Average Social Security benefit in the US expected to rise by US$79 per month in 2027
Social Security beneficiaries in the United States are waiting until October to find out the exact amount of their benefit adjustment for next year. The information, crucial for financial planning, appeared on August 1, 2026.
However, recent projections already offer a clear idea about the likely change in payments, allowing policyholders to prepare for the upcoming changes.
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The non-partisan organization The Senior Citizens League projects a Social Security COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) adjustment of 3.8% for 2027. If confirmed, this will be the largest increase since 2022, the year in which the adjustment was 8.7% amid post-COVID inflation. In the following years, COLA registered 3.2% in 2023, 2.5% in 2024 and 2.8% in 2025.
In June, the average Social Security benefit reached US$2,084 per month. With the 3.8% increase, the average retirement value would increase by US$79, reaching US$2,163. For those who receive the maximum amount, currently US$5,181 per month, the increase of US$197 would bring the total to US$5,378.
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The calculation of the annual COLA is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) during the third quarter of the year, which comprises the months of July, August and September. Although Social Security increase projections are released monthly, data from these three months are decisive for the calculation.
The official announcement about the Social Security adjustment for next year will take place after the Department of Labor releases inflation data for September. This announcement is expected to take place on October 14, at 8:30 am ET. The Social Security Administration will then confirm the increase for 2027, with the new amounts being applied to the first payments of the new year or the December 31 payment for SSI beneficiaries.
