Social Security announces 2027 benefit increase projection of 3.6 percent

Social Security benefits for retirees are expected to rise by 3.6 percent in 2027, according to current projections from AARP. The official announcement will come on October 14, 2026, after the government releases September inflation figures.

The increase is calculated using price data from July, August, and September 2026. If the 3.6 percent figure is confirmed, the average retired worker will receive about $75 more each month, bringing their payment from $2,071 to $2,146. Another group, the Senior Citizens League, predicts a slightly higher rise of 3.8 percent.

The 2026 increase was 2.8 percent, so 2027's adjustment would be larger. New payments will begin in January 2027, with exact dates depending on each recipient's birth date.