Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will rise by 3.6% in 2027. The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on October 14, 2026. About 76 million Americans get the increase automatically. You don’t need to apply.
Below is what the 3.6% COLA means for your check, when it arrives, and what else changes for 2027.
Social Security COLA 2027 at a glance
| 2027 COLA | 3.6% |
| Announced | October 14, 2026 |
| First Social Security check with the raise | January 2027 |
| First SSI payment with the raise | December 31, 2026 |
| Average retirement benefit | $2,095 → $2,170 a month (+$75) |
| Who gets it | Retirement, survivor, disability (SSDI) and SSI recipients |
How much will my check go up in 2027?
Multiply your current monthly benefit (before Medicare is taken out) by 1.036. Here’s what that looks like for common benefit amounts:
| Benefit in 2026 | Benefit in 2027 (approx.) | Monthly increase |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $1,036 | +$36 |
| $1,500 | $1,554 | +$54 |
| $2,000 | $2,072 | +$72 |
| $2,500 | $2,590 | +$90 |
| $3,000 | $3,108 | +$108 |
| $4,000 | $4,144 | +$144 |
SSA rounds benefits down to the nearest dollar, so your exact new amount may be a little lower. Your official figure is in the COLA notice SSA sends in December. If you have a my Social Security account, you can see it online in the Message Center, usually in early December.
Average benefits before and after the 2027 COLA
These are SSA’s estimated average monthly benefits payable in January 2027:
| Type of beneficiary | Before 3.6% COLA | After 3.6% COLA |
|---|---|---|
| All retired workers | $2,095 | $2,170 |
| Aged couple, both receiving benefits | $3,238 | $3,355 |
| Widowed mother and two children | $3,932 | $4,074 |
| Aged widow(er) alone | $1,936 | $2,005 |
| Disabled worker, spouse and one or more children | $2,970 | $3,077 |
| All disabled workers | $1,642 | $1,701 |
When will I get the 2027 COLA increase?
- SSI recipients: the higher amount arrives on Thursday, December 31, 2026. That’s January’s SSI payment, paid early because January 1 is a federal holiday. See why SSI recipients get two payments in December 2026.
- Social Security recipients: the increase starts with the payment you get in January 2027. Your payment date depends on your birthday. Check the January 2027 payment schedule.
- People who get both Social Security and SSI, or who started benefits before May 1997: your January Social Security payment is also paid on December 31, 2026.
New SSI amounts for 2027
The maximum federal SSI payment rises to $1,029 a month for an individual (from $994) and $1,544 a month for a couple (from $1,491). Some states add a supplement on top. The resource limits stay at $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Full details: SSI payment amount 2027.
Other Social Security changes for 2027
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum taxable earnings | $184,500 | $192,300 |
| Earnings for one work credit | $1,890 | $1,970 |
| Earnings limit, under full retirement age | $24,480/yr | $25,560/yr |
| Earnings limit, year you reach full retirement age | $65,160/yr | $67,920/yr |
| Substantial gainful activity (SGA), non-blind | $1,690/mo | $1,770/mo |
| SGA, blind | $2,830/mo | $2,950/mo |
| Trial work period month | $1,210 | $1,270 |
| Maximum benefit at full retirement age | $4,152/mo | $4,188/mo |
If you work while collecting benefits, read our guide to the Social Security earnings limit for 2027.
Will Medicare take part of my COLA?
For most people, the Medicare Part B premium is deducted from their Social Security check. So a higher premium shrinks the net raise. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects about $209.50 for 2027, but that’s an estimate. The official 2027 premium is announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), usually in November. We’ll update this article when it’s out.
A “hold harmless” rule protects most people: your Part B premium increase can’t be larger than your Social Security increase, so your net check can’t go down.
How is the COLA calculated?
By law, the COLA equals the rise in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026. That increase came to 3.6%.
Do veterans and federal retirees get the 3.6% too?
VA disability compensation rises by the same percentage as Social Security, which the law requires. Federal retirees under CSRS also get 3.6%. Most FERS retirees get 2.6%. See federal retiree COLA 2027 and VA disability pay dates 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply for the 2027 COLA?
No. The increase is automatic for everyone receiving Social Security or SSI.
Is the 2027 COLA higher than 2026?
Yes. The 2026 COLA was 2.8%. The 2027 COLA is 3.6%.
When will I get my COLA letter?
SSA mails COLA notices in December. If you have a my Social Security account, you can usually see your notice online in early December.
Is the COLA taxed?
The COLA is part of your benefit. Whether your benefits are taxable depends on your total income. The COLA itself isn’t taxed separately.
Sources: SSA 2027 COLA Fact Sheet, SSA COLA announcement. This article is for general information. For your exact benefit, check your SSA notice or my Social Security account.
