US Social Security rolls out program upgrades and upcoming benefit changes
The U.S. Social Security Administration released its 2026 Annual Report for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, highlighting a suite of improvements aimed at reducing improper payments and speeding service. Under Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano, the agency simplified rules, deployed new call‑segmentation technology, expanded the Access to Financial Institutions (AFI) tool, and fully implemented the Payroll Information Exchange (PIE) system to catch over‑payments early. A dedicated SSI improvement office was also created.
In October the agency will publish the Consumer Price Index for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI‑W), which will set the cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 benefits. Anticipated changes include a higher Medicare Part B premium, revised earnings limits for beneficiaries who work, and a possible increase in the Social Security tax wage base.
Financial advisers identified four exchange‑traded funds—NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI), iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV), Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD) and WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW)—as options for retirees to supplement Social Security income and hedge against inflation.
Because August 1, 2026 falls on a Saturday, the SSI payment for that month will be advanced to Friday, July 31, resulting in two July deposits and none in August. The agency provided the adjusted payment calendar for the remainder of 2026.