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📅 Official 2027 COLA announces October 14, 2026. This calculator uses current expert estimates and will update automatically once the SSA confirms the final rate.
3.6%
Your Benefit: 2026 vs. Estimated 2027
Social Security COLA History, 2018–2027 (est.)
Actual
2027 estimate
How the COLA Is Calculated
Each year, the Social Security Administration compares the average CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers) for July, August, and September against the same three months from the last year a COLA was applied. The percentage change becomes the following January's COLA.
The 2026 COLA was 2.8%, based on third-quarter 2025 data. Two of the three months needed for the 2027 COLA are already known, which is why current estimates cluster around 3.5%–3.6% — the highest since 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2027 Social Security COLA announced?
The Social Security Administration announces the official COLA on October 14, 2026, alongside the September CPI-W inflation report. The new amount takes effect with January 2027 benefit payments.
How is the Social Security COLA calculated?
COLA is based on the percentage change in the CPI-W between the third quarter (July, August, September) of the current year and the third quarter of the last year a COLA was applied.
Does the COLA increase get reduced by Medicare premiums?
For most beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B, the standard premium is deducted directly from the Social Security check. If the Part B premium rises, it can offset part of the COLA increase.
What is the estimated 2027 COLA?
As of September 2026, independent estimates range from 3.5% (The Senior Citizens League) to 3.6% (AARP). The final figure won't be official until October 14, 2026.