Social Security benefits will rise 3.6% in 2027, giving the average retired worker about $75 more per month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed on October 14, 2026. The increase will reach nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries beginning with January payments, while approximately 7.3 million Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive their higher January benefit on December 31, 2026.
The annual cost-of-living adjustment, known as COLA, is intended to help benefits keep pace with inflation. Across Social Security and SSI, the agency says about 76 million Americans will be affected, with some people receiving benefits from both programs. The newly announced 3.6% adjustment is higher than the 2.8% COLA applied in 2026, according to SSA’s official COLA history.
How much will Social Security benefits increase in 2027?
SSA estimates that the average monthly benefit for a retired worker will rise from $2,095 before the adjustment to $2,170 after it takes effect. That is an increase of $75 a month, or approximately $900 over a full year at the new rate. Actual dollar increases will vary based on each person’s current benefit.
The agency’s 2027 COLA fact sheet provides these estimated monthly comparisons:
| Benefit group | Before 2027 COLA | After 2027 COLA |
|---|---|---|
| All retired workers (average) | $2,095 | $2,170 |
| Retired couple, both receiving benefits (average) | $3,238 | $3,355 |
| All disabled workers (average) | $1,642 | $1,701 |
| Aged widow or widower living alone (average) | $1,936 | $2,005 |
These are national estimates, not guaranteed payments for any individual. Medicare deductions and other adjustments can affect the net amount deposited into a beneficiary’s account.
When will the 2027 COLA increase be paid?
The increase applies to Social Security benefits for December 2026, which are paid in January 2027. For most people on the birthday-based payment schedule, the first increased checks or deposits are scheduled for January 13, January 20 or January 27, 2027, depending on the birth date associated with their benefit record.
| Birth date | January 2027 payment date |
|---|---|
| 1st–10th of the month | Wednesday, January 13 |
| 11th–20th of the month | Wednesday, January 20 |
| 21st–31st of the month | Wednesday, January 27 |
Different timing generally applies to people who began receiving Social Security before May 1997 and those who receive both Social Security and SSI. They normally receive Social Security on the third of the month and SSI on the first, with dates adjusted when weekends or holidays intervene. Check the official SSA 2027 payment calendar (PDF) for the schedule applicable to you.
SSI recipients will receive their increased January 2027 federal payment on Thursday, December 31, 2026, because January 1 is a federal holiday. Receiving the January SSI payment in December does not mean an additional SSI benefit is being issued.
What changes for SSI recipients in 2027?
The maximum federal SSI payment standard will increase from $994 to $1,029 a month for an eligible individual, and from $1,491 to $1,544 for an eligible couple, according to SSA. These are federal maximums; countable income, living arrangements and any state supplement can change what a recipient actually receives. SSI resource limits remain at $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
Other Social Security limits are changing
The 2027 update also affects workers who pay into Social Security or collect benefits while employed. The maximum annual earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax will rise from $184,500 in 2026 to $192,300 in 2027.
For beneficiaries who are under full retirement age throughout the year, the annual earnings limit will increase to $25,560. SSA generally withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above that limit. For people reaching full retirement age during 2027, the higher limit is $67,920 for earnings before the month they reach that age, with $1 withheld for every $3 over the threshold. Once a worker reaches full retirement age, the retirement earnings test no longer applies.
How to check your personal 2027 Social Security amount
SSA says personalized COLA notices will begin appearing in the Message Center of eligible my Social Security accounts in late November 2026. People who need to create an account and enroll in paperless notices should do so by November 18, 2026 to access their notice online. Beneficiaries who have not enrolled in paperless notices should receive a mailed notice in December.
The notice will show each person’s updated benefit and any deductions. Recipients do not need to apply separately for the COLA: the adjustment is automatic.
Anyone enrolled in Medicare should also watch for 2027 premium information. Higher Medicare premiums, if applicable, may reduce the size of the increase that appears in a net Social Security deposit. Official Medicare updates will be available from Medicare.gov; beneficiaries should avoid relying on unconfirmed premium estimates.
Why is the 2027 COLA 3.6%?
Federal law links the annual Social Security COLA to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or CPI-W, produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. SSA compares the average index during July, August and September with the corresponding three-month average from the previous year. That calculation produced the confirmed 3.6% increase for 2027.
The adjustment is designed to protect purchasing power, but it does not mean every household’s expenses will rise by exactly 3.6%. Housing, medical bills, food and other costs vary by location and individual circumstances.
