Social Security’s 2026 COLA Announcement Back On Track As Shutdown Forces BLS To Make Rare Exception – Financial Freedom Countdown
In a rare move amid the ongoing government shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced Friday that it will still release the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report on October 24 clearing the way for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on the same day.
The decision reverses earlier fears that millions of retirees would be left waiting indefinitely for word on their benefit increases.
The CPI release is crucial because it determines how much Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will rise next year.
Even though funding for the BLS was frozen under the shutdown, the agency was instructed to recall limited staff to complete and publish the data.
Officials said the release ensures that the SSA can meet federal deadlines for announcing COLA increases before November 1, as required by law.
Political Pressure and the Power of Seniors
The decision to resume the CPI release highlights the enormous political power of America’s 75 million Social Security recipients.
A delay in the COLA announcement risked sparking outrage among seniors expecting an inflation-based raise.
According to one White House official, the administration viewed the report as “statutorily essential,” since the data directly impacts legally mandated benefit adjustments.
Shutdown Still Halting Other Economic Reports
While the BLS will publish the CPI report, it confirmed that no other economic releases; including the monthly jobs report and producer price index will be issued until the government reopens. “This release allows the Social Security Administration to meet statutory deadlines necessary to ensure the accurate and timely payment of benefits,” the agency said in a statement.
The exception underscores how vital the inflation data is for the nation’s retirees.
SSA Confirms COLA Will Be Announced October 24
Following the BLS announcement, the SSA said it will officially unveil the 2026 COLA on October 24, aligning with the CPI release.
That clears up days of confusion after earlier reports suggested a potential delay. The SSA reassured beneficiaries that there will be no interruption or delay in their benefit payments, and that the annual COLA calculation will proceed on schedule.
Federal Law Ensures COLA Announcement by November 1
A White House official told Axios that federal law mandates the SSA to calculate and publish COLA data before November 1 each year. This legal requirement effectively forced the government to prioritize the CPI release despite the shutdown. By recalling key staff to finish the report, officials ensured the SSA could meet its obligations and prevent any delay in payments or announcements.
2026 COLA Still Expected Around 2.7%
According to preliminary estimates from the Senior Citizens League, the 2026 COLA will likely come in around 2.7%, slightly above this year’s 2.5% adjustment. That would increase the average monthly retirement benefit by roughly $54, from $2,008 to $2,062.
While not a large raise, it’s an important lifeline for retirees struggling to keep up with persistent inflation in housing, healthcare, and groceries.
Earlier Concerns Sparked Anxiety
Before Friday’s reversal, the SSA and outside analysts warned that the CPI delay might push back the COLA announcement.
That uncertainty created widespread anxiety among retirees, many of whom depend heavily on Social Security as their primary source of income. A government shutdown could have caused a delay, but it’s reassuring that the administration prioritized the CPI.
The Bottom Line: Raises Are Safe, Data Is Coming
The 2026 COLA announcement will go forward as planned, and seniors can expect their annual benefit adjustment without disruption.
While the broader government remains at a standstill, the administration’s decision to push through the inflation report underscores how critical Social Security is; politically, economically, and socially to tens of millions of Americans.
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IRS Rolls Out New Form to Claim Trump’s Tax Breaks For Seniors, Tips, Overtime, and Car Loans
The Internal Revenue Service has released an early draft of a new form that will make it easier for working Americans to take advantage of tax breaks included in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The new two-page form, Schedule 1-A, will allow taxpayers to claim deductions on tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and enhanced senior benefits beginning with 2025 returns filed next year. The changes mark a rare expansion of tax relief for Americans; extending benefits to those who take the standard deduction as well as those who itemize.
IRS Rolls Out New Form to Claim Trump’s Tax Breaks For Seniors, Tips, Overtime, and Car Loans
Social Security’s “Full Retirement Age” May Get a Rebrand; But Critics Say It Misses the Real Problem
Most Americans don’t actually know when they qualify for their full Social Security benefits. A recent survey by the Nationwide Retirement Institute found that only 21% of adults could correctly identify the age when they can claim 100% of their earned benefits. The confusion isn’t surprising; the program’s terminology has long been a tangle of jargon and outdated phrases.
Starting September 30, 2025, the Trump administration will end the use of paper checks for Social Security benefits, completing the Social Security Transition to Electronic Payments. While more than 99% of seniors are already set up electronically, a small group still receiving paper checks must act now to avoid payment delays. Beneficiaries who haven’t switched yet will need to enroll in direct deposit or request a Direct Express card to keep their monthly benefits arriving on time. This change is part of a broader government effort to reduce fraud, improve efficiency, and save taxpayer dollars.
Trump’s Social Security Upgrade Ends Paper Checks on Sept. 30. What Seniors Must Do Now
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John Dealbreuin came from a third world country to the US with only $1,000 not knowing anyone; guided by an immigrant dream. In 12 years, he achieved his retirement number.
He started Financial Freedom Countdown to help everyone think differently about their financial challenges and live their best lives. John resides in the San Francisco Bay Area enjoying nature trails and weight training.
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