Social Security COLA 2027: The Complete Guide
What is the COLA, and how was 3.6% calculated?
The COLA is an automatic annual adjustment that keeps Social Security and SSI benefits in step with inflation. By law, it equals the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. The 2027 figure of 3.6% — above the 20-year average of about 2.6% — is the largest adjustment since the 8.7% of 2023.
Who gets the 2027 increase?
Everyone receiving Social Security or SSI: retired workers and their spouses, disabled workers (SSDI), survivors — widow(er)s, children and parents — and SSI recipients. The increase is automatic. You do not need to apply, call, or file anything, and it does not depend on where you live.
Average increases by benefit type
| Beneficiary | 2026 | 2027 | Monthly raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired worker (average) | $2,095 | $2,170 | +$75 |
| Disabled worker, SSDI (average) | $1,642 | $1,701 | +$59 |
| Aged widow(er), alone (average) | $1,936 | $2,005 | +$69 |
| SSI maximum, individual | $994 | $1,029 | +$35 |
| SSI maximum, couple | $1,491 | $1,544 | +$53 |
These are averages and maximums published by the SSA. Your own raise is 3.6% of your own benefit — see how the math works for your amount, or go straight to the 2027 COLA calculator.
Key dates for the 2027 COLA
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2026 | SSA announces the 3.6% COLA |
| November 2026 (expected) | Official 2027 Medicare Part B premium announced |
| December 2026 | SSA mails your COLA notice with your exact new amount; also visible in my Social Security |
| December 31, 2026 | First increased SSI payment |
| January 13 / 20 / 27, 2027 | First increased Social Security payments, by birth date |
Medicare Part B: the one number still missing
The official 2027 Part B premium has not been announced yet (2026: $202.90; the Medicare Trustees project about $209.50). If the premium is deducted from your check, your deposit will rise by less than your gross 3.6% raise. Most beneficiaries are protected by the "hold harmless" rule, which caps the Part B increase at the dollar amount of their COLA raise when both apply to the same check. This site will be updated the day the official premium is published.
Get the 2027 Medicare Part B premium alert
The 2027 Part B premium has not been announced yet. When Medicare publishes it (expected November 2026), we will send one email with your updated net-check estimate. No spam, ever.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Social Security COLA for 2027?
The Social Security Administration announced on October 14, 2026 that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 is 3.6%. It applies to Social Security retirement, disability, survivors and spouse benefits, and to Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
How do I calculate my 2027 benefit?
Multiply your current monthly benefit by 1.036. For example, $1,500 becomes $1,554, and $2,000 becomes $2,072. The calculator on this page does the math for you, including an estimated take-home amount after Medicare Part B.
When will I get my first increased check?
SSI recipients receive the first increased payment on December 31, 2026. Social Security beneficiaries are paid in January 2027 on the second, third or fourth Wednesday, depending on their day of birth: born 1st–10th, January 13; 11th–20th, January 20; 21st–31st, January 27.
How much is the average increase?
The SSA estimates the average retired worker's benefit rises by about $75 a month, from $2,095 to $2,170. The average disabled worker's benefit rises from $1,642 to $1,701, and an aged widow or widower's from $1,936 to $2,005.
When will the SSA tell me my exact new amount?
The SSA posts your exact 2027 amount in your my Social Security account in late November 2026 and mails the official COLA notice during December 2026.