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Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2027
Baltimore, MD – The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced a 3.6 percent benefit increase for 2027. Social Security benefits include Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by $75 per month.
Nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2027. Increased payments to about 7.3 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2026. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
Projected standard Medicare Part B premium for 2027
The projected standard Medicare Part B premium for 2027 is $209.50 per month, according to the 2026 Medicare
The official 2027 FERS COLA is 2.6%, while CSRS retirees receive the full 3.6%.
Key facts at a glance
FERS COLA (2027): 2.6% because FERS reduces COLAs by one percentage point when inflation exceeds 3%
Effective date: December 1, 2026 (first reflected in January 2027 payments)
- Social Security COLA: also 3.6% for 2027
Why the FERS COLA is lower
Federal law applies a three‑tier formula to FERS COLAs:
- If CPI‑W increase is over 3%, FERS COLA = CPI‑W − 1 percentage point
- The CPI‑W increase for 2027 is 3.6%, so FERS receives 3.6% − 1.0% = 2.6%.
This reduction does not apply to CSRS, which always receives the full CPI‑W‑based COLA.
Who receives the 2027 FERS COLA
FERS COLAs generally do not apply to retirees under age 62 on December 1 of the COLA year
Exceptions include:
- Survivor annuitants
- Certain disability annuitants
- Law enforcement officers, firefighters, Capitol Police, air traffic controllers
- Military reserve technicians separated due to loss of military membership
The FERS annuity supplement never receives a COLA
Earlier forecasts ranged from 3.2% to 3.6% depending on the model
Open season
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, which includes the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, is the largest employer-sponsored health benefits program in the United States. It provides health insurance benefits to approximately 7.9 million Federal employees, U.S. Postal Service employees, certain Tribal employees, annuitants, and their eligible family members. The Federal Benefits Open Season for the 2027 Plan Year will be held from November 9 through December 14, 2026.