Social Security COLA Announcement Scheduled for October 14; 3.5–3.6% Increase Projected
The Social Security Administration will announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment on October 14, 2026. Current estimates place the raise between 3.5% and 3.6%, significantly higher than the 2.8% beneficiaries received in 2026.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will announce the raise beneficiaries will receive on Oct. 14 at about 8:30 a.m. Eastern. The current estimate is a 3.5% increase, according to the Senior Citizens League. This is significantly larger than the 2.8% raise retirees received for 2026 and would exceed the long-term average.
How the COLA Is Calculated
The COLA is based on how much the CPI-W changes in the third quarter of the year — July, August and September — from the same period the previous year. On October 14, the Social Security Administration will also announce related 2027 figures, including the maximum monthly benefit, the wage base cap, and the value of a Social Security work credit.
What You May Actually Receive
However, it's important to mention that this isn't necessarily the increase retirees will see in their checks. Specifically, most Social Security recipients aged 65 and older pay their Medicare Part B premiums directly from their Social Security checks. We don't yet know what the 2027 Medicare premiums will be, and it's entirely possible (and quite common) for the standard Part B premium to increase at a higher percentage than the COLA.
For expats and foreign-born US residents collecting Social Security abroad, the COLA affects your annual benefit amount. If you're planning to retire or are already receiving benefits, monitor the October 14 announcement—your January 2027 check will reflect the new COLA. Work-visa holders should note that Social Security payroll taxes (FICA) fund these benefits; your contributions today support your future retirement income.
Sources
Independent app, not a government. General information, not advice. The official source:
