U.S. Social Security COLA Outlook and Top Paying States

The 2027 cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security is projected to be unusually high, with forecasts ranging from 3.8% to 4.7% as inflation rebounds above 4% and earlier trade‑policy effects boost prices. The increase would benefit the more than 71 million current beneficiaries—retirees, disabled workers, and survivors—marking the fourth‑largest raise in the program’s 36‑year history.

A separate analysis shows that retirees’ monthly benefits vary sharply by residence. The ten states with the highest average Social Security checks lead with Connecticut at $2,196.15, New Jersey at $2,190.05, and New Hampshire at $2,183.82 per month, reflecting higher lifetime earnings in those regions.