The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is expected to be smaller in 2027, with one estimate coming in at 1.3%, as older adults struggle with affordability of food and housing.
The COLA for 2027 could be 1.3%, according to independent Social Security and Medicare analyst Mary Johnson. The Senior Citizens League, an advocacy group for older adults, expects COLA to be 2.5%.
Both estimates for 2027 are below this year’s COLA of 2.8%. If COLA fell to 1.3%, it would mark the lowest COLA since 2021, Johnson said. Social Security’s COLA has averaged 2.6% across more than 20 years, according to the Senior Citizens League.
