be Taking Social Security Long Before Age 70Feb 14, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPWhat's the Ideal Age to Start Saving for Retirement?Feb 14, 2026 •By Reuben Gregg BrewerWhy Starting Small Works: How a 1% Starter Position Can Build Big Gains Over TimeFeb 14, 2026 •By Dana GeorgeI Thought I'd Wait Until 70 to Claim Social Security. Now I've Changed My Mind.Feb 14, 2026 •By Maurie Backman3 Reasons to Choose a Roth 401(k) Over a Traditional 401(k) for Retirement SavingsFeb 13, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanThe 1 Account Every Retirement Saver NeedsAbout the AuthorSelena Maranjian is a contributing personal finance and investing expert at The Motley Fool. Selena has produced The Motley Fool’s nationally syndicated newspaper feature since 1997. She is the author of The Motley Fool Money Guide and Investment Clubs: How to Start and Run One the Motley Fool Way, and the co-author of The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens and several editions of The Motley Fool Investment Tax Guide. Prior to The Motley Fool, she worked as a high school teacher and public opinion analyst. She holds a master’s degree in teaching from Brown University and a master’s degree in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.TMFSelena