Social Security benefits will increase by 3.6% in 2027 under a cost-of-living adjustment announced by the Social Security Administration on October 14, 2026.
The Social Security increase applies to retirement, survivors and disability benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income.
SSA said nearly 72 million beneficiaries will receive the adjustment beginning in January 2027.
For the average retired worker, the change is expected to add about $75 per month.
Social Security’s 2027 fact sheet lists the estimated average monthly retirement benefit rising from $2,095 before the adjustment to $2,170 after the adjustment.
The Social Security announcement gives beneficiaries an early look at their 2027 payment amounts, notice options and several related program limits that will change next year.
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When the 2027 Social Security increase begins
Social Security retirement, survivor and disability beneficiaries will generally see the 3.6% increase in payments issued in January 2027.
The COLA is applied to benefits for December 2026, which are generally payable in January 2027.
The exact payment date still depends on the type of benefit and, for many beneficiaries, the person’s birth date.
SSI recipients will see the increase earlier because SSI payments are normally issued at the beginning of the month.
SSA said increased SSI payments for about 7.3 million people will begin on December 31, 2026.
December 31 is the payment date for the January 2027 SSI payment because January 1 is a federal holiday.
Some people receive both retirement benefits and SSI, so their payment schedules may include both changes.
| Benefit or program | 2027 increase or amount | When it begins |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement benefits | 3.6% COLA | January 2027 payments |
| SSI benefits | 3.6% COLA | December 31, 2026 |
| Average retired-worker benefit | About $2,170 per month | January 2027 |
| Federal SSI payment standard for an individual | $1,029 per month | 2027 |
| Federal SSI payment standard for a couple | $1,544 per month | 2027 |
How much retirement benefits are expected to rise
The 3.6% adjustment does not produce the same dollar increase for every beneficiary.
The dollar amount depends on the person’s current benefit, deductions and other factors.
For example, a $1,500 monthly benefit would increase by about $54 before deductions, while a $2,000 benefit would rise by about $72.
Actual payments may differ because of Medicare premiums, tax withholding, overpayment recovery or other deductions.
SSA estimates that the average retired-worker benefit will increase by approximately $75 per month, from $2,095 to $2,170.
The agency also estimates that the average benefit for an aged couple in which both people receive benefits will rise from $3,238 to $3,355.
The average benefit for all disabled workers is projected to rise from $1,642 to $1,701 per month.
These are national averages rather than guaranteed payment amounts for individual recipients.
SSI payment standards will also increase
The federal SSI payment standard for an individual will rise from $994 per month in 2026 to $1,029 in 2027, according to SSA’s COLA fact sheet.
The federal standard for a couple will increase from $1,491 to $1,544 per month.
Actual SSI payments can be lower or higher depending on countable income, living arrangements, state supplements and other eligibility factors.
The federal SSI resource limits will remain $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in 2027.
The resource limit is separate from the monthly payment standard and affects financial eligibility.
How SSA calculates the 2027 COLA
The Social Security Act links the annual COLA to changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, commonly called CPI-W.
The Social Security Administration’s 2027 fact sheet says the adjustment is based on the increase in CPI-W from the third quarter of 2025 through the third quarter of 2026.
The calculation is intended to adjust benefits as consumer prices change.
The COLA applies broadly to retirement, survivor and disability benefits and to SSI payments.
It does not mean that every household’s total monthly income will rise by exactly 3.6%, because deductions and other income-related changes can affect the final amount received.
Beneficiaries can check notices online in late November
People with personal my Social Security accounts can view their COLA notices online beginning in late November, according to SSA.
The agency says online notices may be available up to three weeks before paper notices arrive.
Account holders can also choose to receive text or email alerts when a new message, including a COLA notice, is placed in the account’s Message Center.
People who do not already have an account must create one and enroll in paperless notices by November 18, 2026, to view their COLA notice online.
Beneficiaries who do not enroll in paperless notices will receive their notices by mail in December.
The agency said the new COLA notice will use a simplified one-page format.
It will provide the recipient’s exact new benefit amount, the effective date and any deductions affecting the payment.
What the 2027 notice will not tell beneficiaries yet
Medicare costs can affect the amount that reaches a beneficiary after the COLA is applied.
SSA said information about 2027 Medicare changes will be available through Medicare.gov.
For Medicare enrollees, the 2027 premium amount is expected to be available through the my Social Security Message Center beginning in late November.
Beneficiaries who do not use online messages will receive the relevant information by mail.
A higher gross benefit therefore may not translate into the same increase in the net deposit if Medicare premiums or other deductions change.
Other Social Security amounts changing in 2027
SSA’s 2027 fact sheet includes several amounts that affect workers, retirees and disabled beneficiaries beyond the COLA.
- The maximum taxable earnings subject to the payroll tax will increase from $184,500 in 2026 to $192,300 in 2027.
- The earnings amount needed to receive one quarter of coverage will increase from $1,890 to $1,970.
- The earnings-test limit for people below full retirement age will rise to $25,560 per year, or $2,130 per month.
- The earnings-test limit for people reaching full retirement age in 2027 will rise to $67,920 for the year, or $5,660 per month for the applicable period.
- The maximum monthly benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age will rise from $4,152 to $4,188.
- The substantial gainful activity threshold for a non-blind disabled worker will increase to $1,770 per month.
- The substantial gainful activity threshold for a blind disabled worker will increase to $2,950 per month.
The earnings-test limits apply to particular beneficiaries and circumstances.
They do not prohibit a person from working while receiving benefits, but benefits may be withheld when earnings exceed the applicable limit before full retirement age.
What beneficiaries should do now
Beneficiaries should review their mailing address, direct-deposit information and contact details in their my Social Security account before notices are issued.
People who want the earliest access to their notice should create an account and complete paperless-notice enrollment by November 18, 2026.
Recipients should compare the exact amount shown on their notice with their current payment and review any listed deductions.
The 3.6% COLA is a nationwide adjustment, but individual payment changes depend on the person’s benefit record and deductions.
Anyone who believes a notice contains an error should contact SSA through its official channels rather than responding to unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting personal information.
What the announcement means for households
The 2027 COLA is a material increase for millions of households that rely on Social Security retirement benefits or SSI to cover housing, food, health care and other recurring expenses.
At the same time, the adjustment is not a promise that household purchasing power will improve by 3.6%.
Inflation varies by household, and Medicare premiums, taxes and other expenses may change the net effect.
The most important next step for Social Security beneficiaries is to review the personalized notice when it becomes available.
That notice, rather than the national average figures, will show the exact payment amount for each individual beginning in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will Social Security benefits increase in 2027?
Social Security benefits will receive a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment in 2027. SSA estimates that average retirement benefits will rise by about $75 per month, from $2,095 to $2,170.
When will the 2027 Social Security increase start?
Most Social Security beneficiaries will see the increase in payments issued in January 2027. SSI recipients will begin receiving increased payments on December 31, 2026.
When will the 2027 Social Security COLA notice arrive?
Beneficiaries with personal my Social Security accounts can view notices online beginning in late November. Those who do not enroll in paperless notices will receive a notice by mail in December.
What is the deadline to receive the COLA notice online?
People without an account must create a personal my Social Security account and enroll in paperless notices by November 18, 2026, to view the COLA notice online.
Fact-Checked: Key figures, payment timing, notice deadlines and 2027 program amounts were checked against Social Security Administration materials dated October 14, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not determine an individual's eligibility or exact benefit amount.
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