2027 Social Security COLA: 3.2% to 3.6%

Current projections place the 2027 federal benefit adjustment in the low-to-mid-3% range, topping the ~3% increase paid for 2026 to beneficiaries this year.
The yearly update uses the avg. wage-earner inflation index for Early-Q3, Mid-Q3, and Late-Q3 averages, compared with the same period a yr earlier.
Early-Q3 offered the first clue: consumer prices were up mid-3% yearly, slightly cooler than Late-Q2, but two more inflation readings remain pending.
Forecasts range from low-3% to mid-3%; at the top estimate, an avg. ~$1.9K monthly benefit would total ~$2K after a ~$70 monthly addition next year.
The official 2027 adjustment is expected October 14 after Late-Q3 inflation arrives, and the new benefit level is set to begin with Early-Q1 2027 payments.