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When will it be announced and how much could benefits increase?
NewsNation • • business
Key Points:
- The Social Security Administration is set to announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on October 14, following the release of September's Consumer Price Index data.
- The COLA is calculated based on the average Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from July, August, and September compared to the previous year.
- Current estimates from groups like the Senior Citizens League and AARP predict a 3.5% to 3.6% COLA for 2027, up from 2.8% in 2026, though the final figure depends on September's inflation data.
- The 2027 COLA increase will generally apply to benefits paid in January 2027, with some recipients, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries, receiving the increase in December 2026 due to payment schedules.
- Recent COLA percentages have fluctuated with inflation, showing 2.5% in 2025, 2.8% in 2026, and the projected 3.5% for 2027.
