Millions of retirees will soon learn how much their Social Security benefits will increase in 2027, but the headline percentage won’t tell you whether your personal budget is actually getting ahead. The Social Security Administration will announce the next cost-of-living adjustment in October, after September inflation data completes the calculation. The 2027 Social Security COLA is based on a broad inflation measure, while individual retirees can spend disproportionately on housing, health care, groceries, and utilities. That means a 3% or 4% benefit increase doesn’t automatically translate into 3% or 4% more breathing room. Before celebrating the new number, compare it against these five expenses in your own retirement budget.
