2027 Social Security COLA Notice: When Will You Get It?
Social Security beneficiaries across the United States will soon receive their personalized 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices. These notices explain how much a person’s monthly Social Security payment will change in the new year.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 3.6% COLA for 2027. The increase applies to retirement, survivor and disability benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
When Will the 2027 Social Security COLA Notice Arrive?
The SSA distributes personalized notices before the new benefit year. These explain the upcoming increase and applicable deductions.
| Event | Official timing | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 COLA announced | October 14, 2026 | SSA confirms the 3.6% increase |
| Online enrollment cutoff | November 18, 2026 | Deadline to create an account and enroll in paperless notices for early online access |
| Online COLA notices | Late November 2026 | Most eligible account holders can access notices |
| Paper notices | December 2026 | Notices mailed to recipients not enrolled in paperless delivery |
| Increased SSI payments | December 31, 2026 | January SSI benefit paid early due to the holiday |
| Increased Social Security benefits | January 2027 | New monthly retirement, survivor and disability amounts begin |
The SSA does not guarantee that every beneficiary will receive a mailed notice on the same date. Mail delivery varies by location.
How to Check Your 2027 COLA Notice Online
The fastest way to view your notice is through your personal my Social Security account. You do not need to visit a Social Security office simply to read an available notice.
- Visit ssa.gov/myaccount .
- Sign in using the supported secure login method.
- Open your account’s Message Center.
- Look for the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment notice.
- Open the notice and review your updated benefit amount.
- Save a copy for your records if the option is available.
For early online access, the SSA says people who do not already have an account must create one and enroll in paperless notices by November 18, 2026.
What Information Is Included in the Notice?
The SSA says beneficiaries will receive a simplified, personalized one-page notice. It explains their updated benefit amount, the effective date and applicable deductions.
Your notice may help you identify:
- Your updated gross monthly Social Security benefit.
- Applicable Medicare premium deductions.
- Other deductions or adjustments, where relevant.
- Your expected monthly payment after deductions.
- When the new amount takes effect.
Keep in mind that a COLA notice is different from an annual Social Security Statement, which provides earnings and retirement estimates.
How Much Is the 2027 Social Security Increase?
The 2027 COLA is 3.6%. That means the gross benefit increases by approximately $36 for each $1,000 of monthly benefits before rounding and other individual adjustments.
The SSA estimates the average retired worker’s monthly benefit will increase from $2,094 to $2,170, a rise of $76.
| Benefit type | Before COLA | Estimated 2027 amount | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired worker | $2,094 | $2,170 | $76 |
| Spouse of retired worker | $989 | $1,024 | $35 |
| Aged widow or widower | $1,938 | $2,007 | $69 |
| Disabled worker | $1,642 | $1,701 | $59 |
| Retired worker and aged spouse family | $3,237 | $3,354 | $117 |
Source: SSA’s official estimated effect of the 2027 COLA. These are population averages, not guaranteed individual amounts.
2027 Social Security COLA Calculator
Use this simple calculator to estimate how the 3.6% increase might affect your current gross monthly benefit.
This tool estimates the gross 3.6% increase only. It does not calculate Medicare premiums, tax withholding, SSA rounding or other deductions.
Example: $2,000 Monthly Benefit
Consider a retiree whose current gross monthly Social Security benefit is $2,000.
| Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Current gross benefit | $2,000.00 |
| 3.6% increase | $72.00 |
| Estimated new gross benefit | $2,072.00 |
| Annualized gross increase | $864.00 |
The actual net bank deposit may differ because of Medicare premiums, tax withholding, benefit adjustments or other deductions.
Why Your Bank Deposit May Increase by Less Than 3.6%
A 3.6% COLA applies to the Social Security benefit calculation. It does not guarantee that your deposited amount increases by exactly 3.6%.
For many beneficiaries, Medicare Part B premiums are deducted directly from monthly Social Security payments. Changes in those premiums can affect the net amount deposited.
Example: Gross Increase Versus Net Deposit
Suppose a beneficiary’s gross benefit rises from $2,000 to $2,072. If their combined monthly deductions also increase by $25, the net payment would rise by approximately $47, rather than the full $72.
This is a hypothetical example, not a statement of the 2027 Medicare premium increase.
Will Medicare Part B Premiums Affect the 2027 COLA?
They can. Many people have their Medicare Part B premium withheld from Social Security benefits.
The 2027 Medicare premium and deduction details are expected to be reflected in personalized notices when available.
Some higher-income beneficiaries also pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA, which can affect Medicare Part B and Part D costs.
For current official Medicare information, visit Medicare.gov .
When Will the First Higher Social Security Payment Arrive?
The 2027 COLA begins with December 2026 Social Security benefits, which are generally paid in January 2027.
For most retirement, survivor and disability beneficiaries, the payment date depends on their birth date.
| Beneficiary group | Usual payment timing |
|---|---|
| Birth date 1st–10th | Second Wednesday |
| Birth date 11th–20th | Third Wednesday |
| Birth date 21st–31st | Fourth Wednesday |
| Benefits received before May 1997 or certain combined-benefit situations | Special payment schedule; often the 3rd of the month |
| SSI recipients | January 2027 payment scheduled for December 31, 2026 |
Individual schedules and federal holidays can affect payment timing. Check the official SSA payment calendar for the exact date applicable to your benefits.
What If Your COLA Notice Has Not Arrived?
Not receiving a notice at the same time as someone else does not automatically mean your benefit increase was denied.
The SSA mails notices during December and recommends waiting until January before contacting the agency about a missing mailed notice.
- Check your my Social Security Message Center.
- Confirm your current mailing address.
- Review your paperless-notice preferences.
- Allow December mail delivery to finish.
- Contact SSA if your notice remains missing or contains an error.
SSA’s national phone number is 1-800-772-1213. You can also use SSA’s official contact page .
What If the 2027 COLA Notice Shows the Wrong Amount?
First, distinguish between your gross benefit and your net payment. A notice may show deductions that make the deposit lower than expected.
If you believe the underlying benefit calculation is incorrect, compare the notice with your prior benefit information and contact SSA for clarification.
Possible reasons for differences include a change in Medicare deductions, earnings-related adjustments, overpayment recovery or other individual circumstances.
Do not send copies of your Social Security number, bank statements or benefit notices to an unofficial website for review.
Does the 2027 COLA Apply to SSDI and SSI?
Yes. The 3.6% COLA also applies to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and federal Supplemental Security Income payment levels.
The payment timing differs: Social Security benefits generally reflect the increase in January 2027, while the increased SSI payment for January is scheduled for December 31, 2026.
SSI eligibility and payment amounts can depend on income, resources, living arrangements and other factors. Therefore, individual SSI payments may not equal the maximum federal rate.
How Is the 2027 COLA Calculated?
The Social Security Act uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to determine annual COLAs.
For 2027, the SSA compared the average CPI-W for the third quarter of 2026 with the third-quarter average for 2025.
| Measurement | CPI-W average |
|---|---|
| Third quarter 2025 | 317.265 |
| Third quarter 2026 | 328.746 |
| Resulting COLA | 3.6% |
The percentage change is rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent under the statutory formula.
Do You Need to Apply for the 2027 COLA?
No. Eligible Social Security and SSI recipients receive the cost-of-living adjustment automatically.
There is no separate application form or processing fee to receive the annual COLA.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I see my 2027 Social Security COLA notice?
Most eligible my Social Security account holders can access their notices beginning in late November 2026. Others will receive mailed notices during December.
What is the 2027 Social Security COLA percentage?
The official 2027 COLA is 3.6%. The increase applies to eligible Social Security and SSI benefits.
Will everyone receive an extra $76 per month?
No. The $76 figure is an SSA estimate for the average retired worker. Individual increases depend on the existing benefit amount.
Why does my notice show a smaller net increase?
Medicare premiums and other deductions can affect the amount deposited into your bank account.
Will my notice arrive by email?
SSA may send an email or text alert that a notice is available. View the actual notice securely through your my Social Security account.
What if I do not have a my Social Security account?
Recipients who have not enrolled in paperless notices generally receive their COLA notice by mail during December.
Is the 2027 COLA a separate bonus payment?
No. The COLA increases eligible monthly benefits. It is not a separate stimulus check or bonus.
Can I receive the COLA if I recently started benefits?
The adjustment generally applies to eligible benefits according to Social Security’s rules. Your personalized SSA notice will show the applicable amount.
Official Sources
TL;DR: 2027 Social Security COLA Notice
- The confirmed 2027 COLA is 3.6%.
- Online notices begin appearing in late November 2026.
- Paper notices are mailed in December 2026.
- New Social Security amounts begin with January 2027 payments.
- Increased January SSI payments arrive December 31, 2026.
- Medicare deductions can change the net amount deposited.
- No application or fee is required to receive the COLA.
Published by: BillUnpacked Editorial Team. Information reviewed: November 9, 2026. Based on official Social Security Administration publications. BillUnpacked is an independent educational website and is not affiliated with the SSA. This article does not provide individualized retirement, tax or legal advice.