2027 Social Security COLA 3.6 Percent Is Official Now: The 2027 COLA is now official, and the number is bigger than most retirees expected a few months ago. The Social Security Administration announced on October 14, 2026, that benefits will rise 3.6 percent in January, worth about $75 a month to the average retired worker. But that headline is not the amount that lands in your bank account. Most beneficiaries have their Medicare Part B premium deducted from the check, and the Medicare trustees project it will climb to $209.50 next year from $202.90. We’ll be updating this article monthly.
Here is the part most headlines skip. If the projection holds, Part B absorbs about $6.60 of the raise each month, which leaves the average retiree with roughly $68 more instead of $75. That is a far better outcome than last year, when the premium jumped 9.7 percent against a 2.8 percent COLA. The official premium will not be known until CMS publishes it, typically in mid-November. This guide shows your net raise in dollars, explains who is protected by the hold harmless rule, lays out the payment schedule, and includes a free calculator so you can test your own numbers.
Social Security 2027 COLA 3.6 Percent Is Official Key Numbers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| COLA announcement | October 14, 2026 |
| 2027 COLA | 3.6 percent |
| 2026 COLA | 2.8 percent |
| Average retired worker raise | About $75 per month |
| People receiving the raise | Nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries and about 7.3 million SSI recipients |
| 2026 standard Part B premium | $202.90 per month |
| Projected 2027 Part B premium | $209.50 per month (not official) |
| Projected increase | $6.60 per month, about 3.25 percent |
| 2026 Part B deductible | $283 |
| Projected 2027 Part B deductible | About $292 |
| Official Part B announcement | Expected mid-November 2026 |
| Medicare Open Enrollment | October 15 to December 7, 2026 |
| SSI payment with the raise | December 31, 2026 |
| Social Security payment with the raise | January 2027 |
How Much of the 2027 COLA Will You Keep After Medicare Part B?
The simplest way to see the effect is to subtract the projected $6.60 premium increase from your raise. The table shows a net result at several benefit levels, assuming Part B is deducted from your check and the premium lands at $209.50.
| Monthly benefit now | COLA raise at 3.6% | Part B increase | Net raise per month | Share of raise taken by Part B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $36.00 | $6.60 | $29.40 | 18.3 percent |
| $1,500 | $54.00 | $6.60 | $47.40 | 12.2 percent |
| $2,000 | $72.00 | $6.60 | $65.40 | 9.2 percent |
| $2,095 | $75.42 | $6.60 | $68.82 | 8.8 percent |
| $2,500 | $90.00 | $6.60 | $83.40 | 7.3 percent |
| $3,000 | $108.00 | $6.60 | $101.40 | 6.1 percent |
| $4,000 | $144.00 | $6.60 | $137.40 | 4.6 percent |
The pattern is clear. A flat premium increase hurts lower benefits the most in percentage terms, because the same $6.60 cuts a bigger slice out of a smaller raise. Someone getting $1,000 a month loses nearly a fifth of the increase to Part B, while someone at $4,000 loses less than five percent. These are my own calculations from the SSA’s 3.6 percent figure and the trustees’ projection, so treat them as estimates until CMS makes the premium official.
Medicare Part B Premium 2027: Projected $209.50 and What Could Change
The $209.50 number comes from the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report, released in June. It is a projection and not a final price. The report a year earlier had pointed to $218.60 for 2027, so the new estimate came in about $9 lower, which is good news for anyone watching their budget.
Trustees’ estimates have missed in both directions in the past, so it helps to plan for a range. This table shows what a different final premium would do to the average retiree’s net raise of about $75.
| If the 2027 premium is | Increase over $202.90 | Net raise for the average retiree |
|---|---|---|
| $209.50 (trustees’ projection) | $6.60 | About $68.80 |
| $215.00 | $12.10 | About $63.30 |
| $220.00 | $17.10 | About $58.30 |
Even in the higher cases, the raise stays positive. The Part B deductible is also expected to rise from $283 to about $292, though that is a yearly out-of-pocket cost that does not come out of your Social Security check.
2027 COLA and Medicare Part B Net Raise Calculator
Use the calculator below to enter your own benefit, test different premium amounts and see whether Part B is eating a large share of your raise. It also lets you factor in federal tax withholding.
2027 COLA and Medicare Part B Net Raise Calculator
The Social Security Administration set the 2027 COLA at 3.6 percent. The Part B premium for 2027 is still a projection of $209.50 until CMS publishes the official number, so you can change it below.
Estimates only. The hold harmless rule does not cover everyone, and your December notice from the Social Security Administration shows the exact amount. Income-related Part B surcharges and Part D charges are not included.
The Hold Harmless Rule Explained
Many retirees worry that a big premium increase could make their check smaller than last year. A federal protection called the hold harmless rule exists for that situation. In general, it says the Part B premium increase cannot reduce your net Social Security payment below what you received the year before.
The rule only matters when your COLA raise in dollars is smaller than the premium increase. At 3.6 percent and a $6.60 increase, that means benefits below roughly $183 a month. That is a low threshold, so for most people the rule will not come into play in 2027. It also does not protect everyone. People who pay higher income-related premiums, new Medicare enrollees and those who pay their premium directly instead of through a deduction are not covered. It also does not apply to people whose state pays the premium on their behalf.
Why the 2027 Net Raise Looks Better Than Last Year’s
A year ago the numbers were harsh. The 2026 COLA was 2.8 percent, which gave the average retired worker about $56 more per month. The standard Part B premium rose $17.90 to $202.90, an increase of 9.7 percent. After the premium, the net raise for the typical retiree was about $38 a month, using my own subtraction.
Compare that with 2027. The raise is larger at $75, the projected premium increase is smaller at $6.60, and the net lands near $68. That is nearly double last year’s net gain. It does not make Medicare cheap, since the premium is still far above where it was a few years ago, but it does mean this is a rare year when the COLA clearly outpaces the Part B hike.
Who Pays More Than the Standard Premium? IRMAA Explained
Higher earners pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount, known as IRMAA, on top of the standard premium. It is based on your tax return from two years earlier, so your 2027 surcharge uses your 2025 income. In 2026, the surcharges started at modified adjusted gross income above $109,000 for single filers and $218,000 for married couples filing jointly. The 2027 brackets will be published along with the official premium.
If you had a one-time income bump in 2025, such as selling a home or taking a large retirement withdrawal, you can ask the Social Security Administration to review your IRMAA by filing a form that explains a life-changing event. Retirement, a death of a spouse, divorce and work stoppage are among the reasons accepted.
Social Security Payment Schedule for the 2027 COLA
The raise arrives in two waves. SSI recipients get the higher payment first, on December 31, 2026, because January 1 is a federal holiday. Social Security recipients see the increase in payments made in January 2027, which cover December benefits. Your payment date depends on your birth date or the date you started receiving benefits.
| Group | January 2027 payment date |
|---|---|
| Born on the 1st through the 10th | Wednesday, January 13 |
| Born on the 11th through the 20th | Wednesday, January 20 |
| Born on the 21st through the 31st | Wednesday, January 27 |
| Began benefits before May 1997 | Usually the 3rd of the month |
| Receive both Social Security and SSI | Usually the 3rd of the month |
| SSI only | December 31, 2026, then the 1st of each month |
If the payment day falls on a weekend or holiday, the Social Security Administration generally pays on the previous business day. For your exact date, use the official payment calendar listed in the resource table below.
How to Apply for Social Security, SSI and Medicare
You do not apply for the COLA. It is added automatically to benefits already being paid. If you are not yet receiving benefits, here is how to get started.
- Social Security retirement or disability: Create or sign in to your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount and start the application. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or make an appointment at a local Social Security office.
- SSI: Start at ssa.gov/ssi or call the same national number. SSI is for people with limited income and resources who are 65 or older, blind or disabled.
- Medicare: If you already get Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you are usually enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. If you are not receiving benefits yet, sign up at ssa.gov/medicare. Your initial enrollment window runs for seven months around your 65th birthday.
Gather your Social Security number, proof of birth, recent tax documents and bank information before you begin. If you are enrolling in Medicare, note that you can delay Part B if you or a spouse still have qualifying employer coverage, but late enrollment can mean a permanent premium penalty.
2027 Social Security COLA Forecast 3.6% and How Much Retirees Could Get
Processing Time: What to Expect After You Apply
Timing depends on the type of claim. A straightforward retirement application submitted online is often processed within a few weeks. Disability claims are slower because medical evidence must be gathered and reviewed, and the process can stretch across several months. SSI falls in the middle and depends on how fast income and asset documents are verified.
Social Security pays one month behind, so your first retirement check normally arrives the month after your first month of eligibility. Medicare enrollment through Social Security usually takes a few weeks, and you will receive a red, white and blue card in the mail. To keep things moving, respond to every notice quickly, double check your direct deposit details, and track your claim through your online account.
Other Social Security Numbers That Change in 2027
The SSA also adjusted several thresholds that affect workers and early claimants.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum taxable earnings | $184,500 | $192,300 |
| Earnings limit, under full retirement age all year | $24,480 per year | $25,560 per year |
| Monthly earnings limit equivalent | $2,040 | $2,130 |
| Disability work threshold, non-blind | $1,690 per month | $1,770 per month |
| Disability work threshold, blind | $2,830 per month | $2,950 per month |
If you claim before full retirement age and keep working, benefits are held back by $1 for every $2 you earn above $25,560. The money is not lost forever, because the SSA recalculates your benefit once you reach full retirement age.
Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Tomorrow
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, and it is the best moment to react to the new numbers. During this window you can switch between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan, change Medicare Advantage plans, or pick a different Part D prescription drug plan. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Because the raise is bigger this year, some retirees feel tempted to ignore their plan and let it renew. That is a risk. Drug formularies, pharmacy networks and premiums change every year, and a plan that was a bargain in 2026 may no longer fit. Compare your plan using the official Medicare Plan Finder before the deadline.
Ways to Lower Your Part B Burden
If the premium is hard to afford, there are programs that can help.
- Medicare Savings Programs: Your state may pay your Part B premium if your income and resources fall below set limits. Apply through your state Medicaid office.
- Extra Help: This federal program lowers prescription drug costs for people with limited income. Apply through the Social Security Administration.
- IRMAA appeal: If your income dropped because of a life event, ask for a new decision.
- Plan review: During open enrollment, compare Medicare Advantage options that may offer lower total costs for your situation.
Social Security 2027 COLA Is 3.6%: What Your Bigger Check Looks Like Before and After Medicare
Official Websites and Resources
Only use government sites when you log in, register or check a status. Scammers send fake COLA messages every fall.
| Resource | What you can do | Website |
|---|---|---|
| my Social Security | Log in, register, check application status, see your benefit | ssa.gov/myaccount |
| SSA COLA page | Read the official announcement and fact sheet | ssa.gov/cola |
| Apply for benefits | Retirement, disability, survivor and SSI claims | ssa.gov/apply |
| Medicare sign-up | Enroll in Parts A and B | ssa.gov/medicare |
| Payment calendar | Exact deposit dates | ssa.gov/benefits |
| Medicare | Plan Finder, costs and open enrollment | medicare.gov |
| CMS | Official Part B premium and deductible announcement | cms.gov |
| Medicare Savings Programs | Help paying premiums | medicare.gov/basics/costs/help |
| IRS Publication 915 | Tax rules for Social Security benefits | irs.gov |
| SSA national line | Questions, appointments and claim status | 1-800-772-1213 |
FAQs About the 2027 COLA and Part B
What is the COLA for 2027?
The 2027 COLA is 3.6 percent. The Social Security Administration announced it on October 14, 2026.
How much will Medicare Part B cost in 2027?
The trustees project $209.50 a month, up from $202.90. The official number is expected in November.
Will Medicare take my Social Security raise?
It will take a small part. At the projected premium, Part B absorbs about $6.60 a month of the raise.
What is the hold harmless rule?
It generally stops a Part B premium increase from shrinking your net Social Security check below last year’s amount.
When will I see the 2027 COLA in my check?
SSI recipients get it on December 31, 2026. Social Security recipients see it in January 2027 payments.
Is the 3.6 percent COLA the highest in years?
Yes. It is the biggest since 2023, when the COLA was 8.7 percent.
Is the $209.50 Part B premium final?
No. It is a projection from the Medicare trustees. CMS will announce the official premium, usually in mid-November.
Conclusion
The 2027 COLA is good news, and the Medicare Part B picture is milder than last year. At 3.6 percent, the average retiree gets about $75 more per month, and if the trustees are right, Part B will take only about $6.60 of it. The final premium is still pending, so keep the net raise in perspective until CMS publishes the number in November.
Between now and January, use the calculator to test a few scenarios, review your Medicare plan before December 7, and sign in to your my Social Security account so your notice reaches you quickly. Stick to official government websites for every login and application. We’ll keep this page current as the official Part B figures arrive.
Social Security Changes October 2026: SSA Announces Major Update for Retirees and Beneficiaries
