Social Security gets a shake in 2026, and 3 changes can surprise retirees

  • The maximum profit limit will increase in 2026, so some workers will have more salaries to cover social security taxes.

  • The full retirement age of social security (FRA) will increase in 2026, so workers born in 1959 will reach FRA at 66 and 10 months.

  • Social security beneficiaries will receive a life cost adjustment (COLA) in 2026; The evaluation of the trustees’ assessment will increase by 2.7%.

  • Social Security Bonus in the amount of $ 23,760 most retirees completely overlook ›

Social security benefits are often the most important source of retired workers’ income. However, many Americans are incomprehensible aspects of the program and the gaps in knowledge can lead to bad financial decisions.

For example, studies by Depositaccounts and the National Institute of Retirement suggest that most people between the ages of 45 to 60 believe that social security will expire funding throughout their lives. But the program is funded mainly by pay taxes, so it cannot expire funding unless all Americans stop working.

Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of workers claim pension benefits as soon as possible (ie at 62) each year. Some choose this because they mistakenly believe that social security is guided by bankruptcy. However, this strategy usually returns, since starting social security at the most early age for a request will lead to a permanently reduced benefit.

Changes in social security are made every year to maintain the benefits of inflation and salaries. Here are three changes coming in 2026 that may surprise some retirees.

Image source: Getty Images.

The National Institute of Retirement reports 74% of the adults surveyed incorrectly marks the following statement FALSE: “Workers pay taxes on social security on all their income.” This is a common misconception. While the program receives the most revenue (more than 90%) from deducting pay tax, the amount of income subject to this tax is limited by law.

The important thing is that the maximum profit limit is usually increased every year to take into account the increase in average salary. For example, wage tax was applied to $ 176,100 in 2025, which is $ 168,000 in 2024.

In general, workers owe 6.2% of the profits below the maximum, but any income above the limit is not taxed. Someone who earns $ 200,000 this year will owe the same amount as someone making $ 2 million.

The Social Social Security Council estimates that the maximum taxable profit limit will be $ 183,600 in 2026, in which case the maximum amount that one could owe to taxes will be $ 11,383.20, compared to $ 10,025.

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