2027 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027. This increase will provide additional financial support for millions of Americans, especially those who rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to make ends meet.
For individuals living with disabilities, even a modest increase in monthly benefits can make a meaningful difference. For people who rely on Social Security benefits, the annual COLA adjustment helps ease the strain of rising costs for everyday needs, like groceries, housing, and utilities.
2027 COLA 3.6%
COLA Announcement - Key Takeaways
| Benefit or Threshold | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment Annual percentage increase for Social Security and SSI | 2.8% | 3.6% |
| SSI Payment: Individual Maximum federal monthly payment | $994 | $1,029 |
| SSI Payment: Eligible Couple Maximum federal monthly payment | $1,491 | $1,544 |
| Substantial Gainful Activity: Non-Blind Monthly earnings threshold—not a benefit payment | $1,690 | $1,770 |
| Substantial Gainful Activity: Blind Monthly earnings threshold—not a benefit payment | $2,830 | $2,950 |
| Trial Work Period Monthly earnings threshold used to evaluate trial work months | $1,210 | $1,270 |
| Understanding these amounts: SSI figures represent maximum federal monthly payments; your actual payment may differ. Substantial Gainful Activity and Trial Work Period figures relate to work activity, not monthly benefit payments. These work thresholds are updated separately from the COLA. Source: Social Security Administration, 2026 and 2027 COLA fact sheets. | ||
How Will the 2027 COLA Affect My Monthly Benefits?
Beginning in January 2027, nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 3.6% increase in their monthly payments. This includes individuals receiving retirement, survivor, and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
For disabled workers, the average monthly SSDI benefit is expected to increase from approximately $1,642 to $1,701. That's an additional $59 per month, or approximately $708 over a full year.
For Supplemental Security Income recipients, the maximum federal monthly payment for an eligible individual will increase from $994 in 2026 to $1,029 in 2027. Eligible couples receiving SSI will see the maximum federal payment increase from $1,491 to $1,544 per month.
These amounts represent federal maximums or average benefits, not guaranteed payments for every recipient. Your actual benefit increase will depend on your current payment amount, income, living arrangements, and other applicable eligibility rules.
SSI recipients will begin receiving increased payments on December 31, 2026, because January 1 falls on a federal holiday. Beneficiaries will receive information from the SSA explaining their updated benefit amounts.
How Do I Find Out My Updated Benefit Amount?
The SSA provides personalized COLA notices that explain how much beneficiaries can expect to receive next year.
If you have a personal My Social Security account and have opted into paperless notices, you can generally access your COLA notice online through the Message Center in late November 2026. The SSA advises beneficiaries to create an account and select paperless notices by November 18, 2026, to access their notices online.
You can also receive your notice by mail during December. To check your updated benefit amount:
- Visit the official Social Security website at ssa.gov.
- Sign in to your personal my Social Security account or create an account if you do not already have one.
- Open your COLA notice in the Message Center when it becomes available.
- Review your new monthly benefit amount and any applicable deductions.
Your personal notice is the best source for determining exactly how much your benefits will increase in 2027.
How Will Medicare Be Affected?
If you receive both Social Security benefits and Medicare, changes in Medicare premiums may affect the amount deposited into your bank account each month.
The 3.6% COLA increases your gross Social Security benefit, but Medicare Part B premiums and other deductions can reduce the net amount you receive. As a result, your monthly deposit may not increase by the full COLA amount.
Medicare.gov provides information about 2027 Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coverage changes. Review your Social Security benefit notice and Medicare information to understand how these changes may affect your monthly budget.
More About SSDI Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Congress introduced automatic Social Security cost-of-living adjustments in the 1970s to help benefits keep pace with inflation without requiring a separate annual increase. Since then, annual COLAs have helped protect the purchasing power of millions of Americans who depend on Social Security retirement, survivor, disability, and SSI benefits.
Each adjustment varies with inflation. For example, beneficiaries received an 8.7% increase in 2023, followed by smaller adjustments of 3.2% in 2024, 2.5% in 2025, and 2.8% in 2026. The 3.6% increase in 2027 reflects renewed inflationary pressure.
COLA Increase by Year (%)
The following figures illustrate how Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustments have changed over time.
Supporting the Triad Community Every Step of the Way
At Daggett Shuler, we understand how important Social Security Disability and SSI benefits are to individuals and families throughout the Triad. Navigating the Social Security system can be confusing and stressful, especially when you're already dealing with health challenges and financial uncertainty.
Our dedicated disability attorneys help individuals understand the disability benefits application process, their options after a denial, and the steps involved in appealing a decision.
Whether you're preparing an initial SSDI or SSI application or appealing a denied claim, you don't have to navigate the process alone.
Contact Daggett Shuler today by submitting an online form or calling our office at (336) 724-1234 for a free case evaluation.