Social Security COLA 2027: 3.6% Increase, New Average Benefit, and What to Check Before January
Social Security benefits will rise 3.6% in 2027, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on October 14, 2026. It is the largest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) since 2023, and it will reach retirement, survivors, and disability benefits as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For the average retired worker, the increase is worth about $75 a month. This guide explains exactly how much more you could receive, when the money arrives, how the figure was calculated, and the one deduction that could shrink the headline raise before it ever reaches your bank account. What the SSA announced for 2027 The headline number is simple: a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for benefits payable in January 2027. The SSA announced it on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the September inflation data that completes the calculation. The adjustment applies to December 2026 benefits, which are paid in January 2027, so most beneficiaries will first se...