How much will Social Security payments increase in 2027?

0Starting next year, more than a million Washington residents will see their Social Security payments increase by $75.

The Social Security Administration announced an increase of 3.6% cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) set to begin in January 2027. COLAs have been adjusted yearly since 1975, according to the SSA. Last year's COLA adjustment was 2.8%, and this year's 3.6% increase is the largest adjustment since an 8.7% increase in 2022.

Monthly benefits will increase to around $2,170 on average, according to AARP and SSA estimates.

“There’s a lot on the line financially right now for older Americans: One in five have no retirement savings, and more people feel financially insecure this year than last," said AARP Chief Executive Myechia Minter-Jordan said in a statement.

COLA adjustments help Social Security and Supplemental Security Income keep pace with rising inflation. The change is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for the third quarter (July through September) of each year.

Around 1.5 million Washington residents are beneficiaries of Social Security and will see the adjustment next year, according to 2025 data from the SSA.

The COLA adjustment comes weeks after President Donald Trump announced that around 490,000 Washington Medicare Part B enrollees would receive $90 checks to cover premium costs.

Social Security benefits will increase on average by $75 per month.

This year's COLA increase will take effect in January 2027.

76 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, according to the administration.

Beneficiaries can log into their My Social Security account to view the most recent COLA change. The 2026 notice will be available online to most beneficiaries in "late November," according to the SSA.

If you don't have a My Social Security account, COLA notices will arrive by mail in December.

Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network's Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at zfletcher@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: How much will Social Security payments increase in 2027?