Wednesday, November 4, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Social Security Administration announced on Wednesday, Oct. 14, that recipients will receive a 3.6 percent increase in benefits in 2027.
The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will begin for 72 million Social Security beneficiaries in January. It will apply for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, recipients beginning on Dec. 31.
Some individuals receive both types of benefits. SSI provides payments to 7.3 million people with limited income and resources.
The COLA is based on continuing inflation, as recorded in the Consumer Price Index from the third quarter of 2025 through the third quarter of 2026.
On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $75 a month, the agency said.
Tax rates to fund the program will stay virtually unchanged, at 6.2 percent of income up to a certain amount. The cap will increase slightly to $192,300 in 2027 from $184,500 this year.
Social Security is facing a shortfall, with payments to recipients outpacing tax collections.
Without congressional action, that will mean benefits will automatically begin to decrease in 2032.
Candidates in key U.S. Senate races this year, whose six-year terms would mean they’ll be in office when the benefits cliff arrives, have stayed relatively quiet on the issue.
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Acadian04
It would be helpful if the press would hold US Senate candidates' feet to the fire on this issue during the campaign. I guess the issue isn't sexy enough...yet.
Thursday, October 15 Report this
lyhamacek
Social Security increase each year is appreciated, but since the Part B Medicare also increased each year, the net result was almost a 0 increase in actual income. I pretty much expect most of next year's increase to be eaten up by higher Part B premiums.
Thursday, October 15 Report this
Shushu
I agree. For 2 years now the COLA increase does nothing but cover Medicare part B increases. This year it increased by $140 so I will have to change to a plan with less coverage and loose all the providers I know and trust. Not to mention, decide which medications to stop taking. It certainly does not help with gasoline and food prices.
Friday, October 16 Report this
CobraCommander
SouthSoundGuy and VirtualOne will say this is socialism, no doubt
Friday, October 16 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Congratulations on the well-deserved raise to those on Social Security. They actually deserve more than the 3.6% due to the actual street costs people are experiencing which are much higher. What needs to change is 1) the formula for determining these COLA’s, and 2) the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax. The cap should be raised considerably from the current $184,500 to something like $1,000,000 to help balance the funds depletion. The formula for calculating these COLA’s is skewed to minimize these increases rather than reflect true inflation.
Friday, October 16 Report this
CobraCommander
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5821106-social-security-data-theft/
https://cepr.net/publications/social-security-zombies/
Saturday, October 17 Report this