How much more
What 3.6% means for typical benefits
SSA estimates that the average retired worker benefit rises from $2,095 to $2,170 a month in January 2027, about $75 more. Its estimates for other groups:
| Beneficiary group | Before 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 |
The maximum benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age is $4,188 a month in 2027, up from $4,152 in 2026.
Payment dates
When the 3.6% raise reaches your account
The COLA applies to benefits for December 2026. Social Security pays each month's benefit in the following month, so the first larger payment arrives in January 2027. On SSA's standard schedule that is:
- January 13, 2027 if your birthday falls on the 1st to the 10th
- January 20, 2027 for birthdays on the 11th to the 20th
- January 27, 2027 for birthdays on the 21st to the 31st
People who started benefits before May 1997, or who get both Social Security and SSI, are normally paid on the 3rd of the month instead. SSI payments for January 2027 go out on December 31, 2026, because January 1 is a holiday. SSA posts COLA notices in the my Social Security Message Center starting in late November 2026 and mails paper notices in December. To see yours online, you need an account enrolled in paperless notices by November 18.
The formula
How SSA calculated the 2027 COLA
The Social Security Act ties the COLA to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). SSA compares the July to September average for the current year with the same average from the last year a COLA took effect. The third-quarter 2026 average was 328.746, against 317.265 in 2025, a 3.6% increase after rounding to the nearest tenth of a percent.
| COLA first paid in January of | COLA |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8.7% |
| 2024 | 3.2% |
| 2025 | 2.5% |
| 2026 | 2.8% |
| 2027 | 3.6% |
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B and your net deposit
If your Medicare Part B premium is taken out of your benefit, your deposit rises by less than the full COLA whenever the premium also goes up. As of October 21, 2026, the 2027 Part B premium had not been announced. SSA says Medicare enrollees can see their 2027 premium in the my Social Security Message Center starting in late November. For reference, the 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month, and higher-income enrollees pay more.
The calculator applies 3.6% to your benefit before deductions, then subtracts any premiums you enter. The Social Security Act rounds the monthly payment down to the next lower whole dollar after the Part B deduction, so your notice can differ from this estimate by up to $1.
SSI
2027 SSI federal payment amounts
| Monthly federal SSI amount | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible individual | $994 | $1,029 |
| Eligible individual with an eligible spouse | $1,491 | $1,544 |
The 2027 amount for an essential person is $516 a month. SSA reduces these maximums by countable income, and some states add a supplement.
Other 2027 changes: the Social Security wage base rises to $192,300, the earnings limit for working beneficiaries rises to $25,560, and the HSA contribution limits rise to $4,500 and $9,000. To check how much of your benefit may be taxed, use the Social Security benefits tax calculator.
Questions
2027 Social Security COLA FAQ
How much is the Social Security COLA for 2027?
It is 3.6%. The increase applies to Social Security benefits starting with December 2026 benefits paid in January 2027, and to SSI starting with the payment made on December 31, 2026.
How much will my Social Security check go up in 2027?
Multiply your current benefit before deductions by 1.036. A $1,500 benefit rises to $1,554 and a $2,000 benefit to $2,072. SSA estimates the average retired worker benefit goes from $2,095 to $2,170 a month.
When will I see the 2027 COLA in my payment?
In January 2027. Most people are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday based on their birth date, which is January 13, 20 or 27, 2027. SSI recipients get the increase in the payment dated December 31, 2026.
What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2027?
It had not been announced as of October 21, 2026. The 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month. Once the 2027 amount is set, it is deducted from your new benefit and shown on your COLA notice.
What are the SSI payment amounts for 2027?
The maximum federal SSI payment is $1,029 a month for an eligible individual, $1,544 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse and $516 for an essential person. Countable income reduces these amounts, and some states add a supplement.
Sources
- SSA: Latest Cost-of-Living Adjustment: 3.6% COLA, payment timing and the CPI-W computation
- SSA: COLA information for 2027: SSI payments from December 31, 2026, COLA history
- SSA: 2027 COLA Fact Sheet: average benefits before and after the COLA, maximum benefit, SSI amounts
- SSA: Press release, October 14, 2026: average $75 increase, COLA notices and the November 18 paperless date
- SSA: SSI Federal Payment Amounts for 2027: $1,029, $1,544 and $516
- SSA: Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2027: Wednesday payment schedule by birth date
- SSA: Social Security Act, section 215(g): rounding the monthly payment down to the next lower dollar
- CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles: $202.90 standard Part B premium for 2026
- Last updated October 21, 2026
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