ROANOKE, Va. \u2013 If you receive Social Security, your monthly benefit is expected to change next year.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because Social Security benefits are adjusted each year for inflation through what\u2019s known as a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.<\/p>\n
The 2026 COLA was 2.8%. The Social Security Administration says it will announce the next COLA in October 2026.<\/p>\n
Social Security Administration: COLA information<\/a><\/p>\n How is the 2027 COLA calculated?<\/p>\n The Social Security Administration uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as the CPI-W, to calculate the annual COLA.<\/p>\n The calculation uses the average CPI-W for the third quarter of the year \u2014 July, August and September \u2014 and compares it with the third-quarter average from the last year in which a COLA became effective.<\/p>\n That means September\u2019s inflation data is the final piece of the calculation for the 2027 COLA.<\/p>\n The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release September\u2019s Consumer Price Index data in October.<\/p>\n What could a Social Security increase mean for your monthly budget?<\/p>\n The Social Security Administration estimates the average monthly retirement benefit for a retired worker was about $2,071 in January 2026.<\/p>\n For example, a hypothetical 3.5% increase on a $2,071 monthly benefit would be about $72.49 more per month, bringing the benefit to roughly $2,143.49.<\/p>\n That\u2019s only an illustration. The actual 2027 COLA has not been announced.<\/p>\n A larger Social Security check also doesn\u2019t necessarily mean more money left over at the end of the month, because the costs of necessities can change as well.<\/p>\n Inflation is still affecting everyday expenses<\/p>\n The latest federal inflation data shows consumer prices increased 3.4% over the 12 months ending in August 2026.<\/p>\n During that same period:<\/p>\n Food: +2.7%<\/p>\n Shelter: +3.0%<\/p>\n Energy: +16.3%<\/p>\n The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that medical care services increased 2.5% over the year.<\/p>\n Bureau of Labor Statistics: August 2026 Consumer Price Index<\/a><\/p>\n That means how much a Social Security increase actually helps a beneficiary\u2019s budget can depend on that person\u2019s individual expenses, including housing, food, utilities and health care.<\/p>\n Medicare costs are another factor<\/p>\n For many older adults, Medicare is another expense that can affect how much of a Social Security increase they actually see.<\/p>\n The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026, up $17.90 from $185 per month in 2025.<\/p>\n The 2027 Part B premium has not yet been finalized.<\/p>\n