my Social Security Message Center: Starting in late November, Medicare enrollees can open the my Social Security Message Center and see their exact 2027 Social Security amount, including what Medicare will take out of the check, weeks before a paper letter reaches the mailbox. The Social Security Administration set out the timing on October 14, 2026, alongside its 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment, and says the online notice can appear up to three weeks ahead of the mailed copy. There is one deadline to know about. People without an online account must create one and choose paperless notices by November 18 to see the notice online. Everyone else will wait for a paper notice in December. The average retired worker will get about $75 more per month, but your own figure depends on your benefit and your Medicare premium, so the my Social Security Message Center is worth checking early. We’ll be updating this article monthly.
The timing matters because the number most people want is not the 3.6 percent headline. It is the amount that actually lands in the bank after Medicare is deducted. As of November 8, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had not yet published the official 2027 Part B premium, which it usually announces in mid-November. The Medicare Trustees projected $209.50 a month, up from $202.90, but that is an estimate. The Message Center notice will be many people’s first look at the confirmed figure. Medicare open enrollment also runs through December 7, so seeing the amount early leaves time to compare plans. This guide covers the dates, the steps to open the Message Center, the Medicare numbers that are still unconfirmed, and a calculator that shows what you may keep. It also explains what to do if the notice does not show up when you expect it.

my Social Security Message Center 2027 Notice Key Dates and Highlights
| Item | Latest Detail |
|---|---|
| COLA for 2027 | 3.6 percent, announced October 14, 2026 |
| Average retirement increase | About $75 per month |
| When the notice appears online | Late November 2026, up to three weeks before the paper notice |
| Deadline to create an account and go paperless | November 18, 2026 |
| Paper notices | Mailed in December 2026 |
| Medicare enrollees | 2027 benefit amount shows in the Message Center from late November |
| SSI increase begins | December 31, 2026, for about 7.3 million people |
| First higher Social Security payments | January 2027 |
| Medicare open enrollment ends | December 7, 2026 |
| 2027 Part B premium | Not yet announced by CMS as of November 8, 2026 |
When Will the 2027 Social Security Amount Show Up in the my Social Security Message Center?
SSA says paperless account holders can view and save their cost-of-living notice in the Message Center starting in late November. The agency has not named an exact day, and past years show the notice can post in stages, so there is no reason to panic if yours is missing on the first morning. The paper version follows in early December for people who did not choose online delivery.
For Medicare enrollees, SSA’s page makes a separate point. People enrolled in Medicare can see their 2027 benefit amount in the Message Center starting in late November. The press release adds that those who have not opted into online messages will receive their Medicare premium information by mail in December. In other words, the early view is not reserved for a special group. It is a reward for being set up online before the deadline.
One more detail from the release is worth noticing. SSA gives two headcounts for the raise. The text says nearly 72 million people will receive the increase starting in January 2027, while a quote from Commissioner Frank Bisignano refers to 76 million Americans. The two figures likely count different groups, since Social Security and SSI recipients overlap and some people get both. SSA does not explain the difference, so treat the numbers as separate statements rather than one total.
What Medicare Enrollees Will See in the Message Center
The notice SSA describes is a short, plain-language letter. It shows your updated benefit amount, the date the new amount starts, and any deductions that come out of your check. For people with Medicare, the main deduction is the Part B premium. Your notice may also reflect other withholding you have set up, such as Medicare Part D premiums or income-related surcharges, if they come out of your benefit.
SSA’s published guidance does not list every line the 2027 notice will contain, so the safest approach is to read the whole page rather than only the headline number. Look for three things in particular:
- Your gross monthly benefit for 2027, before any deductions.
- The Medicare premium amount being withheld.
- Your net deposit, the amount that actually reaches your bank account.
If you were hit with an income-related monthly adjustment amount, known as IRMAA, SSA has in the past delivered that notice online as well. The 2027 IRMAA income brackets had not been released at the time of writing, so any figures you see online before CMS publishes them should be treated with caution.
How to Apply for Online Notices and Open the my Social Security Message Center?
You do not apply for the COLA itself. Increases are applied automatically. What you can do is set yourself up to see the notice early. Follow these steps.
- Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in, or choose to create a new account. SSA says creating an account takes less than ten minutes.
- Verify your identity using the sign-in method the site offers.
- Open the Preferences tab.
- Under Communication Preference, choose the option that stops a paper copy, then read and agree to the authorization notice.
- Under Notification Preference, choose a text alert, an email alert, or both, then save. This way you hear about a new notice without checking daily.
- Do all of this by November 18, 2026 to be in line for the late November online notice.
Once the notice is posted, sign in, open the Message Center inbox, and select the link to the notice. It opens as a PDF you can print or save. Save a copy for your records, since it is useful when you plan a budget or fill out financial aid and housing forms.
SSA notes that your choice can be changed any time through the same Preferences link. People who have a representative payee generally cannot opt out of paper notices, and customers who need a special format, such as blind or low vision readers, can request that option.
Missed the November 18 Deadline? What Happens Next
If you miss the cutoff, the paper notice will still come. SSA says people who have not enrolled in paperless notices will get the COLA notice by mail in December. What SSA’s page does not say is whether a late enrollee can still see an online copy once the notice has been posted. Because the agency ties the late November online posting to enrolling by November 18, assume that a late sign-up may not get the early view, and plan to wait for the paper notice.
You can still create an account after the deadline. It is worth doing anyway, because the account lets you check your earnings record, see your benefit estimates, and read future notices, including any about Medicare surcharges.
2027 Medicare Part B Premium: What Is Official and What Is Still a Projection
This is where readers should be careful. Several websites have published 2027 Medicare numbers with a confident tone. One financial firm’s blog, for example, listed a 2027 Part B premium that is actually the 2026 figure of $202.90. That post cited no CMS document, so it should not be used.
As far as official sources show, here is where things stand as of November 8, 2026:
| Medicare Item | 2026 | 2027 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part B standard monthly premium | $202.90 | About $209.50 | Trustees projection, not yet confirmed by CMS |
| Part B annual deductible | $283 | About $292 | Trustees projection |
| Part A inpatient deductible | $1,736 | About $1,788 | Trustees projection |
| Part D standard deductible | $615 | $700 | Reported as set by CMS in April 2026 |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 | Reported as set by CMS in April 2026 |
| Part D base beneficiary premium | $38.99 | $41.33 | Reported as set by CMS in July 2026 |
The Part D figures come from a benefits information site that cites CMS announcements, so verify them at cms.gov before relying on them for a decision. The Part B and Part A numbers come from the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report, published in June, and one outside analysis expects Part B premiums to keep rising by roughly 6 percent a year through 2031. CMS is expected to confirm the 2027 numbers and the IRMAA brackets in mid-November. Last year’s announcement came on November 14, according to a secondary source, but the date can shift.
Hold Harmless Rule: Can Medicare Eat Your Entire COLA?
For most people whose Part B premium is deducted from Social Security, a federal rule called hold harmless prevents the premium increase from being larger than the dollar increase in the benefit. With a 3.6 percent raise, it is unlikely to matter this year for most retirees, since the projected $6.60 premium increase is far smaller than the average $75 gain.
The rule does not cover everyone. New Medicare enrollees, people who pay the premium by bill rather than through their benefit, and higher-income beneficiaries paying IRMAA surcharges are not protected in the same way. If you fall into one of these groups, your net gain could be smaller than the headline suggests.
How Much of the 3.6 Percent Raise Will You Actually Keep?
Take the recent estimate of the average monthly retirement benefit, about $2,086 as of July 2026. A 3.6 percent raise adds roughly $75.10. If the projected Part B increase of $6.60 holds, the net gain is about $68.50 a month, or around $822 over a year. If CMS confirms a different premium, that number moves with it.
A second example shows how benefit size changes the picture. Someone with a $1,200 monthly benefit gets a $43.20 raise. If their Part B premium rises by the same $6.60, they keep $36.60. In percentage terms, the Medicare increase takes a bigger bite out of a smaller check, which is why people with modest benefits should look closely at their net deposit rather than the gross figure.
Use the 2027 Net COLA After Medicare Calculator
The calculator on this page is built for the question this article raises. Enter your current monthly benefit before deductions, the COLA, and your Part B premium now and next year. It shows your new gross benefit, your estimated deposits before and after the raise, and your net gain. It also includes a hold harmless toggle. The default 2027 premium is the Trustees projection of $209.50, not a confirmed amount, so change it once CMS announces the official figure. Treat the result as a planning estimate. Your SSA notice is the final word.
2027 Net COLA After Medicare Calculator
See how much of the 3.6 percent raise you may keep after the Medicare Part B premium.
The default is the Medicare Trustees projection, not a confirmed amount. Update it when CMS announces the official 2027 premium. Enter 0 in both premium fields if Part B is not deducted from your benefit.
Estimate only. Hold harmless does not protect everyone, including new enrollees, people who pay the premium by bill, and higher-income beneficiaries paying IRMAA. Your Social Security notice states your exact 2027 amount. Sign in at ssa.gov/myaccount.
How Long Does It Take? Processing Time for the COLA Notice and New Payment
There is nothing to process on your end. The raise is automatic, and SSA does not require an application. The only timing questions are when you will see the notice and when the new amount is paid.
| Step | Timing |
|---|---|
| Create account and choose paperless notices | Under ten minutes, by November 18 |
| Online notice appears in the Message Center | Late November 2026 |
| Paper notice arrives | December 2026 |
| SSI increase | Payments starting December 31, 2026 |
| Social Security increase | Payments in January 2027 |
SSA has not published a day-by-day schedule for the notice, so any promise of a specific morning would be a guess. If you do not see your notice by early December, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., or visit a local office.
Social Security Payment Schedule for January 2027
Retirement, disability and survivor payments follow a calendar tied to your birth date or the month you started benefits. These dates are calculated from the January 2027 calendar, so confirm them on SSA’s official payment schedule before you plan bills around them.
| Payment Group | Expected January 2027 Pay Date |
|---|---|
| SSI recipients | December 31, 2026, because January 1 is a holiday |
| Birthdays on the 1st to 10th | Wednesday, January 13 |
| Birthdays on the 11th to 20th | Wednesday, January 20 |
| Birthdays on the 21st to 31st | Wednesday, January 27 |
| Paid on the 3rd (benefits before May 1997, or SSI with Social Security) | January 3 is a Sunday, so the weekend rule applies and the payment moves earlier |
For the group paid on the 3rd, SSA’s calendar will show the exact day. Because the early date could fall near the year end, check the schedule rather than assuming.
What the Medicare Open Enrollment Deadline Means for Your Timing
Medicare open enrollment runs through December 7, 2026. The Message Center notice will arrive before that deadline, which gives you a small window to compare drug and Medicare Advantage plans with a clearer idea of your take-home pay. If your net gain looks smaller than expected, plan costs are one of the few things you can still change.
The Part D changes also matter. A higher out-of-pocket cap of $2,400 and a $700 standard deductible mean drug costs can shift even if your premium does not. Check your plan’s annual notice of change, and use the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov to compare.
Scam Warning: Fake COLA Messages Are Common in November
Whenever Social Security makes news, scammers follow. SSA will not send a text or email with a link that asks you to confirm your number to receive your COLA. The agency’s alerts only tell you a new message is waiting, and you must sign in on ssa.gov yourself to read it. Never click a link in an unexpected message, and never share your Social Security number, banking details or one-time codes with someone who contacts you first. Report suspected fraud to the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
Official Links for the my Social Security Message Center and Medicare
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Sign in or create a my Social Security account | https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount |
| Opt out of paper notices and set alerts | https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/opt-out.html |
| SSA 2027 COLA announcement | https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2026-10-14.html |
| SSA guidance on viewing the COLA notice | https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/mip/2026-10-01-f.html |
| COLA information page | https://www.ssa.gov/cola |
| Find a local Social Security office | https://www.ssa.gov/locator |
| Medicare costs, plans and open enrollment | https://www.medicare.gov |
| CMS newsroom for premium announcements | https://www.cms.gov/newsroom |
| Report Social Security fraud | https://oig.ssa.gov |
FAQs About the my Social Security Message Center and the 2027 Amount
When can I see my 2027 Social Security amount in the my Social Security Message Center?
SSA says the notice will be available online starting in late November 2026, up to three weeks before paper notices are mailed in December.
Do I need to do anything to get the 3.6 percent COLA?
No. The increase is applied automatically. You only need an account and paperless notices if you want to see the notice online.
What is the deadline to see the COLA notice online?
SSA says you must create an account and enroll in paperless notices by November 18, 2026.
Will Medicare enrollees see their premium in the Message Center?
SSA says Medicare enrollees can see their 2027 benefit amount in the Message Center starting in late November. Those who have not opted into online messages will get their Medicare premium information by mail in December.
What is the 2027 Medicare Part B premium?
CMS had not announced it as of November 8, 2026. The Trustees projected about $209.50 a month, up from $202.90, but that is an estimate until CMS confirms.
How much will the average retiree gain?
About $75 a month before Medicare. If the projected premium increase holds, the average net gain is roughly $68.
What if I do not have an online account?
You will get the COLA notice by mail in December. You can still create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount.
How do I get alerts when a new notice is posted?
Sign in, open the Message Center, go to Preferences, and choose text, email or both.
Where is the Message Center in my Social Security?
It is inside your personal account at ssa.gov/myaccount. After you sign in, the Message Center inbox lists your online notices.
Can I view my COLA notice online?
Yes, if you have an account and have chosen online notices. The notice opens as a PDF you can print or save.
How do I stop paper notices from Social Security?
Sign in, open Preferences, and under Communication Preference choose the option to stop the paper copy. Then agree to the authorization notice and save.
When will I get my COLA letter in the mail?
SSA says paper notices are mailed in December 2026 for people who did not choose online delivery.
Does Medicare take the whole COLA?
Usually not. For most people with premiums deducted from their benefit, hold harmless limits the premium increase to the size of the raise, and the projected increase is much smaller than the average COLA.
How much is Medicare Part B in 2027?
The official 2027 amount was not yet announced as of November 8, 2026. The Trustees projection is about $209.50 a month.
Conclusion
The my Social Security Message Center is the quickest way to learn what your 2027 Social Security check will look like, and Medicare enrollees have a particular reason to check it. The notice is expected in late November, ahead of the paper letter, and it will show the amount that matters most, your deposit after Medicare. To see it online you need an account and paperless notices by November 18.
The most useful steps are practical. Set up or sign in to your account now, turn on text or email alerts, and watch for the confirmed Part B premium that CMS is expected to publish in mid-November. Run your own numbers in the calculator, remember that the premium figure is still a projection, and compare Medicare plans before December 7. Ignore any message that asks for personal details in exchange for your notice. We’ll keep this guide current as the official figures arrive.


