https://retirehub.org/tags/money/Recent content in Money on RetireHubHugoen-usMon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://retirehub.org/articles/2026-06-01/social-security-changes-2026-planning-window/Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://retirehub.org/articles/2026-06-01/social-security-changes-2026-planning-window/<p>Social Security benefits increased by <strong>2.8% in January 2026</strong>, lifting the average retirement check from $2,015 to <strong>$2,071 per month</strong> — an extra $56 a month, or $672 a year. That's the headline. But five other changes arrived alongside that COLA, and at least two of them could directly affect how much you keep, how much you can earn while collecting, and whether you're parking your bridge money in the right account while you wait for your optimal filing date. Here's the complete picture.</p>