Social Security Delays 2027 COLA Until Oct. 14 as Estimates Cluster Around 3.5%
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Sep 21
Social Security Delays 2027 COLA Until Oct. 14 as Estimates Cluster Around 3.5%
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Finance · Sep 21
Summary
The Social Security Administration cannot set the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment yet because the third quarter is still incomplete, leaving September CPI-W data as the final missing input.
Oct. 14 is the expected release date for September inflation data, and the official COLA announcement should follow shortly after along with updates to the maximum benefit, wage cap and earnings-test limit.
Current estimates point to a 3.5% 2027 COLA from the Senior Citizens League and analyst Mary Johnson, while AARP projects 3.6%, but any September inflation shift could change the final figure.
The delay matters because this year's 2.8% COLA has lagged inflation for many retirees, and Medicare Part B premiums could still reduce the net increase in Social Security checks.