The Social Security COLA 2027 is official: benefits will rise by 3.6%. The Social Security Administration announced the cost-of-living adjustment on October 14, 2026, and it affects nearly 72 million beneficiaries starting in January. Here’s how much more you’ll get, when it shows up, and why your actual raise may be a little smaller.
Quick answer: Social Security benefits rise 3.6% for 2027. The average retirement benefit goes up by about $75 a month (about $900 a year). Most people see the raise in their January 2027 payment. About 7.3 million SSI recipients get it on December 31, 2026. Medicare Part B is projected to rise to about $209.50 a month, which would cut the average net gain to roughly $68.
How much is the Social Security COLA 2027 worth?
| Benefit type | 2026 average | 2027 average (est.) | Monthly increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired worker | — | — | About $75 |
| Widow or widower | $1,936 | $2,005 | About $69 |
| SSDI (disabled worker) | $1,642 | $1,701 | About $59 |
To work out your own raise, multiply your current monthly benefit by 0.036. For example, a $2,000 benefit rises by $72 to about $2,072 before any Medicare deductions.
How 3.6% compares with recent years
| Year | COLA |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8.7% |
| 2024 | 3.2% |
| 2025 | 2.5% |
| 2026 | 2.8% |
| 2027 | 3.6% |
The 2027 increase is the biggest since 2024. The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for July, August and September. A higher number means prices rose faster over the past year, so the raise is meant to keep your buying power steady, not make you better off.
When will you get the raise?
- SSI recipients: about 7.3 million people get the higher amount on December 31, 2026, because January 1 is a holiday.
- Social Security beneficiaries: the raise starts with January 2027 payments. Most people are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of the month, depending on their birth date. In January 2027 those dates are January 13, 20 and 27.
Your personal COLA notice will appear in your my Social Security account from late November, or arrive by mail in December if you haven’t signed up for online notices.
The Medicare Part B catch
If you’re on Medicare, your Part B premium is usually taken straight out of your Social Security check. The 2026 premium is $202.90 a month. The Medicare Trustees have projected $209.50 for 2027, an increase of $6.60. The official figure is usually announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in November.
If the projection holds, the average retiree’s net gain would be closer to $68 a month rather than $75. Medicare open enrollment runs until December 7, so it’s a good time to check whether your plan still fits. Our Medicare open enrollment guide explains what to check.
Will the COLA push you into a higher tax bracket?
For most people, no. The IRS has also raised its tax brackets for 2027 by about 3.2%, and the standard deduction has risen too. See our breakdown of the 2027 tax brackets. Some retirees with other income may pay tax on a larger share of their benefits, because the income thresholds for taxing Social Security aren’t adjusted for inflation.
What to do now
- Log in to my Social Security and make sure your address and payment details are correct.
- Watch for your COLA notice from late November.
- Check your Medicare plan before December 7.
- Update your budget for January using the 3.6% figure.
- Ignore calls or texts asking for bank details “to receive your raise”. Social Security never asks for this. It’s a scam.
This article is for general information only and is not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Social Security COLA for 2027?
3.6%, announced by the Social Security Administration on October 14, 2026.
How much will my Social Security check increase in 2027?
The average retirement benefit rises by about $75 a month. Multiply your own benefit by 0.036 to estimate yours.
When does the 2027 COLA start?
With January 2027 payments. SSI recipients get the increase on December 31, 2026.
Will Medicare take part of my COLA?
Probably a little. Part B is projected to rise from $202.90 to about $209.50 a month in 2027.
Sources: Social Security Administration COLA announcement (October 14, 2026), FinanceBuzz, Medicare Trustees Report, Nasdaq/The Motley Fool.
