Social Security COLA calculator
See how a cost-of-living increase changes your Social Security check, and what it means after Medicare Part B.
By David Miller Updated Sources
The 2027 COLA is scheduled to be announced Wednesday Oct 14, 2026 at 8:30 am ET. Numbers below use an example percentage.
New monthly benefit
$2,060.00
$60.00 more each month
- Current monthly benefit
- $2,000.00
- Monthly increase
- $60.00
- New monthly benefit
- $2,060.00
- Annual increase
- $720.00
- A 3.00% increase adds $60.00 a month, $720.00 a year.
Scenarios, not the announced figure
| COLA | New monthly | Increase / month | Increase / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00% | $2,040.00 | $40.00 | $480.00 |
| 2.50% | $2,050.00 | $50.00 | $600.00 |
| 3.00% | $2,060.00 | $60.00 | $720.00 |
| 3.50% | $2,070.00 | $70.00 | $840.00 |
| 4.00% | $2,080.00 | $80.00 | $960.00 |
- The Social Security Administration rounds benefits by its own rules, so your actual amount can differ by a small amount. Your notice from SSA is the final word.
New monthly benefit
$2,060.00
How it works
How this calculator works
Enter your monthly benefit before the increase and the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) percentage. The calculator multiplies your benefit by one plus the percentage, then shows the monthly and yearly difference.
The 2027 COLA has not been announced yet, so the percentage above is an example you can change.The formula
new benefit = current benefit × (1 + COLA)Worked example
This example is calculated by the same code as the tool above.
- Your monthly benefit before the increase
- $2,000.00
- Cost-of-living increase (example, not announced yet)
- 2.80%
- Medicare Part B premium now
- $0.00
- Medicare Part B premium next year
- $0.00
New monthly benefit
$2,056.00
$56.00 more each month
What the COLA does not include
- Medicare Part B. If the premium comes out of your check, a higher premium reduces your net increase. Use the two Part B boxes to see the effect.
- Taxes. Part of your benefit can be taxable depending on your other income. This calculator does not estimate that.
- Rounding. The agency’s rounding can change the final figure slightly.
Sources
The official figure is published by the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov/cola. We record the date we checked it on this page.
Worked example
Using the default inputs on this page.
- Your monthly benefit before the increase
- $2,000.00
- Cost-of-living increase (example, not announced yet)
- 3.00%
- Medicare Part B premium now
- $0.00
- Medicare Part B premium next year
- $0.00
New monthly benefit
$2,060.00
$60.00 more each month
Questions
When is the 2027 COLA announced?
The Social Security Administration scheduled the announcement for Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 8:30 am ET. This page updates the same day.
When will I see the increase?
Social Security increases take effect with December benefits, which are paid in January. Check your notice from SSA for your exact amount and date.
How is the COLA decided?
By law it follows consumer price inflation, measured by the CPI-W. The agency compares the average CPI-W for July through September with the same period a year earlier.
Will Medicare Part B take part of my increase?
For many people, yes. The Part B premium is usually deducted from the Social Security payment, so a higher premium offsets part of the increase. The 2027 premium is announced separately, so enter it when you know it.
Is this exactly what I will receive?
No. It is an estimate. The Social Security Administration applies its own rounding and your benefit may include other adjustments. Your official notice is the final word.
Sources
- Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) information Social Security Administration. Retrieved 2026-10-11.