What Changed in Benefits for 2026
Benefit amounts, tax credit limits, and eligibility rules change every year. Here is a plain-English summary of the most significant changes for 2026 — verified against IRS, CMS, SSA, and USDA sources as of June 2026.
Major changes at a glance
| Program / Credit | 2025 | 2026 | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part B Premium | $174.70/month | $202.90/month | Automatically deducted from Social Security. Low-income seniors may qualify for the Medicare Savings Program to cover this cost. |
| SSDI Average Benefit | ~$1,300/month | ~$1,580/month | 2.5% COLA increase effective January 2026. |
| SSI Monthly Benefit | $943/month | $994/month | 2.5% COLA increase effective January 2026. |
| EITC Minimum Age (no children) | Age 19 | Age 25 | ARPA expansion expired; not restored by OBBBA. Workers without qualifying children must be 25–64. |
| ACA Enhanced Subsidies | Available above 400% FPL | Expired — 400% FPL cap restored | Marketplace plans may be significantly more expensive for incomes 300–600% FPL. |
| IRA Contribution Limit | $7,000 / $8,000 (50+) | $7,500 / $8,600 (50+) | Higher limits; phase-out for deductibility starts at $79k for single filers with workplace plan. |
| 401(k) Catch-Up (age 50+) | $7,500 | $8,000 | Additional savings room for workers approaching retirement. |
| Standard Deduction — Single | $15,000 | $16,100 | Higher deduction reduces taxable income for non-itemizers. |
| Standard Deduction — MFJ | $30,000 | $32,200 | Higher deduction for married couples filing jointly. |
| QBI Phase-Out (single) | $182,050 | $201,775 | More self-employed / pass-through owners avoid the phase-out. |
| Child Tax Credit | $2,000 / $1,700 refundable | $2,200 / $1,700 refundable | CTC base increased by $200 per child. |
| HSA Limit — Family | $8,550 | $8,750 | Slightly higher limit for family HDHP plans. |
| Home Energy Credit (25C) | Up to $3,200/year | TERMINATED | Eliminated by P.L. 119-21 (July 4, 2025). No new claims for property placed in service after enactment. |
| Residential Clean Energy (25D) | 30% credit | TERMINATED | Solar and battery storage credit eliminated for installations after enactment of P.L. 119-21. |
| EV Tax Credit (30D) | Up to $7,500 | TERMINATED (after Sept 30, 2025) | Electric vehicle credit eliminated for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. |
| Medical Mileage Rate | $0.21/mile | $0.205/mile | Slight decrease; applies to medical travel deducted on Schedule A. |
| Adoption Tax Credit | $16,810 | $17,670 | Inflation-adjusted increase for qualifying adoption expenses. |
Healthcare & Medicare changes
Medicare Part B Premium — up $28/month
The standard Medicare Part B premium increased from $174.70 to $202.90/month in 2026 (a 16% increase). This is automatically deducted from Social Security checks for most Medicare beneficiaries. If you have limited income, you may qualify for the Medicare Savings Program — which pays your Part B premium, deductible, and copays for free.
ACA Enhanced Subsidies Expired
The enhanced Affordable Care Act marketplace subsidies (originally from the American Rescue Plan and extended through 2025) expired on December 31, 2025. The income cap for marketplace subsidies has reverted to 400% of FPL — people above that income threshold no longer qualify for premium tax credits. If you were on an enhanced-subsidy plan in 2025, check HealthCare.gov for your 2026 options and costs.
Social Security & disability changes
SSDI Average Benefit Up
Following the 2.5% COLA adjustment, the average SSDI benefit increased from approximately $1,300 to $1,580/month in 2026. SSI remains at $994/month for individuals.
Tax credit changes for 2026
EITC — Minimum Age Reverted to 25
The American Rescue Plan temporarily lowered the minimum age for claiming the EITC without a qualifying child to 19. That expansion was not restored by the One Big Beautiful Budget Act. In 2026, workers without qualifying children must be age 25–64 to claim the EITC — the same rule as pre-2021. Workers with qualifying children are not affected by this age rule.
IRA Contribution Limits Increased
Traditional and Roth IRA contribution limits increased to $7,500/year ($8,600 for age 50+) in 2026, up from $7,000/$8,000 in 2025. The income phase-out for traditional IRA deductibility (if covered by a workplace plan) starts at $79,000 for single filers.
401(k) Catch-Up Contributions Increased
Workers age 50+ can contribute an additional $8,000 to their 401(k) in 2026 (up from $7,500 in 2025), on top of the standard $23,500 limit. Workers age 60–63 can contribute an even higher catch-up amount under SECURE 2.0 rules.
QBI Deduction — Higher Phase-Out Thresholds
The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction phase-out thresholds increased to $201,775 (single) / $403,500 (married) in 2026 — a significant jump from $182,050/$364,200 in 2025. This affects self-employed people and pass-through business owners in certain service industries.
Home Energy & EV Credits — Terminated
The following credits were eliminated by P.L. 119-21 (signed July 4, 2025):
- Home Energy Tax Credits (25C) — covered insulation, windows, heat pumps, and more. Terminated for property placed in service after the bill's enactment.
- Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) — covered solar panels and battery storage. Terminated similarly.
- Clean Vehicle Credit (30D) — the EV tax credit up to $7,500. Eliminated for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. Carryforward credits from prior years may still apply.
If you completed qualifying improvements or purchased an EV before these termination dates, consult a tax professional about claiming carryforward credits.
Other benefit amounts in 2026
| Benefit / Limit | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard Deduction — Single | $16,100 |
| Standard Deduction — Married Filing Jointly | $32,200 |
| Child Tax Credit (CTC) | $2,200/child ($1,700 refundable) |
| HSA Contribution Limit — Individual | $4,400 |
| HSA Contribution Limit — Family | $8,750 |
| Savers Credit — Income Limit (Single) | $40,250 |
| Adoption Tax Credit | $17,670 per child |
| Commuter Benefits (transit/parking) | $340/month |
| Medical Mileage Rate | $0.205/mile |
| Business Mileage Rate | $0.725/mile |
| Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) Limit | $105,000/year |
| SSI — Individual Monthly Benefit | $994/month |
| Medicare Part B Premium | $202.90/month |
Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-28, CMS 2026 Medicare Handbook, SSA COLA announcement, USDA FNS. Figures verified as of June 2026. Check agency websites for the most current information.
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