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2027 Social Security COLA Set for Oct. 14 Announcement

8/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Social Security officials will likely announce a 2027 COLA of about 3.5%-3.6% on Oct. 14.
The COLA is calculated by comparing third-quarter CPI-W for July-September 2026 with the same period in 2025, using CPI data released before Oct. 14.
The Senior Citizens League expects a 3.6% COLA and AARP a 3.5% COLA after July CPI-W rose 3.4%, which would lift average monthly benefits from $2,071 to about $2,146, adding $73-$75.

History

Historical Context

Automatic cost-of-living adjustments began with the 1975 amendment that tied Social Security benefits to the CPI-W, and the 1983 reforms championed by President Ronald Reagan—following the Greenspan Commission—added benefit taxation and raised the retirement age. Congress set a 3.6% COLA for 1984, a precedent for today’s projected 3.5-3.6% increase for 2027.

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Story summary

Social Security officials will likely announce a 2027 COLA of about 3.5%-3.6% on Oct. 14.
The COLA is calculated by comparing third-quarter CPI-W for July-September 2026 with the same period in 2025, using CPI data released before Oct. 14.
The Senior Citizens League expects a 3.6% COLA and AARP a 3.5% COLA after July CPI-W rose 3.4%, which would lift average monthly benefits from $2,071 to about $2,146, adding $73-$75.

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