Thank you to everyone who has attended my recent workshops at the Oxnard Public Library and our local community centers! It’s been great connecting with so many of you and diving into the “Fiduciary Difference” when it comes to retirement planning.

One of the most common questions I get during our sessions is: “What are the actual numbers for this year?” To help you keep your “Bucket Plan” on track, I’ve put together a quick cheat sheet for the 2026 Social Security adjustments.

1. Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

For 2026, Social Security benefits have increased by 2.8%.

  • Average Monthly Benefit: For most retired workers, this means an average increase of about $56 per month, bringing the total average benefit to roughly $2,071.

2. The 2026 Earnings Test Limits

If you are working while claiming benefits before your Full Retirement Age (FRA), these are the numbers you must watch to avoid having benefits withheld:

  • Under Full Retirement Age: You can earn up to $24,480 ($2,040/month) before Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 earned over the limit.

  • Reaching FRA in 2026: The limit is higher—$65,160 ($5,430/month). The withholding is $1 for every $3 earned, and it only applies to the months before you hit your birth month.

3. Maximum Possible Benefits

If you are planning your “exit strategy” from the workforce this year, here is what the maximum monthly payouts look like for 2026:

  • Claiming at Age 62: $2,969

  • Claiming at Full Retirement Age (67): $4,152

  • Claiming at Age 70: $5,181

4. The Wage Base (Taxable Maximum)

For those still in their high-earning years, the amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax has increased to $184,500. Any income earned above this threshold is not subject to the 6.2% OASDI tax.

Summary Table: 2026 vs. 2025

Category 2025 2026
COLA 2.5% 2.8%
Taxable Wage Base $176,100 $184,500
Earnings Limit (Under FRA) $23,400 $24,480
Earnings Limit (Year of FRA) $62,160 $65,160
Credit/Quarter of Coverage $1,810 $1,890

What’s Your Next Move?

Numbers are just one part of the story. As we discuss in our workshops, the timing of when you claim these benefits is what truly impacts your long-term retirement income.

Workshop Bonus: If you attended a recent session, don’t forget that you are eligible for a complimentary Social Security Timing Analysis. We can look at your specific numbers to see how these 2026 changes impact your personal “break-even” point.

Would you like me to send over the link to schedule your one-on-one strategy session or help you calculate your 2026 earnings test impact?

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