Social Security 2027 COLA announcement date confirmed

Social Security beneficiaries in the United States are awaiting the announcement of the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is scheduled for release on October 14, 2026. The adjustment is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), specifically by averaging the inflation readings from July, August, and September and comparing them to the same quarter from the previous year.

Recent forecasts suggest a COLA of approximately 3.4% to 3.6%, which would represent an increase over the 2.8% adjustment applied for 2026. If a 3.6% increase is realized, a beneficiary receiving $2,000 per month would see an increase of roughly $72, bringing their monthly payment to approximately $2,072. Any approved increases are set to take effect with benefits payable in January 2027.