Social Security COLA 2027: Announcement Date, Estimates and Your Raise
Updated
The 2027 Social Security COLA is expected Oct. 14, 2026. Estimates run 3.4% to 3.6%. Here's how it's figured and how Medicare affects your raise.
Social Security is expected to announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the same morning September's inflation report comes out. Forecasters expect a raise of about 3.4% to 3.6%, up from 2.8% this year.
We'll update this page with the official number as soon as it's announced.
The latest estimates
| Forecaster | 2027 COLA estimate |
|---|---|
| The Senior Citizens League | 3.5% |
| AARP | 3.6% |
| Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget | 3.4% |
These use inflation data through August. September's numbers will set the final figure.
How the COLA is calculated
Social Security compares average consumer prices (the CPI-W index) for July, August and September this year with the same three months last year. The percentage increase, rounded to one decimal place, becomes your raise. If prices don't rise, there's no COLA, but benefits never go down.
What it could mean in dollars
The average retired worker gets about $2,075 a month, according to Social Security. A 3.5% COLA would add roughly $73 a month to that check. Your raise depends on your own benefit amount.
How Medicare takes a bite
Most people have their Medicare Part B premium taken straight out of their check. Part B is projected to rise about $6.60 a month in 2027, to $209.50, so your net raise will be a bit smaller than the headline COLA. A hold-harmless rule keeps most people's net check from going down, but it doesn't cover everyone. See our Part B premium guide.
When you'll see the money
- Social Security: the raise shows up in your January 2027 payment.
- SSI: the January 2027 payment is expected on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, because Jan. 1 is a holiday.
- December 2026 payments are still at the old amount.
Your COLA notice
Last year, notices appeared in the online my Social Security account, with the new Medicare premium added in late November. Paper letters went out in early December. You can choose online-only notices in your my Social Security account settings.
What to do now
- Sign in to my Social Security at ssa.gov to make sure your account works.
- Check back here on Oct. 14 for the official number.
- If you're on Medicare, plan for a smaller net raise after Part B.
Sources: SSA COLA formula, SSA 2026 COLA announcement, SSA monthly snapshot, Fox Business, KOLD, AARP, BenefitsUSA.