Key points
- Social Security benefits rise 3.6% in 2027, the largest increase since 2023 (8.7%). The 2026 COLA was 2.8%.
- The average retired worker gets about $75 more a month: from $2,095 to $2,170.
- Nearly 72 million beneficiaries get the raise starting in January 2027. About 7.3 million SSI recipients get it on December 31, 2026.
- The maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax rise from $184,500 to $192,300.
- The 2027 Medicare Part B premium has not been announced yet. It will show up in your my Social Security account in late November.
The Social Security Administration announced on October 14, 2026, that benefits will rise 3.6 percent in 2027. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applies to retirement, survivor and disability benefits and to Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Source: SSA press release.
Social Security COLA: 3.6% for 2027
Cost-of-living adjustment by the year benefits are paid. Hover or tap a bar.
Benefits paid in 2027: +3.6%
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How much is the 2027 Social Security increase?
The COLA is 3.6%. In dollars, the SSA estimates that the average check for all retired workers goes from $2,095 to $2,170 a month in January 2027, a raise of $75. A retired couple who both receive benefits goes from $3,238 to $3,355.
How much more you get in January 2027
Estimated average benefit before (light) and after (dark) the 3.6% COLA.
Aged couple, both receiving
Widowed mother, two children
Aged widow(er) alone
Disabled worker, spouse, children
All disabled workers
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| Beneficiary type | Before 3.6% COLA | After 3.6% COLA | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| All retired workers | $2,095 | $2,170 | +$75 |
| Aged couple, both receiving benefits | $3,238 | $3,355 | +$117 |
| Widowed mother and two children | $3,932 | $4,074 | +$142 |
| Aged widow(er) alone | $1,936 | $2,005 | +$69 |
| Disabled worker, spouse and one or more children | $2,970 | $3,077 | +$107 |
| All disabled workers | $1,642 | $1,701 | +$59 |
Source: SSA 2027 COLA fact sheet.
When does the 2027 COLA start?
- SSI: the higher payment arrives on December 31, 2026.
- Social Security: the raise starts with benefits payable in January 2027.
- Your notice: people with a my Social Security account can read it online from late November. You need to sign up for paperless notices by November 18 to see it online. Everyone else gets a paper notice in December.
Other Social Security changes for 2027
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum taxable earnings | $184,500 | $192,300 |
| Earnings needed 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 |
| Maximum benefit at full retirement age | $4,152/mo | $4,188/mo |
| SSI payment, individual | $994/mo | $1,029/mo |
| SSI payment, couple | $1,491/mo | $1,544/mo |
| Disability SGA, non-blind | $1,690/mo | $1,770/mo |
| Disability SGA, blind | $2,830/mo | $2,950/mo |
| Trial work period | $1,210/mo | $1,270/mo |
The payroll tax rate does not change: 7.65% for employees and 15.3% for the self-employed. Source: SSA 2027 COLA fact sheet.
What if you lost your job and claim early?
If you claim Social Security before full retirement age and go back to work, the SSA withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $25,560 in 2027. Unemployment benefits do not count as earnings for this test. For more on income after a layoff, read how long insurance lasts after a layoff and see the latest US jobs report.
How the COLA is calculated
By law, the COLA follows the 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 compares July–September 2026 with July–September 2025. The CPI-W is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What about VA disability and Medicare?
VA disability compensation usually rises by the same percentage as the Social Security COLA, once Congress approves it. The Medicare Part B premium for 2027 is set by CMS and will be published on medicare.gov. A higher Part B premium is taken out of your check and can absorb part of the raise.
FAQ
What is the Social Security COLA for 2027?
The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 is 3.6%, announced by the SSA on October 14, 2026.
How much will my Social Security check go up in 2027?
The average retired worker gets about $75 more a month, from $2,095 to $2,170. Your exact amount is in your COLA notice, available online from late November.
When will I get the 2027 Social Security raise?
Social Security beneficiaries get it with January 2027 payments. SSI recipients get it on December 31, 2026.
Is the 2027 COLA higher than 2026?
Yes. The 2026 COLA was 2.8%. The 2027 COLA of 3.6% is the largest since 2023, when it was 8.7%.
What is the maximum taxable earnings for 2027?
$192,300, up from $184,500 in 2026.
Sources: SSA press release, SSA 2027 COLA fact sheet, SSA COLA history. Updated October 16, 2026. See something wrong? Tell us.