The 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is 3.6%. The government's September inflation report, released October 14, 2026, completed the numbers that set it: the July–September average of the CPI-W rose from 317.265 to 328.746, which rounds to 3.6%. A $1,800 monthly benefit goes up about $64.80, to roughly $1,864.80, starting with benefits for December 2026, paid in January 2027.
Key takeaways
- The 2027 COLA is 3.6%, up from 2.8% for 2026. The math: 328.746 ÷ 317.265 = 1.0362, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent.
- September's CPI-W was 330.654, up 3.9% over 12 months. It was the last of the three months (July, August, September) that set the COLA.
- A $1,800 monthly benefit rises about $64.80 to roughly $1,864.80. That is about $777.60 more over a full year.
- Higher payments start with benefits for December 2026, paid in January 2027, the same timing as last year's COLA.
- Your Medicare Part B premium is usually taken from your check, so your net raise can be smaller than 3.6%.
If you get Social Security, your check is going up. The number that decides how much came out on October 14, and it is 3.6%. That is bigger than last year’s 2.8% because prices climbed faster this summer, led by gasoline.
Here is how the raise was worked out, what it adds to a real-life check, and the one thing that can shrink it.
What is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
The COLA, short for cost-of-living adjustment, is a yearly raise that helps Social Security benefits keep up with rising prices. Congress does not vote on it. It is a formula based on one inflation measure, the CPI-W. That stands for the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published the September 2026 report on October 14. It showed the CPI-W at 330.654, up 3.9% from a year earlier. September was the last month needed.
How was the 3.6% worked out?
As SSA explains in its 2026 Federal Register notice, the COLA compares two averages: the CPI-W for July, August and September of this year, and the same three months of the last year a COLA was set. The percentage increase is rounded to the nearest tenth.
The monthly values come from the BLS CPI-W data series:
| July | August | September | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 316.349 | 317.306 | 318.139 | 317.265 |
| 2026 | 327.104 | 328.481 | 330.654 | 328.746 |
The math: 328.746 ÷ 317.265 = 1.0362. That is a 3.62% increase, which rounds to 3.6%.
Our pre-announcement post showed this range: with July and August already out, a September reading of 329 meant 3.4% and 331 meant 3.7%. The actual 330.654 landed between them.
How much more will I get?
Multiply your monthly benefit by 0.036 and add it back. This is an illustration, not your exact amount, because SSA computes each person’s payment itself.
| Current monthly benefit | Increase (× 0.036) | New monthly benefit | Extra over 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $36.00 | $1,036.00 | $432.00 |
| $1,500 | $54.00 | $1,554.00 | $648.00 |
| $1,800 | $64.80 | $1,864.80 | $777.60 |
| $2,200 | $79.20 | $2,279.20 | $950.40 |
| $3,000 | $108.00 | $3,108.00 | $1,296.00 |
For example, on a $1,800 benefit: $1,800 × 0.036 = $64.80 more per month, and $64.80 × 12 = $777.60 more per year.
How does 3.6% compare with past COLAs?
SSA’s COLA summary page lists every adjustment since 1975. The recent ones:
| Benefit year | COLA |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 8.7% |
| 2024 | 3.2% |
| 2025 | 2.5% |
| 2026 | 2.8% |
| 2027 | 3.6% |
When does the increase start?
SSA applied last year’s 2.8% COLA to benefits for December 2025, paid in January 2026. The same timing is expected for 2027, so the first larger payment arrives in January 2027.
Will the raise be smaller than 3.6% for me?
Possibly. Most people on Medicare have their Part B premium, the monthly charge for doctor and outpatient coverage, taken straight out of their Social Security payment. If that premium goes up for 2027, part of your raise goes to it.
Look for the 2027 Part B premium from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which is separate from the COLA. Until it is published, treat 3.6% as the raise before any change in premiums. Medicare’s open enrollment period is also a good time to review your plan costs.
What to do now
- Find your current monthly benefit on your latest SSA statement or in your online account.
- Multiply it by 0.036 to estimate the increase, as in the table above.
- Check your Medicare Part B premium once CMS publishes the 2027 amount, and subtract any increase from your raise.
- Update your budget. Compare the extra dollars with what you pay for gas, food and housing. Our inflation calculator shows how prices have changed over time.
- Plan ahead. Run your numbers in the retirement calculator or see our 2027 COLA reference page.
- Compare your new amount with your own math once it shows up, and ask SSA if the two differ by more than a few dollars.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
It is 3.6%. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets the COLA by comparing the average CPI-W for July, August and September 2026 (328.746) with the same quarter in 2025 (317.265). The result is 1.0362, which rounds to 3.6%. It is the largest COLA since the 8.7% increase for 2023.
When will the 3.6% increase show up in my check?
SSA applied last year's COLA to benefits for December, which are paid in January, and the same timing is expected for 2027. So the first larger payment arrives in January 2027. Your payment date depends on your birthday or when you started benefits, so it can fall on a different week of the month.
How much will my Social Security go up with a 3.6% COLA?
Multiply your current monthly benefit by 0.036. A $1,500 benefit goes up $54 a month, a $2,200 benefit goes up $79.20, and a $3,000 benefit goes up $108. SSA calculates your exact new amount and mails a notice, so it can differ by a few dollars from this simple math.
Will my Medicare premium take away part of the raise?
It can. Most people on Medicare have their Part B premium deducted from their Social Security payment. If the 2027 premium is higher than the 2026 premium, your net increase is smaller than 3.6%. Check CMS for the 2027 Part B amount when it is published and compare it with what you pay now.
Why is the COLA based on the CPI-W and not the inflation number in the news?
The headline inflation number is the CPI-U, which rose 3.7% over the 12 months ending in September 2026. Social Security uses the CPI-W, a related index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, which rose 3.9% over the same 12 months. The COLA also compares quarterly averages, not a single month.
Is the COLA the same as an inflation raise for my pay?
No. The COLA is a one-time yearly adjustment to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, set by a formula. It does not change your wages. If you are still working, ask your employer about raises separately, and use a pay-raise or inflation calculator to see whether your pay keeps up with prices.