๐Ÿ“ˆ 2027 Social Security COLA

2027 Social Security COLA Calculator: Estimate Your Raise

See how much your Social Security check could rise in 2027, then see how much of that raise remains after Medicare Part B. Pick a forecast scenario or type your own percent.

Results are estimates, not an official SSA payment. The official 2027 COLA is expected to be announced October 14, 2026. The 2027 Part B premium is a projection until CMS publishes it.

Quick answer

The 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is expected to land between about 3.4 and 3.6 percent, based on forecasts published in September 2026 by AARP, The Senior Citizens League and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. On the $2,085.98 average retired-worker benefit, a 3.5 percent COLA is about $73 more per month before Medicare. The official COLA is expected to be announced on October 14, 2026, after the September CPI report, which BLS schedules for 8:30 a.m. Eastern that day. The exact time of the SSA announcement is not confirmed.

3.4 to 3.6%Forecast range, September 2026
$2,085.98Average retired-worker benefit, July 2026
Oct 14Expected COLA announcement
2.8%The 2026 COLA

2027 Social Security COLA calculator: estimate your raise

Enter your current gross monthly benefit, before Medicare deductions. Results update as you type. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.

1. Your benefit and COLA
Before Medicare deductions. The $2,085.98 default is the retired-worker average.
Between 0 and 20.
COLA scenario
2. Medicare Part B

Enter your benefit to see your estimate.

Estimated monthly raise (gross)–
Estimated new gross monthly benefit–
Simple 12-month estimate of the raise (gross)–
Part B premium change–
Current check after Part B (2026)–
Estimated check after Part B (2027)–
Estimated change after the standard Part B premium change, before individual protections and other deductions–

Estimate, not an official SSA payment. SSA applies its own rounding, and your actual Medicare deduction can differ.

How much will Social Security increase in 2027?

The raise equals your current benefit multiplied by the COLA percent. This is an illustration using a 3.5% scenario and the July 2026 average retired-worker benefit of $2,085.98. It is not a confirmed payment. The actual COLA depends on the full third-quarter CPI-W average and the official SSA calculation.

StepResult
Current gross monthly benefit$2,085.98
Scenario COLA (illustration only)3.5%
Estimated monthly raise$73.01
Estimated new gross monthly benefit$2,158.99 before SSA-specific rounding
Projected Part B increase$6.60 per month
Estimated change after the standard Part B change (simplified)$66.41 per month

The $2,085.98 figure is the average for retired workers only. The average across all beneficiaries is lower, at $1,940.08. Both come from the SSA July 2026 statistical snapshot. Enter your own benefit for a useful result.

Latest 2027 COLA forecasts

These forecasts were published in September 2026 using inflation data available before the September CPI release. They are unofficial estimates and may change when the September data is published.

ForecasterEstimateDateSource
AARP3.6%September 11, 2026AARP COLA 2027 forecast
The Senior Citizens League3.5%September 11, 2026TSCL press release
Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget3.4%Reported September 21, 2026Fox Business report

How the 2027 Social Security COLA calculator works

Gross raise

Estimated new benefit = current benefit ร— (1 + COLA percent รท 100)

The official COLA is based on the average CPI-W for July, August and September compared with the same months a year earlier. The 2026 COLA was 2.8 percent. SSA applies its own rounding, so your exact figure can differ from this simple percentage.

Change after Part B

Net change = monthly raise โˆ’ (2027 premium โˆ’ 2026 premium)

This simplified comparison does not apply the hold-harmless rule, income-related surcharges or other deductions. The 2027 premium of $209.50 is a projection from the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report, compared with the confirmed 2026 premium of $202.90. CMS usually announces the official 2027 premium in November. You can edit both premium boxes at any time.

Will the Part B premium reduce my 2027 COLA?

For many people, partly. Most beneficiaries pay Part B through a deduction from their Social Security check, so a higher premium absorbs some of the raise. A hold-harmless rule stops a premium increase from lowering your check below last year’s amount for many eligible people, but it does not cover everyone. People new to Medicare or to Social Security payments are among the groups outside it.

Why your actual payment can differ from this estimate

SSA applies the COLA under its own benefit-calculation and rounding rules. Your Medicare deduction can also change if you pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA), if you are new to Medicare, or if the hold-harmless rule applies to you. Other deductions, such as taxes withheld or a Medicare Advantage or Part D premium, are not included here.

Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026

Changes made during open enrollment generally take effect January 1, 2027. Review your plan’s Annual Notice of Change, check your drugs and doctors against next year’s plan, and compare options in the official Medicare Plan Finder.

2027 Social Security COLA calculator: FAQ

When is the 2027 COLA announced?
The BLS schedule lists the September CPI report for October 14, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, and the COLA is expected to be announced that day. Treat 8:30 a.m. as the CPI release time rather than a confirmed exact minute for the SSA announcement.
What COLA does this calculator assume?
It offers 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 percent scenarios based on the range of September 2026 forecasts, plus a custom field. These are estimates. After the official announcement the page will switch to the official percent.
When will I see the higher payment?
The 2027 COLA applies to benefits payable starting in January 2027. SSA mails personalized notices in early December with your exact amount.
Does the COLA apply to SSI?
Yes. The COLA applies to both Social Security benefits and SSI payments. The Medicare section of this calculator only applies if you pay Part B from your benefit.
Is this my exact 2027 payment?
No. It is an estimate. Your exact amount depends on the final COLA, rounding, your actual Medicare premium and any other deductions.

How this page is built

The calculator makes these assumptions, so treat every result as an estimate:

  • The raise is your entered benefit multiplied by the COLA percent you select or type.
  • The Part B comparison subtracts the premium change from the raise and ignores individual protections and other deductions.
  • The 12-month figure is the monthly raise multiplied by 12.

Sources: SSA cost-of-living adjustment information (the authority for the official COLA), the BLS CPI release schedule, and the SSA statistical snapshot for July 2026 average benefits. Forecasts are in the dated table above and are not official.

Medicare: the $202.90 figure is the confirmed 2026 standard Part B premium set by CMS. The $209.50 figure for 2027 is a projection from the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report, summarized by AARP. CMS usually confirms the official 2027 premium in November. Figures last checked October 11, 2026. Built and checked by R.K., Creator and Business Economics Analyst.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for planning only and is not financial, tax or benefits advice. Ultimate Info Guide is independent and is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or Medicare. For your exact benefit, check your my Social Security account or contact SSA.
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