2027 COLA calculator: what the 3.6% raise means for your check
Updated November 9, 2026 · Official SSA figures, announced October 14, 2026
Social Security benefits rise 3.6% in January 2027. The average retired worker's check goes from $2,095 to $2,170 a month, about $75 more. Enter your benefit to see your new amount.
Your 2027 Social Security check
SSA mails 2027 benefit notices in December, and they also appear in your my Social Security message center. The notice shows your exact amount after Medicare. See how much of your raise Medicare takes →
The 3.6% raise at every benefit level
| 2026 benefit | 2027 benefit | Raise per month | Raise per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $1,036.00 | +$36.00 | +$432 |
| $1,500 | $1,554.00 | +$54.00 | +$648 |
| $2,000 | $2,072.00 | +$72.00 | +$864 |
| $2,500 | $2,590.00 | +$90.00 | +$1,080 |
| $3,000 | $3,108.00 | +$108.00 | +$1,296 |
| $3,500 | $3,626.00 | +$126.00 | +$1,512 |
| $4,000 | $4,144.00 | +$144.00 | +$1,728 |
Average benefits before and after the COLA
| Beneficiary | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All retired workers | $2,095 | $2,170 | +$75 |
| Aged couple, both receiving benefits | $3,238 | $3,355 | +$117 |
| Widowed mother and two children | $3,932 | $4,074 | +$142 |
| Aged widow(er) alone | $1,936 | $2,005 | +$69 |
| Disabled worker, spouse and children | $2,970 | $3,077 | +$107 |
| All disabled workers | $1,642 | $1,701 | +$59 |
Other Social Security numbers for 2027
| Maximum earnings taxed for Social Security | $192,300 a year |
|---|---|
| Earnings limit before full retirement age | $25,560 a year ($1 withheld for every $2 above) |
| Earnings limit in the year you reach full retirement age | $67,920 a year ($1 withheld for every $3 above) |
| Maximum benefit at full retirement age | $4,188 a month |
| SSI federal payment | $1,029 a month (individual), $1,544 (couple) |
| Earnings for one work credit | $1,970 |
| Substantial gainful activity (disability) | $1,770 a month ($2,950 if blind) |
Recent COLAs
| Year | COLA |
|---|---|
| 2027 | 3.6% |
| 2026 | 2.8% |
| 2025 | 2.5% |
| 2024 | 3.2% |
| 2023 | 8.7% |
The raise is good news, but the bigger number for retirees is still ahead: under current law, checks would be cut about 22% when the retirement trust fund runs out in late 2032. See what that cut means for your check →
Questions people ask
How much is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
3.6%, announced by the Social Security Administration on October 14, 2026. It is the largest increase since 2023.
When does the 3.6% increase start?
With Social Security payments in January 2027. SSI recipients get the increase with the payment dated December 31, 2026.
How much will the average check go up?
The average retired worker's benefit rises about $75, from $2,095 to $2,170 a month.
Why might my deposit rise by less than 3.6%?
Medicare Part B premiums are usually taken out of Social Security checks. If the 2027 premium rises, part of your COLA goes to it. Enter both premiums in the calculator to see your net change.
How is the COLA calculated?
By the rise in the CPI-W, a consumer price index, from the third quarter of last year to the third quarter of this year, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent.
Sources
More headline calculators
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