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For some people, the end of summer means back-to-school shopping and pumpkin spice everything. For seniors on Social Security, it means something else entirely: waiting to find out how much bigger their monthly checks will get next year. So when will that announcement actually happen, and how much of an increase can beneficiaries expect? Here’s everything we know so far.
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What we know about the 2027 COLA
In 1975, the SSA created the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to help them keep up with inflation. Over the years, the increase has varied from zero (in 2010, 2011 and 2016) to 14.3 percent in 1980. In 2026, the COLA was 2.8 percent, which added about $56 to Americans’ monthly checks. In 2027, however, that amount could be higher, since the cost of living is expected to be high, due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, ever-increasing inflation rates and the war in Iran, which is causing energy goods like gas to rise in cost at an aggressive rate.
Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare analyst, told CNBC she estimates the 2027 COLA might be around 3.7 percent. The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior group, has a similar projection, revealing just a few weeks ago that they think the 2027 COLA will be 3.8 percent. They also shared that if their estimated increase is correct, seniors’ benefits could rise an average of $73.62 a month. Even with that increase, experts are concerned it won’t be enough for seniors.
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“We’re seeing inflation on the rise when more than half of seniors already can’t afford basic living standards,” Senior Citizens League executive director Shannon Benton told Fox Business. “We’re talking about food, a roof over their head and transportation. Many seniors already have to skip doctor’s appointments due to costs, which costs all of us more in the long run when we swap preventative care for emergency care.”
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When will the 2027 COLA be announced?
Every year the COLA is announced by the SSA Commissioner (a position currently held by Frank J. Bisignano) in October. The 2026 COLA was announced on October 24, 2025, after being delayed from October 15, due to a federal government shutdown.
“Social Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we are working to make sure benefits reflect today’s economic realities and continue to provide a foundation of security,” Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said in a statement at the time. “The cost-of-living adjustment is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.”
As for when to expect the 2027 COLA announcement, the Senior Citizens League has a countdown showing it could happen in 78 days—which would be Wednesday, October 15, 2026. However, this is just an estimate since the SSA hasn’t confirmed the official date yet.
Frank Bisignano in April 2026
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Experts are urging the SSA to announce the increase sooner rather than later to give seniors time to prepare and plan their budgets accordingly.
“Family budgets have been under increasing pressure because of rising prices,” Rich Johnson, vice president for financial security at the AARP Public Policy Institute said in a statement. “The sooner that we can give them reliable information as to how much their benefits might [increase next year], the sooner they can start planning.”
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