Overview
- BLS confirmed it will publish the September Consumer Price Index on Oct. 24 despite the ongoing shutdown.
- The timing restores SSA’s ability to calculate the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment before the statutory deadline, with the announcement expected after the CPI release.
- Independent projections point to a roughly 2.7%–2.8% COLA, which would add about $54 to the average monthly retirement benefit.
- Social Security and SSI payments continue without interruption, though many SSA field office services are curtailed during the funding lapse.
- Rising Medicare Part B premiums, estimated by trustees to reach $206.50, could offset much of beneficiaries’ expected increase.