Senior Citizens League Projects 3.8% Social Security COLA for 2027

The Senior Citizens League projects a 3.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2027. This estimate would raise the average monthly benefit by $79 to approximately $2,163, while the maximum monthly check would increase by $197 to $5,378.

The Social Security Administration is scheduled to announce the official COLA on October 14, 2026, following the calculation of third-quarter inflation averages. Statistician Alex Moore noted that unstable oil prices remain a primary variable that could shift the final percentage.

These projected gains come as recipients manage rising costs, including a 9.7% increase in Medicare Part B premiums to $202.90 per month in 2026. In response to these disparities, U.S. Representative John Larson has reintroduced the Social Security 2100 Act. The bill proposes switching the COLA calculation to the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to better prioritize spending on medical care and housing, though the legislation has not yet passed.