Social Security recipients to get high inflation boost

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

Social Security beneficiaries in the U.S. are projected to receive a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment in 2027, the largest increase in four years, potentially raising the average monthly payment to over $2,000. This adjustment aims to help roughly 70 million recipients offset rising inflation costs, with the official figure to be announced on October 14 following the latest Consumer Price Index data.

Social Security beneficiaries in the United States may see their monthly payments increase significantly in 2027, following projections of a higher-than-usual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Advocacy group The Senior Citizens League estimates that the 2027 COLA will reach 3.5 percent, marking the largest boost in four years. This adjustment would raise the average monthly benefit to just over $2,000 for approximately 70 million Americans receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.

The Social Security Administration is expected to announce the official COLA figure on October 14, after the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. The COLA is designed to help Social Security payments keep pace with inflation and offset the rising cost of goods and services faced by retirees and other beneficiaries.

Recent inflation indicators show that consumer prices increased by 3.4 percent in August compared to the same month last year. Based on this data, The Senior Citizens League’s forecast of a 3.5 percent adjustment would raise the average monthly benefit by approximately $67.90, from $1,940.08 in 2026 to $2,007.98 in 2027. This projection represents a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the group’s previous estimate but still exceeds the 2.8 percent and 2.5 percent increases granted in 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Shannon Benton, executive director of The Senior Citizens League, emphasized the impact that short-term economic fluctuations could have on the final COLA determination. “The biggest thing we’re watching with the COLA announcement coming are short-term shocks to the economy that push inflation way up or down in the next 30 days,” Benton said.

For the first time, the AARP has issued a preliminary COLA forecast ahead of the official announcement. Rich Johnson, vice president for financial security at the AARP Public Policy Institute, noted that releasing early estimates helps families better prepare their budgets, which remain tight amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

The official COLA, derived from the CPI data for the third quarter of the year, will provide clarity to millions of Social Security recipients as they plan for the year ahead.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.