Social Security COLA 2027 Is 3.6%: When the Raise Arrives and What to Check

If you or a parent receive Social Security or SSI, payments go up in 2027. On October 14, 2026, the Social Security Administration announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the largest since 2023. The raise doesn't arrive straight away, though, and the Medicare Part B premium takes a bite out of it for many people. Here's the timeline and what's worth checking.

The headline numbers

• COLA for 2027: 3.6%, announced October 14, 2026.
• Average retirement benefit: according to SSA's fact sheet, it rises from about $2,095 to $2,170 a month, roughly $75 more.
• Last year's COLA, for comparison: 2.8% for 2026.

The COLA is based on inflation (the CPI-W) for July, August and September. It applies to Social Security retirement, survivor and disability benefits, and to Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

When the higher payments start

The increase applies to benefits for January 2027 onwards. How that lines up with your payment date:

• SSI: the first higher payment arrives on Thursday, December 31, 2026. January 1 is a federal holiday, so January's SSI is paid a day early. That means two SSI payments land in December and none in January; it isn't an extra payment.
• Social Security paid on the 3rd (people who started benefits before May 1997, or who also get SSI): January 3, 2027 is a Sunday and January 1 is a holiday, so expect it on December 31, 2026.
• Social Security paid on Wednesdays (by birth date): January 13 (born 1st–10th), January 20 (born 11th–20th) and January 27, 2027 (born 21st–31st).

Payment dates are set by SSA's calendar, so check the official schedule if your situation is unusual.

Your COLA notice

SSA sends each person a notice with their exact new amount. If you have a my Social Security account, you can see it online in the Message Center, usually from early December. Paper notices arrive by post in December.

It's worth reading. The notice shows your new gross benefit and what's deducted, which is where the Medicare premium comes in.

The Medicare Part B premium

For most people on Medicare, the Part B premium comes straight out of the Social Security payment. The official 2027 premium usually isn't announced until autumn. The Medicare Trustees projected it would rise from $202.90 to about $209.50 a month, which would take roughly $6.60 off the raise. Treat that as a projection until CMS confirms it.

Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. If you're comparing Part D or Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, the premium changes are part of the picture.

What to check, and when

1. By December 7: finish any Medicare plan changes for 2027.
2. Early December: look for your COLA notice in my Social Security, or by post.
3. December 31: SSI (and payments due on the 3rd) arrive.
4. Your January payment date: check the deposit matches your notice.
5. If you have a budget or automatic payments linked to the old amount, update them once you know the new figure.

Common questions

What is the Social Security COLA for 2027? 3.6%, announced by the Social Security Administration on October 14, 2026.

When will I see the 2027 COLA in my check? SSI recipients on December 31, 2026. Most Social Security beneficiaries see it in their January 2027 payment, on January 13, 20 or 27 depending on birth date, or December 31 if paid on the 3rd.

Why did I get two SSI payments in December? January 1, 2027 is a holiday, so January's payment is made on December 31. You won't get one in January.

How much will my benefit go up? About 3.6% of your current benefit before deductions. The average retirement benefit rises by about $75 a month. Your notice shows your exact amount.

Will the Medicare premium go up too? It's projected to, to about $209.50 a month, but the official 2027 figure hadn't been confirmed when this was written.

How ReminderIt helps

Dates like the Medicare deadline and the first new payment are easy to miss, especially if you're keeping track for an older parent. ReminderIt rings your phone at the time you choose, with a natural voice reading the reminder, and sends a WhatsApp message with Done and Snooze. If you miss the call, it tries once more about 5 minutes later.

Set it up by messaging on WhatsApp in plain words, for example "Remind me on December 5 at 10am to check my 2027 Social Security notice". You can also add a parent so their reminders ring their own phone. There's no app to install, and there's a 7-day free trial with no card. After that it's $7 a month.

Message ReminderIt on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/14786061901 and set your COLA and Medicare reminders now.