Thanks.
Maybe 23% to adjust for today's close and some profit taking and maybe 38.2% if bad news on next Friday's inflation and SS COLA announcements (ie higher than 2.8%).
what is the expected COLA for 2026?
AI Overview
The expected Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is an estimated 2.7% to 2.8%, though the final number will be announced after the September CPI report is released on October 24, 2025. This projection is slightly higher than the 2025 COLA of 2.5% and, if the 2.7% estimate holds, would increase the average retired worker's monthly benefit by approximately $54.
This annual screwing of the middle income is something few talk about... but it is a HUGE tax increase for most middle income workers that both parties seem to ignore.
How much is the payroll tax income cutoff expected to rise?
The projected Social Security payroll tax income cutoff, or "wage base," is expected to rise to
$183,600 in 2026. This is an increase of $7,500 from the 2025 taxable maximum of $176,100.
This adjustment, which is not final until later in the year, is based on the annual changes in the National Average Wage Index.
How the increase affects taxpayers
- Higher earners pay more: For employees who earn above the previous 2025 wage base of $176,100, more of their income will be subject to the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax.
- Maximum tax increases: With a wage base of $183,600, the maximum Social Security tax that an individual will pay increases from $10,918.20 in 2025 to $11,383.20 in 2026 ($183,600 x 6.2%).
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