Social Security COLA Calculator for 2026 & 2027
Figures last verified against official SSA and BLS sources in September 2026.
Quick Answer
Use this Social Security COLA calculator to estimate how a COLA increase changes your monthly benefit. The 2026 Social Security COLA is 2.8% — official, announced October 24, 2025 by the SSA. For 2027, choose from projected rate scenarios; the official rate will be announced in October 2026. Enter your current benefit below to calculate your estimated increase instantly.
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What Your Social Security COLA Increase Means
The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is an automatic annual increase in Social Security benefits calculated using inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). It is designed to help benefits keep pace with rising prices.
Your gross COLA increase is a straightforward percentage applied to your full monthly benefit. Your net increase — what actually hits your bank account — may be smaller if Medicare Part B premiums also rise that year, since those premiums are deducted directly from your Social Security check.
2026 Social Security COLA — Official 2.8%
The Social Security Administration announced the 2026 COLA on October 24, 2025. The 2.8% rate was derived from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) data for the third quarter of 2025 (July, August, and September).
The 2026 Medicare Part B standard premium rose to $202.90 per month (up $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025), which is automatically deducted from Social Security checks for most enrolled beneficiaries.
Want a full explanation of why the 2026 rate is 2.8%, how it was calculated, and what it means for your retirement income? Read our Social Security COLA 2026 guide.
| Current Monthly Benefit | 2026 COLA (2.8%) Increase | New Monthly Benefit | Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| $800 | +$22.40 | $822.40 | +$268.80 |
| $1,200 | +$33.60 | $1,233.60 | +$403.20 |
| $1,500 | +$42.00 | $1,542.00 | +$504.00 |
| $1,900 | +$53.20 | $1,953.20 | +$638.40 |
| $2,500 | +$70.00 | $2,570.00 | +$840.00 |
| $3,000 | +$84.00 | $3,084.00 | +$1,008.00 |
Source: Calculations based on the official 2026 COLA of 2.8% as announced by the Social Security Administration. Figures are gross benefit increases before Medicare Part B premium deductions.
2027 Social Security COLA — Projected Scenarios
As of September 2026, the 2027 COLA cannot be confirmed. The official rate depends on Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) data for the third quarter of 2026 (July, August, and September), which will not be complete until the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the September 2026 report in mid-October.
Based on inflation trends through mid-2026, current analyst projections include:
- The Senior Citizens League (TSCL): approximately 3.6%
- AARP: approximately 3.5%
- General range: 3.1% – 3.8% depending on September CPI-W data
The 2027 tab in the calculator above lets you model any of these scenarios — or enter a custom rate — so you can plan ahead while clearly understanding these are estimates.
How the Social Security COLA Calculator Works
- Enter your current gross monthly benefit. This is your Social Security check amount before Medicare Part B is deducted. Find it on your Social Security benefit verification letter or at ssa.gov/myaccount ↗.
- Select a year tab. Choose 2026 — Official to see your confirmed increase using the locked 2.8% rate. Choose 2027 — Projected to model scenarios using analyst estimates or a custom rate.
- Optionally model a Medicare Part B offset. Check the box to enter an estimated Part B premium increase. This is a planning scenario — the actual 2027 Part B premium will be announced separately by CMS.
- Click Calculate. Results appear instantly showing your monthly increase, annual increase, and new estimated benefit.
Gross Benefit Increase vs. Net Deposit — Know the Difference
The COLA announced by SSA is always a gross percentage applied to your full benefit. What you actually receive in your bank account may be less if Medicare Part B premiums also increase — because those premiums are automatically deducted from your Social Security payment.
Example: Margaret receives $1,500/month. The 2026 COLA of 2.8% adds $42.00/month gross. But Medicare Part B rose by $17.90 in 2026. After the Part B deduction, her net monthly deposit increased by $24.10 — not the full $42.00.
The Hold Harmless rule (Section 1839(f) of the Social Security Act) ensures that if a Part B premium increase would reduce your net check below the prior year's level, your Part B premium is capped to prevent that. This protection applies only to beneficiaries who have Part B automatically deducted from their Social Security check and are not subject to IRMAA surcharges.
For more on how COLA interacts with Medicare, read our Social Security COLA 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Social Security COLA calculator work?
Enter your current gross monthly Social Security benefit, then select the year. For 2026, the official 2.8% COLA is applied automatically. For 2027, choose a projected rate or enter a custom percentage. The calculator instantly shows your monthly increase, annual increase, and new estimated benefit amount.
How do I calculate my Social Security COLA increase?
Multiply your current monthly benefit by the COLA percentage. For example, a $1,900 monthly benefit multiplied by the official 2026 COLA of 2.8% equals a $53.20/month gross increase, bringing the new monthly benefit to $1,953.20. This calculator does that math instantly.
What is the 2026 Social Security COLA?
The 2026 Social Security COLA is 2.8%. The Social Security Administration announced it on October 24, 2025. The increase took effect with benefits paid in January 2026 for Social Security recipients, and on December 31, 2025 for SSI recipients.
Can I estimate my 2027 Social Security increase?
Yes. The 2027 COLA tab lets you select a hypothetical rate or enter a custom one. Current projections from organizations like TSCL and AARP range from 3.1% to 3.8%, but the official rate will not be announced until October 2026. All 2027 results are clearly labeled as projected scenarios.
Does the calculator account for Medicare Part B deductions?
Yes, optionally. Check the "Model Medicare Part B premium offset" box to enter an estimated Part B premium increase. The calculator will show your net increase after the offset. This is clearly labeled as an optional scenario — the Part B premium is set independently by CMS, not automatically by the COLA percentage.
Does the calculator show annual as well as monthly increases?
Yes. Results display both your estimated monthly gross increase and the equivalent annual increase (monthly increase × 12), giving you a complete picture for household budget planning.
Is the Social Security COLA calculator free?
Yes, completely free. No account, no email address, no signup, and no paywall. All calculations happen instantly in your browser. No data is collected or stored.
What COLA rate should I use for 2027?
Until SSA announces the official 2027 COLA in October 2026, any rate you use is a projection. Based on 2026 CPI-W inflation trends, analysts currently project a range of 3.1%–3.8%. The calculator defaults to 3.6%, which matches the TSCL projection, but you can enter any custom rate.
Official Sources Used in This Calculator
| Source | What We Used It For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| SSA — Cost-of-Living Adjustment Information | Official 2026 COLA rate (2.8%) and CPI-W calculation methodology | ssa.gov/cola ↗ |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) | Monthly third-quarter inflation index data underlying annual COLA rates | bls.gov/cpi ↗ |
| CMS — Medicare Part B Premiums & Deductibles | 2026 standard Part B premium ($202.90) used in the optional offset model | cms.gov ↗ |
Seniors Audit is an independent educational platform. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration, BLS, or CMS. All calculations use official government formulas and published CPI-W data.
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About This Educational Estimate: This tool is for educational purposes only. Seniors Audit uses the official formulas published by Social Security Administration (SSA), but results are estimates based on the information you entered. Rules, rates, and eligibility thresholds change annually and vary by individual circumstance.
Always verify your specific result directly with Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213 or at www.ssa.gov/cola/ before making enrollment, coverage, or financial decisions.
If you have Medicare questions, a free SHIP counselor in your state can review your specific situation at no cost — find yours at shiphelp.org.
Seniors Audit is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or insurance company. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency, insurance company, or financial services firm. All calculations use the official formulas and current figures published by the agencies listed above. We do not receive payment for referrals, leads, or any action taken by visitors to this site. Last reviewed: September 2026.