Social Security to increase 3.6% in 2027

BALTIMORE - The Social Security Administration announced Oct. 14 there will be a 3.6% benefit increase for 2027.

Social Security benefits include Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by $75 per month.

Nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment beginning in January 2027. Increased payments to about 7.3 million people receiving SSI will begin on Dec. 31, 2026. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).

"Social Security will implement this cost-of-living adjustment for 76 million Americans, giving them greater financial stability," said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano.

Individuals with personal my Social Security accounts can view their adjustment increase notice online starting in late November and up to three weeks earlier than receiving a paper notice in the mail. Account holders can also choose to receive text or email alerts when a new message, including their adjustment notice, is available in their personal my Social Security account's Message Center.

Individuals who do not have a personal account will need to create one and enroll in paperless notices by Nov. 18 to see their adjustment notice online. Create an account today at ssa.gov/myaccount.

Individuals who have not enrolled in paperless notices in my Social Security will receive their adjustment notice by mail in December.

Social Security beneficiaries will receive a simplified, one-page adjustment notice, which uses plain and personalized language, and provides exact dates and dollar amounts of an individual's new benefit amount and any deductions.

Information about Medicare changes for 2027 will be available at medicare.gov. For Medicare enrollees, the 2027 premium amount will be available via my Social Security Message Center starting in late November. Individuals who have not opted to receive messages online will receive their adjustment notice by mail in December.

The Social Security Act provides for how the adjustment is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual adjustment to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For additional information, visit ssa.gov/cola.

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