Social Security and SSI benefits will rise 3.6% in 2027, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) the Social Security Administration announced on October 14, 2026. For a retiree receiving $2,000 a month, that works out to $72 more per month before any change in Medicare premiums. Most people will see the higher amount in their January 2027 payment, and SSI recipients will see it on December 31, 2026.
Key takeaways
- The 2027 COLA is 3.6%, up from the 2.8% increase that took effect in 2026.
- The raise applies to retirement, survivor and disability (SSDI) benefits, and to Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- The average retired-worker benefit is estimated at about $2,170 a month in January 2027, roughly $75 more than before.
- Medicare Part B is projected to rise from $202.90 to $209.50 a month in 2027, which would take $6.60 back out of many checks. The final figure has not been announced yet.
- Your personal COLA notice arrives in December 2026, by mail and in your my Social Security account.
What the 3.6% COLA is and who gets it
Every year, Social Security benefits are adjusted to keep up with rising prices. The adjustment is based on a measure of consumer prices, and when prices have gone up, benefits go up by the same percentage. For 2027, that percentage is 3.6%.
This is a noticeably larger raise than last year. The 2026 COLA was 2.8%, so the 2027 increase is almost a full percentage point higher. For many households, that difference shows up as real money over twelve months.
The COLA is not something you need to apply for. It is added automatically to:
- Retirement benefits, including spousal benefits
- Survivor benefits for widows, widowers and other family members
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Altogether, nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries and about 7.3 million SSI recipients are affected.
How much more you will get: worked examples
The math is straightforward. Multiply your current monthly benefit (before any deductions) by 0.036 to see the raise, then add it to your current benefit. Here are a few round-number examples, before Medicare or tax withholding.
| Benefit in 2026 | 3.6% raise | Benefit in 2027 | Extra per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $36.00 | $1,036.00 | $432 |
| $1,500 | $54.00 | $1,554.00 | $648 |
| $2,000 | $72.00 | $2,072.00 | $864 |
| $2,500 | $90.00 | $2,590.00 | $1,080 |
| $3,000 | $108.00 | $3,108.00 | $1,296 |
Suppose your benefit is $2,000 a month. Three point six percent of $2,000 is $72, so your new benefit becomes $2,072 a month, or $864 more over the full year. The Social Security Administration rounds benefit amounts slightly, so your exact figure may differ by a few cents.
The average retired worker, by the agency's estimate, will receive about $2,170 a month in January 2027, an increase of roughly $75. The highest possible benefit for someone claiming at full retirement age in 2027 is $4,188 a month.
Enter your own benefit amount to see your 2027 raise, with and without the projected Medicare change.
Use the 2027 COLA CalculatorThe Medicare Part B factor: your net raise
If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and the premium is taken out of your Social Security payment, the amount that lands in your bank account will rise by less than the full COLA. That is because Part B premiums usually go up in January too.
In 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects a 2027 standard premium of $209.50, an increase of $6.60. This figure is a projection. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services typically announces the final 2027 premium in mid-November 2026, and it could come in higher or lower.
Net example using the projected premium
Go back to the $2,000 benefit. Before the COLA, the deposit was $2,000 minus $202.90, or $1,797.10. In 2027, it would be $2,072 minus the projected $209.50, or $1,862.50. The net gain is $65.40 a month ($72.00 COLA minus $6.60 premium increase).
| 2026 benefit | COLA raise | Projected Part B increase | Net monthly gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $54.00 | $6.60 | $47.40 |
| $2,000 | $72.00 | $6.60 | $65.40 |
| $3,000 | $108.00 | $6.60 | $101.40 |
Higher-income retirees pay more than the standard premium through a surcharge called IRMAA, which for 2027 is based on your 2025 income. If that applies to you, the gap between your COLA and your premium increase may be wider. Our guide to 2027 Part B premiums and IRMAA walks through the projected brackets.
What the COLA means for SSI
SSI is a needs-based program, and its maximum federal payment rises with the COLA too. For 2027 the federal payment standard is:
- $1,029 a month for an eligible individual, up from $994
- $1,544 a month for an eligible couple, up from $1,491
That is $35 more a month for an individual and $53 more for a couple. Many states add their own supplement on top of the federal amount. The resource limits of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple did not change.
One timing detail surprises people every year. January 1, 2027 is a holiday, so the January SSI payment is sent early, on December 31, 2026. That December 31 deposit is the first one that includes the higher 2027 amount. Our article on 2027 SSI payment amounts explains how other income can reduce the check.
When the higher payment arrives
The COLA applies to benefits for December 2026, which are paid in January 2027. Most people will see the raise on their usual January payment date, which depends on their birthday:
- Born on the 1st through 10th: Wednesday, January 13, 2027
- Born on the 11th through 20th: Wednesday, January 20, 2027
- Born on the 21st through 31st: Wednesday, January 27, 2027
People who started benefits before May 1997, or who receive both Social Security and SSI, are normally paid on the 3rd. In January 2027 that payment moves up to December 31, 2026. You can look up every month in our 2027 Social Security payment schedule.
Your individual COLA notice, showing your new benefit amount and any Medicare deduction, will be mailed in December 2026 and posted in the Message Center of your my Social Security account.
Other Social Security numbers that change in 2027
The COLA announcement also updates several limits that matter to people who are still working or who receive disability benefits.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax | $184,500 | $192,300 |
| Substantial gainful activity (non-blind) | $1,690 a month | $1,770 a month |
| Substantial gainful activity (blind) | $2,830 a month | $2,950 a month |
| SSI federal payment, individual | $994 a month | $1,029 a month |
| SSI federal payment, couple | $1,491 a month | $1,544 a month |
A few other 2027 figures do not have a 2026 comparison in our fact sheet but are useful to know: the earnings limit is $25,560 a year if you are under full retirement age all year, and $67,920 a year in the year you reach it; and one work credit requires $1,970 in earnings.
| Bend points for the benefit formula | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| First bend point | $1,286 | $1,340 |
| Second bend point | $7,749 | $8,077 |
The bend points apply to people who turn 62 in 2027 and determine how their starting benefit is figured. Our guide to how Social Security calculates your benefit explains them step by step.
If you have claimed benefits before full retirement age and still work, the earnings test can temporarily withhold some benefits: $1 for every $2 you earn above $25,560, or $1 for every $3 above $67,920 in the year you reach full retirement age. Our 2027 earnings limit guide covers how that works and how withheld money is credited back later.
Will the COLA raise my taxes?
Possibly, for some people. Federal tax on Social Security depends on your "provisional income," which includes half of your benefits. The income thresholds used in that test, $25,000 for single filers and $32,000 for married couples filing jointly, are not adjusted for inflation. As benefits rise each year, more retirees gradually cross those lines.
For most people the effect of one year's COLA is small, but if you are already close to a threshold, it is worth running the numbers. Our explainer on whether Social Security is taxable shows the full calculation with examples.
Planning with your 2027 raise
A 3.6% COLA helps, but it is meant to keep pace with prices, not to get you ahead. A few practical steps:
- Check your December notice. Compare the new gross benefit and the Medicare deduction with what you expected.
- Update your budget in January. Use the net deposit, not the gross raise, as your new monthly income.
- Review tax withholding. If you have federal tax withheld from benefits, a higher benefit may mean a slightly different picture at tax time.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
The cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 is 3.6%. It applies to Social Security retirement, survivor and disability benefits and to SSI. For comparison, the 2026 COLA was 2.8%.
When will I see the 3.6% increase?
Most Social Security beneficiaries will see it in their January 2027 payment, on January 13, 20 or 27 depending on their birthday. SSI recipients, and people paid on the 3rd of the month, receive the first higher payment on December 31, 2026.
How much will my check go up if I get $2,000 a month?
Your gross benefit would rise by $72.00 to $2,072.00. If your Part B premium is deducted and it rises from $202.90 to the projected $209.50, your net deposit would increase by about $65.40 a month. The final 2027 Part B premium is expected in mid-November 2026.
Do I have to do anything to get the COLA?
No. The increase is applied automatically. You will receive a notice in December 2026 showing your new benefit amount, and you can also view it in your my Social Security account.
Do people who have not claimed yet benefit from the COLA?
Yes. Once you reach age 62, COLAs are applied to your benefit amount each year even if you have not started collecting, so delaying your claim does not cause you to lose these increases.
Sources
This guide is for general education and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and amounts can change; confirm details with the Social Security Administration, the IRS or Medicare. Spotted an error? Let us know.