What is the Social Security COLA for 2027?
3.6%. It takes effect with December 2026 benefits, paid in January 2027, for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. The 2026 COLA was 2.8%.
Social Security COLA for 2027: 3.6%
Paid from January 2027 · worked out from the CPI-W for July to September 2026
2027 COLA3.6%2026: 2.8%
Average, last 10 years3.4%2018 to 2027
CPI-W, July to September328.72025: 317.3
Wage base 2027$192,3002026: $184,500
Your new benefit
From January 2027, after the 3.6% COLA
$2,072.00- More each month
- $72.00
- More over the year
- $864.00
Social Security COLA by year
| Paid from January | COLA | CPI-W, July to September |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 3.6% | 328.746 |
| 2026 | 2.8% | 317.265 |
| 2025 | 2.5% | 308.729 |
| 2024 | 3.2% | 301.236 |
| 2023 | 8.7% | 291.901 |
| 2022 | 5.9% | 268.421 |
| 2021 | 1.3% | 253.412 |
| 2020 | 1.6% | 250.200 |
| 2019 | 2.8% | 246.352 |
| 2018 | 2.0% | 239.668 |
| 2017 | 0.3% | 235.057 |
| 2016 | 0.0% | 233.278 |
| 2015 | 1.7% | 234.242 |
| 2014 | 1.5% | 230.327 |
| 2013 | 1.7% | 226.936 |
| 2012 | 3.6% | 223.233 |
| 2011 | 0.0% | 214.136 |
| 2010 | 0.0% | 211.001 |
| 2009 | 5.8% | 215.495 |
| 2008 | 2.3% | 203.596 |
| 2007 | 3.3% | 199.067 |
| 2006 | 4.1% | 192.700 |
| 2005 | 2.7% | 185.100 |
| 2004 | 2.1% | 180.300 |
| 2003 | 1.4% | 176.567 |
| 2002 | 2.6% | 174.133 |
| 2001 | 3.5% | 169.700 |
| 2000 | 2.5% | 163.933 |
| 1999 | 1.3% | 160.000 |
| 1998 | 2.1% | 157.867 |
| 1997 | 2.9% | 154.633 |
| 1996 | 2.6% | 150.233 |
| 1995 | 2.8% | 146.400 |
| 1994 | 2.6% | 142.367 |
| 1993 | 3.0% | 138.767 |
| 1992 | 3.7% | 134.700 |
| 1991 | 5.4% | 129.900 |
| 1990 | 4.7% | 123.333 |
| 1989 | 4.0% | 117.800 |
| 1988 | 4.2% | 113.267 |
| 1987 | 1.3% | 108.700 |
| 1986 | 3.1% | 107.333 |
| 1985 | 3.5% | 104.067 |
COLAs as published by SSA. Each is the rise in the July to September CPI-W average over the last year with a COLA; recalculating from today’s published index gives the same figure every year except 1991 and 1999, which differ by 0.1 point.
Source: Social Security Administration; CPI-W from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data through September 2026 CPI.
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). Social Security COLA for 2027: 3.6%. Data: Social Security Administration; CPI-W from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2026 CPI. https://www.insytesbi.com/economy/social-security-cola/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/economy/social-security-cola/">Social Security COLA for 2027: 3.6%</a>Frequently asked questions
How is the COLA calculated?
From the CPI-W, the price index for urban wage earners: the average for July, August and September 2026 (328.746) against the same average in 2025 (317.265), a rise of 3.6%, rounded to the nearest tenth. When prices do not rise, there is no COLA and the next one is measured from the last year that had one.
When will the 2028 COLA be announced?
In October 2027, when the September 2027 CPI is published. This page updates with it.
What was the biggest COLA?
Since the current formula began, the largest was 8.7%, paid from January 2023. There was no COLA in 2010, 2011, 2016.
What is the Social Security wage base for 2027?
$192,300, up from $184,500. Social Security tax of 6.2% each for workers and employers (12.4% if self-employed) applies to pay up to it.