Social Security COLA for 2027 may be 3.5% to 3.6%, new estimates show
New government inflation data points to a higher Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2027. Here's what experts estimate the change may be.

TL;DR
- Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 is estimated to be between 3.5% and 3.6%.
- This would be the highest COLA in three years.
- Estimates from Mary Johnson and The Senior Citizens League project a 3.5% increase, while AARP forecasts 3.6%.
- The CPI-W increased 3.5% over the past 12 months as of August.
- Volatile oil prices are a factor that could influence the final COLA.
- The official COLA announcement is expected in October.
- The COLA is calculated using third-quarter inflation data compared to the prior year, specifically the CPI-W.