By Fintrovert · Last updated: October 24, 2026
Social Security benefits will go up 3.6% in 2027. The Social Security Administration announced the raise on October 14, 2026. It applies to nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries starting in January 2027, and to about 7.3 million people on SSI, whose higher payments start December 31, 2026 (SSA press release).
1. What’s official
- COLA: 3.6%, based on the rise in the CPI-W from the third quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026.
- Who gets it: retirement, survivor, and disability beneficiaries, plus SSI recipients.
- Your notice: You can see it in your my Social Security account starting in late November. Paper notices go out in December. To get yours online, sign up for paperless notices by November 18.
2. How the average benefit changes
| Beneficiary type | Before COLA | After 3.6% COLA |
|---|---|---|
| All retired workers | $2,095 | $2,170 |
| Aged couple, both receiving | $3,238 | $3,355 |
| Widowed mother and two children | $3,932 | $4,074 |
| Aged widow(er) alone | $1,936 | $2,005 |
| Disabled worker, spouse and children | $2,970 | $3,077 |
| All disabled workers | $1,642 | $1,701 |
These are SSA’s estimated averages payable in January 2027 (2027 COLA fact sheet). On average, the raise works out to about $75 more a month for retired workers.
The fact sheet lists the maximum benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age at $4,188 a month in 2027, up from $4,152. The SSI federal payment standard goes to $1,029 for an individual and $1,544 for a couple.
3. Worked example
Say your benefit is $1,800 a month in December 2026.
- $1,800 × 3.6% = $64.80
- New gross benefit: about $1,864.80 (SSA rounds down to the dime, then rounds the payment down to the whole dollar)
- Over 12 months, that’s roughly $777 more before Medicare deductions
If your Medicare Part B premium is taken out of your check, the amount that actually lands in your account depends on the 2027 premium. That figure hasn’t been announced yet.
4. When the higher payments arrive
The 3.6% raise first shows up in January 2027 payments. SSI’s January payment arrives early, on December 31, 2026. Social Security payment days follow the usual rule: if your birthday falls on the 1st–10th, you’re paid on the second Wednesday of the month; the 11th–20th, the third Wednesday; and the 21st–31st, the fourth Wednesday. For January 2027, those are the 13th, 20th, and 27th. People who started benefits before May 1997, or who get both Social Security and SSI, are generally paid on the 3rd. You can confirm your date on SSA’s official 2027 payment schedule.
5. 2027 earnings test limits
| Situation | 2026 | 2027 | Withholding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under full retirement age all year | $24,480 | $25,560 | $1 for every $2 over the limit |
| Year you reach full retirement age | $65,160 | $67,920 | $1 for every $3 over the limit (only for months before FRA) |
| From the month you reach FRA | No limit | ||
6. Medicare Part B note (pending CMS)
CMS hasn’t released the 2027 Part B premium yet. When it does, it will be posted at Medicare.gov, and SSA says the premium will show up in your my Social Security Message Center starting in late November. We’ll update this article once the number is out.
7. What to do now
Make room for the increase in your budget, but don’t count on a full 3.6% until you know your Part B premium. If you have extra cash, look over our guides to stock market investing in the USA and choosing a financial advisor.
8. FAQs
How much is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
3.6%. It starts with January 2027 benefits.
How much more will the average retiree get?
About $75 a month. The estimated average goes from $2,095 to $2,170.
When will SSI recipients see the raise?
On December 31, 2026.
Will Medicare eat into my raise?
It might. That depends on the 2027 Part B premium, which CMS hasn’t announced yet.
For general information only. Figures are from SSA sources linked above.