Social Security benefits are going up by 3.6% in 2027! The Social Security Administration announced the increase on October 14, 2026, bringing welcome news to millions of Americans who rely on retirement, disability, survivor, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
According to the announcement, approximately 76 million Americans will be affected by the adjustment.
For the average retired worker, the increase works out to approximately $75 more per month, or about $900 more per year. However, your actual increase could be higher or lower depending on how much you currently receive.
Want to know how much more money you could get? Use our free calculator below to estimate your new monthly benefit.
Free 2027 Social Security COLA Calculator
Enter your current monthly Social Security benefit into the calculator below to see your estimated increase.
2027 Social Security COLA Calculator
Social Security benefits are increasing by 3.6% in 2027. Find out approximately how much more you could receive each month and over the course of the year.
Your Estimated 2027 Benefits
These estimates are based on a 3.6% increase to your current gross monthly benefit. They do not account for individual SSA rounding rules, Medicare premiums, withholding, or other benefit adjustments.
What if Medicare premiums are deducted from my check?
Medicare Part B and other deductions can reduce the amount deposited into your bank account.
This calculation is illustrative. Your actual deductions may change, and some Medicare beneficiaries are protected by the Part B hold-harmless provision.
This calculator is provided by Low Income Relief for general educational purposes only. It is not an official Social Security Administration calculator, and Low Income Relief is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration.
Results are estimates, not guaranteed benefit amounts. Actual payments depend on Social Security's official calculations, rounding, individual circumstances, Medicare premiums, taxes, and other adjustments.
SSI recipients: Supplemental Security Income payments follow separate rules involving countable income, living arrangements, and other circumstances. This calculator cannot determine your actual SSI payment.
The calculator runs in your browser. The amounts entered are not sent to Low Income Relief by this calculator.
For your official benefit amount, visit my Social Security or review your COLA notice. For general information, see the official SSA COLA page .
Important: This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes. It is not an official Social Security Administration tool and cannot determine your exact benefit. Actual payments may differ because of SSA calculation methods, rounding, Medicare premiums, withholding, and individual circumstances. SSI payments follow additional rules that this calculator cannot fully account for.
For the most accurate information about your benefits, log into your mySocialSecurity account or wait for your personalized benefit notice.
How Much Will Social Security Increase in 2027?
The Social Security Administration has confirmed a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027.
This is higher than the 2.8% increase beneficiaries received in 2026.
The annual COLA is intended to help Social Security benefits keep pace with inflation. It’s calculated using changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, also called the CPI-W.
When inflation rises, the government may increase Social Security benefits to help offset higher living expenses.
However, COLA increases don’t necessarily mean beneficiaries will have more spending money. If your rent, groceries, healthcare, and other expenses are rising faster than your benefits, you may still struggle to make ends meet.
How Much More Money Will You Receive?
Your increase depends on your current benefit amount.
For example, someone receiving $1,000 per month will get a smaller dollar increase than someone receiving $2,500 per month because both benefits increase by the same percentage.
Here are some examples of how a 3.6% increase could affect monthly Social Security benefits.
| Current Monthly Benefit | Estimated Monthly Increase | Estimated New Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| $800 | $28.80 | $828.80 |
| $1,000 | $36.00 | $1,036.00 |
| $1,200 | $43.20 | $1,243.20 |
| $1,500 | $54.00 | $1,554.00 |
| $1,800 | $64.80 | $1,864.80 |
| $2,000 | $72.00 | $2,072.00 |
| $2,500 | $90.00 | $2,590.00 |
| $3,000 | $108.00 | $3,108.00 |
These are simplified estimates calculated by multiplying the current monthly benefit by 3.6%. They are not official SSA payment amounts. Actual increases may vary because of benefit calculation rules, rounding, and other adjustments.
If you aren’t sure what your current benefit amount is before deductions, you can check your benefit information through your my Social Security account.
When Will You Get Your 2027 Social Security Increase?
Most people receiving Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits will see the 3.6% increase in their January 2027 payments.
Your regular payment schedule will generally continue.
For many beneficiaries, payments arrive based on their date of birth:
- Born on the 1st through the 10th: Second Wednesday of the month.
- Born on the 11th through the 20th: Third Wednesday of the month.
- Born on the 21st through the 31st: Fourth Wednesday of the month.
Some beneficiaries, including certain people who began receiving benefits before May 1997 and people who receive both Social Security and SSI, follow different payment schedules.
You can review the official 2027 Social Security payment calendar for specific payment dates.
SSI Recipients Will Get Their First Increase Early
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your January 2027 payment is scheduled to arrive on December 31, 2026.
That’s because SSI payments are usually distributed on the first of each month, but January 1 is a federal holiday.
When the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, Social Security generally sends SSI payments on the previous business day.
This is not an extra payment or a bonus check. It’s your regular January SSI payment arriving early.
If you receive a payment on December 31, remember that it’s intended to help cover your January expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions about COLA
Here are some of the questions we are asked most often.
Possibly. If you have Medicare Part B premiums deducted from your Social Security benefits, changes to those premiums could affect how much additional money reaches your bank account.
For example, let’s say your gross Social Security benefit increases by $72 per month.
If your monthly Medicare deductions increase by $10, your take-home payment might increase by approximately $62 instead of the full $72.
This is just an example. Your actual increase will depend on your individual benefit and deductions.
Yes! Supplemental Security Income recipients will also receive a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment in 2027.
However, SSI works differently from regular Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability benefits.
SSI is a needs-based program. Your actual payment may depend on several factors, including your countable income, living arrangements, and whether your state provides an additional SSI supplement.
If you receive other income, including Social Security retirement or disability benefits, that income may affect the amount of SSI you qualify for.
If you receive both programs, your total payment increase may not be as straightforward as multiplying both checks by 3.6%.
For example, an increase in your regular Social Security benefits may also affect your SSI payment calculation.
As a result, your combined benefits may not increase by the amount you expect from a simple percentage calculation.
Our calculator is designed primarily to estimate the gross COLA increase for regular Social Security benefits. It cannot accurately predict individualized SSI payments or combined Social Security and SSI benefits.
If you receive SSI, rely on your official Social Security notice for your new payment amount.
No. The 2027 cost-of-living adjustment is automatic.
If you are eligible for the increase, Social Security will adjust your benefit without requiring a special COLA application.
You do not need to pay anyone to receive the increase.
A 3.6% increase is helpful, but it may not be enough to cover rising costs. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, these programs may help you stretch your Social Security benefits further:
- SNAP Benefits: Get monthly assistance to help pay for groceries. Many seniors and people with disabilities qualify. Learn more about SNAP and EBT benefits.
- Medicare Savings Programs: Eligible Medicare recipients can get help paying Part B premiums and, depending on the program, other healthcare costs. Learn about Medicare Savings Programs and other benefits for seniors.
- Extra Help: This federal program can reduce Medicare Part D prescription drug costs for eligible people with limited income and resources. Learn more about Extra Help.
- LIHEAP and Utility Assistance: Get help with heating, cooling, and other utility bills through government and nonprofit programs. Find utility assistance programs.
- Food Pantries and Senior Food Programs: Some programs provide free groceries, food boxes, or prepared meals. Find free food programs near you.
- Housing Assistance: Rental assistance, subsidized housing, and other programs may help eligible households manage housing expenses. Explore housing assistance programs.
Eligibility, availability, and funding vary by program and location. Receiving Social Security does not automatically disqualify you from these resources.
Need help with something else? Visit our free assistance directory to explore more programs that could help you save money on everyday expenses.
Relief Recap
The 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027 means millions of Americans will receive higher monthly benefits.
For the average retired worker, that works out to approximately $75 more per month.
However, the exact amount you receive will depend on your benefit amount, individual circumstances, and applicable deductions.
Use our free calculator above to estimate your increase, then review your official Social Security notice when it becomes available to confirm your new payment.
