Larson Statement on the 2026 Social Security COLA Announcement

East Hartford, CT - Today, House Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 2.8 percent Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)for 2026.

"Seniors rely on their annual COLA to keep up with rising costs. When Donald Trump furloughed the workers who help determine next year's COLA, I spoke out and they reversed course," said Larson. "While a small bump in benefits is always welcome news, it is not nearly enough for struggling seniors to get through this cost-of-living crisis. It's more important than ever for Congress to take action to enhance Social Security for everyone, so benefits actually keep pace with the costs seniors face and no one can retire into poverty after a lifetime of hard work. Instead, Donald Trump is focused on breaking Social Security from within so he can hand it over to his friends on Wall Street. He's already cut 7,000 workers, tried to close field offices and slash phone services. Top Trump allies, including his own Social Security Commissioner, even teased a plan to raise the retirement age. Not on our watch! Democrats are ready to act to not only protect Social Security but enhance benefits for the hard-working Americans who need our help the most. It is time for a vote."

Ranking Larson sounded the alarm on the potential for the COLA to be delayed when the Trump Administration furloughed all but one employeeat the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agency responsible for the COLA. After public pressure, the Administration later reversed courseand brought workers back.

He has put forward a plansupported by nearly 200 House Democrats to protect Social Security from cuts and enhance benefits across the board for beneficiaries.