A group of Democratic Senators has introduced a bill that would increase Social Security benefits by $200 a month for half of 2026. But it wouldn’t be just traditional Social Security recipients who would see the boost.
The Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act would provide the extra $200 a month, starting in January 2026 and running through July 2026. The increase is designed to offset higher prices due to inflation, according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY.
“Seniors face difficult decisions as they see their bank accounts shrinking and the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is simply not reflective of the current reality,” Schumer said. “I urge Republicans to join with us to help offset the cost of Trump’s inflationary trade war and give seniors the money they deserve.”
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The bill covers the 71 million Americans who receive Social Security benefits, as well as the additional 7.5 million who get Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, payments. SSI covers low-income seniors and people with disabilities. The increase would also cover those receiving federal railroad retirement payments, disabled veterans and those receiving veterans’ pensions.
The boost would be on top of the 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment that beneficiaries are set to receive in January 2026.
The COLA increase will average an additional $56 a month for the average beneficiary, some of which will be eroded by higher Medicare premiums. Medicare Part B premiums for 2026 are $206.50 a month, an increase of $21.50 from 2025.
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