One Inflation Report Will Determine Social Security’s 2027 Raise — It Arrives Oct. 14

The September inflation report, scheduled for October 14, will provide the final data needed to calculate Social Security’s 2027 cost-of-living adjustment. Current forecasts suggest a larger increase than 2026’s 2.8% raise, but the official percentage has not yet been announced. Tada Images/Shutterstock

Millions of Americans receiving Social Security are just days away from learning how much their monthly benefits will increase in 2027. The final piece of the puzzle arrives Wednesday, October 14, when the federal government releases its September inflation report. For retirees already struggling with rising grocery bills, insurance premiums, and housing expenses, that announcement could help determine how much financial breathing room they’ll have next year.

The 2027 Social Security COLA will be calculated using inflation data from July, August, and September 2026, with the final month’s numbers completing the formula. According to the Social Security Administration, cost-of-living adjustments are designed to help benefits keep pace with inflation, although they don’t guarantee that every retiree’s expenses will rise at the same rate. Here’s what beneficiaries should understand before the October 14 report arrives.