2026 Social Security Taxes Increase and 2026 Benefits Will Increase

Social Security Tax increase

As usual the wage base for the 6.2 percent Social Security tax will increase. ( Note. The 1.45 percent Medicare tax is imposed on all wages) 

The 2026 Social Security wage base will be $184,500, which is an increase of $8,400 from $176,100 in 2025. 

The maximum Social Security tax employees and employers will each pay in is $11,439, an increase of $520.80 from the 2025 maximum.

Social Security Benefits Will Increase

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. for the average American, their benefits will increase by $56 per month (which is higher than the 2025 increase of 2.5%).

The average monthly Social Security benefit rises from $1,957 to $2,013.

In December 2025, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security account.