Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Social Security 2027 COLA Estimates Rise to 3.5%-3.6%
Social Security payments may go up in 2027.
Groups estimate the increase could be between 3.5% and 3.6%.
This change is called a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.
It is meant to help payments keep up with higher prices.
One group estimates the average monthly check could rise by about $67.90.
Another group estimates the increase could be about $75.
The final number is not known yet.
The government needs another month of inflation information before calculating it.
The Social Security Administration usually announces the official number in October.
Mary Johnson estimates the 2027 Social Security COLA could reach 3.5%.
The Senior Citizens League projects a 3.5% increase, adding about $67.90 to average monthly checks.
AARP forecasts a 3.6% COLA, which could add roughly $75 monthly for average retired workers.
The official adjustment will be announced after another month of inflation data, generally in October.
The calculation uses third-quarter CPI-W data; CPI-W rose 3.5% through August.
- Who
- Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries, along with analysts and advocacy groups making projections.
- What
- The 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is currently estimated at 3.5%-3.6%.
- When
- The official COLA is generally announced in October after another month of inflation data is released.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- The adjustment is calculated to reflect changes in consumer prices and inflation.
Lower Projection
Higher Projection
Estimated 2027 COLA
Lower Projection
Mary Johnson and the Senior Citizens League estimate a 3.5% increase.
Higher Projection
AARP estimates a slightly higher 3.6% increase.
Estimated monthly increase
Lower Projection
The Senior Citizens League projects an average increase of about $67.90 per month.
Higher Projection
AARP projects roughly $75 more per month for the average retired worker.
- Mary Johnson estimate
- A 3.5% COLA for 2027.
- Senior Citizens League estimate
- A 3.5% COLA, with average monthly checks rising by about $67.90.
- AARP estimate
- A 3.6% COLA, adding roughly $75 to the average retired worker’s monthly benefit.
- 2026 COLA
- Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries received a 2.8% increase.
- CPI-W increase
- The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers rose 3.5% over the 12 months through August.
- Ten-year COLA average
- The Social Security Administration says the COLA has averaged about 3.1% over the past decade.
- Highest increase in the past decade
- The COLA reached 8.7% in 2023.