US Social Security News Today, November 26, 2025: Final November Checks, 2026 COLA Boost, and New Rule Changes

On November 26, 2025, the Social Security Administration completes November payments while beneficiaries brace for a 2.8% COLA in 2026, rising Medicare premiums, stricter overpayment rules, and the fallout from a shelved disability eligibility overhaul.

Key points at a glance

Final November 2025 Social Security payments are being issued today, November 26, for beneficiaries with birthdays from the 21st to the 31st. ^[1]
A 2.8% Social Security COLA takes effect in January 2026, lifting the average retired worker benefit to $2,071 per month. ^[2]
Medicare Part B premiums will jump nearly 10% in 2026 to $202.90 a month, which will eat into many retirees’ COLA gains. ^[3]
Quiet but important rule changes are coming in 2026, including higher payroll tax caps, new earnings-test thresholds, tougher overpayment collections, and the final shift of full retirement age to 67. ^[4]
Social Security has abandoned a controversial plan to tighten disability eligibility, after pushback from advocates and members of Congress. ^[5]
Lawmakers are pushing a temporary $200-per-month boost to Social Security checks for early 2026, but the proposal has not yet become law. ^[6]

Final November Social Security payments hit accounts today

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is wrapping up its November 2025 payment cycle today, Wednesday, November 26, with the final round of retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. ^[7]

Who is getting paid today?

Today’s payments go to:

Beneficiaries whose birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of any month, and
Who started receiving benefits after May 1997, and
Do not receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). ^[8]

Earlier waves this month covered:

November 12 – birthdays 1st–10th
November 19 – birthdays 11th–20th
Separate dates applied to people on SSI or those who began receiving Social Security before May 1997. ^[9]

The vast majority of payments now arrive via direct deposit or Direct Express debit cards, with paper checks being phased out in most cases. ^[10]

How much are today’s payments?

Benefit amounts depend on lifetime earnings and the age at which someone claimed. For 2025, official SSA figures show that a worker retiring this year with maximum taxable earnings can receive: ^[11]

$2,831 per month if they file at age 62
$4,018 per month at full retirement age (currently 67)
$5,108 per month if they delay until age 70

Many beneficiaries, of course, receive less than the maximum. SSA data cited in recent coverage put the average retired-worker benefit at about $2,008 per month in 2025. ^[12]

If a payment expected today doesn’t show up, SSA and financial institutions generally advise waiting three business daysbefore contacting the agency, to allow for bank processing delays. ^[13]

December 2025: A “three-payment month” for some beneficiaries

As soon as this month’s payments settle, attention shifts to December’s unusual calendar, which creates a sort of “triple-payment month” for some low-income beneficiaries.

According to SSA’s published schedule and news outlets that track it, December 2025 is set up as follows: ^[14]

Monday, December 1 – SSI payments
Wednesday, December 3 – Social Security for people who also receive SSI or who started benefits before May 1997
Wednesday, December 10 – Birthdays 1st–10th
Wednesday, December 17 – Birthdays 11th–20th
Wednesday, December 24 – Birthdays 21st–31st
Wednesday, December 31 – January 1, 2026 SSI payment paid early, because January 1 is a federal holiday

For SSI recipients who also receive Social Security, this means two SSI deposits (Dec. 1 and Dec. 31) plus a Social Security check in the same calendar month. But it’s crucial to stress: this is a timing shift, not extra money—the early deposit simply moves a January 2026 SSI check into late December 2025. ^[15]

2026 COLA: 2.8% Social Security raise kicks in January

The biggest backdrop to today’s payments is the confirmed 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026.

The COLA is calculated using the CPI-W inflation index from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025. Based on that formula, Social Security and SSI benefits for about 75 million Americans will rise 2.8% starting with payments payable in January 2026. ^[16]

Key numbers from the SSA’s official 2026 COLA fact sheet: ^[17]

2.8% COLA for all Social Security and SSI beneficiaries
Maximum taxable earnings for Social Security tax: jumps from $176,100 in 2025 to $184,500 in 2026
Earnings-test thresholds rise (more on that below)
Quarter of coverage — the amount of earnings needed to earn one Social Security credit — increases from $1,810 in 2025 to $1,890 in 2026

A new analysis published today by Investopedia calculates that, after the 2.8% COLA, the average monthly benefit for a retired worker in 2026 will be $2,071, an increase of about $56 per month from 2025. ^[18]

Yet, an earlier AARP–linked survey cited in coverage of the COLA found that roughly 77% of older Americans say the annual raise still doesn’t keep up with their actual expenses, highlighting a persistent gap between benefit growth and real-world costs. ^[19]

Medicare premium hike will eat into many 2026 Social Security raises

For millions of retirees, the headline COLA number doesn’t tell the full story, because Medicare Part B premiums are automatically deducted from most Social Security checks.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the standard Part B premium will jump from $185.00 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026—a $17.90 increase, or about 9.7%. ^[20]

The Part B annual deductible will rise from $257 to $283. ^[21]

Financial and policy outlets are already warning that this nearly 10% jump in premiums could absorb a big chunk of the average $56 monthly COLA, especially for retirees who depend heavily on Social Security to cover health and living costs. ^[22]

Higher-income beneficiaries may see even larger increases through Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA), which add surcharges to Part B and Part D premiums once income crosses certain thresholds. ^[23]

Hidden Social Security rule changes that could shrink 2026 checks

Beyond the COLA and Medicare premiums, several less-publicized policy and program changes are set to shape what beneficiaries actually take home in 2026.

A widely shared explainer on “hidden policy changes” summarizes five key shifts, many of which are rooted in official SSA and CMS announcements: ^[24]

1. Higher Medicare Part B premiums

As noted above, the standard Part B premium will be $202.90 in 2026, up from $185.00 in 2025. That $17.90 increase comes out of Social Security checks before beneficiaries see a penny, meaning that for many, their net raise will be noticeably smaller than 2.8%. ^[25]

2. New earnings-test thresholds for workers under full retirement age

Working while collecting Social Security before full retirement age (FRA) can still temporarily reduce benefits if earnings exceed certain thresholds. In 2026, those thresholds will rise: ^[26]

Under FRA for the full year:
- Earnings-test exempt amount increases to $24,480 per year ($2,040/month).
- SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above that limit.
In the year you reach FRA (but before your birthday):
- The exempt amount rises to $65,160 per year ($5,430/month).
- SSA withholds $1 for every $3 above that limit.

These rules don’t permanently reduce your benefit—the withheld months are effectively credited back later—but they can cause surprise cuts to monthly income for older workers who aren’t tracking their earnings closely. ^[27]

3. Higher payroll tax cap on earnings

In 2026, the Social Security “wage base”—the amount of earnings subject to the 6.2% OASDI payroll tax—will rise from $176,100 to $184,500. ^[28]

Workers who earn at or above that level will pay up to $11,439 in Social Security tax in 2026, with their employers matching the same amount. ^[29]

This change doesn’t affect current retirees, but it matters for higher-earning workers still building their future benefit and for the overall financing of the program.

4. Tougher overpayment clawbacks

After a series of high-profile stories about beneficiaries being asked to repay large overpayments, SSA has repeatedly adjusted how aggressively it claws money back.

In 2024, SSA announced it was cutting the default withholding rate on overpayments to 10% of a person’s monthly benefit, to reduce hardship. ^[30]
In early 2025, SSA briefly moved to 100% withholding for new overpayments, then pulled back amid public criticism. ^[31]
As of this spring, new guidance and internal memos now set the default rate at 50% of a person’s Social Security benefit for Title II overpayments identified after April 25, 2025, unless the beneficiary successfully requests a lower rate or waiver. ^[32]

SSA’s own “resolve an overpayment” page confirms that if a beneficiary does not respond within 30 days of an overpayment notice, the agency will typically withhold 50% of the monthly benefit (or 10% of SSI payments) until the balance is repaid. ^[33]

Advocates warn that failing to read or respond to those letters quickly can mean a sudden, painful cut to monthly income.

5. Debt collections return through the Treasury Offset Program

Another under-the-radar risk is the resumption of the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) for Social Security–related debts that predate the pandemic.

In March 2025, SSA announced that it was restarting collections via TOP for debts accrued before March 2020, after a multi-year pause. ^[34]

Under TOP, the U.S. Treasury can intercept part of certain federal payments—such as tax refunds or a portion of a Social Security check—to cover delinquent federal or state debts like older student loans, back taxes, court fines, or prior overpayments. ^[35]

SSA and media reports indicate that more than 280,000 people with roughly $2.7 billion in pre‑2020 debts are now subject to offset, meaning some retirees will see unexpected reductions in their checks as collections resume. ^[36]

Good news for disability beneficiaries: Controversial rule overhaul scrapped

One of the most consequential Social Security developments this month actually involves a policy that will not move forward.

On November 19, The Washington Post reported that the SSA has abandoned a proposed rule that would have fundamentally changed how disability benefits are awarded, particularly for people aged 50 and over. ^[37]

The shelved plan would have:

Eliminated or sharply reduced the role of age as a factor in determining whether someone can adjust to other work, and
Replaced an outdated jobs database with new labor‑market data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, potentially narrowing the kinds of jobs SSA considers when deciding if an applicant is still able to work. ^[38]

AARP and other advocates warned that similar proposals examined by the Urban Institute could have reduced eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) by up to 20% overall and roughly 30% for workers over 50, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of people without benefits over the next decade. ^[39]

Following intense pushback and direct meetings with advocates, SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano told disability groups that the agency will not move forward with the new rule set, a decision AARP called “the right choice” for older workers with disabilities. ^[40]

SSA says service is improving after years of backlogs

In a recent end‑of‑year letter to Congress, SSA’s commissioner highlighted operational improvements after several years marked by long waits and customer complaints. Among the items SSA has emphasized in its public updates: ^[41]

Efforts to cut average phone wait times at SSA call centers
Increased use of online services through my Social Security accounts
Work to reduce the backlog of pending disability claims, which still totals hundreds of thousands of cases nationwide

These operational changes will matter in 2026 as more people file for benefits, appeal decisions, or seek help understanding the new rules and COLA amounts.

Congress floats new ideas: $200 monthly boost and COLA reforms

While none of these proposals are law yet, recent moves on Capitol Hill are getting a lot of attention from Social Security recipients.

Temporary $200-per-month “emergency” boost

Earlier this month, a group of Democratic senators introduced the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act, which would provide an extra $200 per month from January through June 2026 for: ^[42]

Social Security beneficiaries
SSI recipients
Railroad retirement beneficiaries
Veterans receiving certain disability benefits

Key details:

The extra $200 per month would be on top of the 2.8% COLA, for a total of $1,200 in additional paymentsover six months. ^[43]
Beneficiaries eligible for multiple programs would only receive one $200 monthly boost. ^[44]
Supporters argue the COLA is not enough to offset persistent inflation in groceries, housing, and medical costs, pointing to recent data showing food staples like coffee and ground beef have seen double‑digit price increases over the past year. ^[45]

Crucially, the bill is still in the early stages. It must pass both the Senate and the House and then be signed by the president before any $200 payments can occur.

Debates over changing the COLA formula and capping high‑earner raises

Policy groups and lawmakers are also debating long‑term changes to how Social Security keeps up with inflation and stays solvent:

A report highlighted by Investopedia suggests capping COLAs for the top 25% of beneficiaries—those receiving the largest checks—as a way to save about $115 billion over 10 years and modestly extend the trust fund’s life. ^[46]
Advocates, including some lawmakers, counter that the existing CPI‑W formula already understates seniors’ true costs, and many support shifting to a CPI‑E index that better reflects older Americans’ spending patterns on things like healthcare. ^[47]

Meanwhile, SSA’s official actuaries warn that under current law, combined Social Security trust funds are projected to run short of reserves between 2033 and 2035, at which point incoming payroll taxes would cover only about three‑quarters of scheduled benefits—effectively a roughly 20–25% across‑the‑board cut if Congress does nothing. ^[48]

That looming deadline is one reason COLA caps, tax increases, and targeted benefit expansions for lower‑income seniors are all under active discussion.

What today’s news means for beneficiaries — and what to do next

Putting all of this together, here’s what Social Security recipients and near‑retirees may want to pay attention to now:

Confirm your November payment
- If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st and you started benefits after May 1997, you should see your November payment today, November 26, 2025. ^[49]
- If it doesn’t arrive, wait a few business days, then contact SSA or your bank.
Look ahead to December’s schedule
- If you receive SSI, be ready for the early January SSI deposit on December 31, so you don’t mistake it for an “extra” payment. Budget as if it belongs to January 2026, not December. ^[50]
Review your 2026 COLA notice
- SSA is rolling out individual COLA notices via online my Social Security accounts and by mail, explaining your new 2026 benefit amount. ^[51]
- Compare the new gross amount to your net benefit after Medicare premiums so you know how much extra cash you’ll actually see.
Check your Medicare plan and premiums
- With Part B premiums rising to $202.90 and deductibles increasing, this year’s Medicare open enrollment and plan choices matter more than usual. ^[52]
Watch for overpayment and debt notices
- Open every letter from SSA and look at your online message center. If you get an overpayment notice or a Treasury Offset notice, you usually have a limited window to appeal, request a waiver, or negotiate a lower repayment rate before automatic withholdings kick in. ^[53]
Stay informed about legislation — but don’t plan around it yet
- The $200-per-month emergency boost and ideas like COLA caps or CPI‑E are still proposals, not guarantees. Until Congress passes something, your 2026 benefits will follow existing law: a 2.8% COLA, current tax and earnings rules, and the announced Medicare premiums. ^[54]
Use SSA’s online tools where possible
- SSA continues to encourage people to use online services to check earnings records, estimate benefits, apply, and manage deposits—helping avoid long phone waits and in‑person delays. ^[55]