UK State Pension Rise; US Social Security COLA

UK inflation held at 3.8% in September, triggering the triple lock so the full new state pension will rise by wage growth (4.8%), adding about £575 a year from April 6, 2026. The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, raising average monthly payments by about $56 for roughly 71–75 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income; SSI increases take effect Dec. 31, 2025, and most other payments rise in January 2026. The taxable maximum earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax will increase to $184,500, and annual earnings limits for working beneficiaries are raised to $24,480 for those under full retirement age and $65,160 for people who reach full retirement age during 2026. Many beneficiaries may see much of the COLA offset by higher outlays—trustees projected an ~11.6% rise in Medicare Part B premiums to about $206.50—and health care, housing and utility costs have risen faster than the overall index. The announcement was delayed by a recent federal government shutdown that postponed September inflation data, and advocates say the CPI‑W formula understates seniors’ inflation and are urging larger or differently calculated adjustments and reforms to protect older Americans and the program’s solvency.