Social Leadership And Big Security Benefits To Rise By 3.6 Pc In US Next Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Social Security benefits in the United States will rise by 3.6 percent in 2027, giving retired workers an average increase of about $75 a month, the Social Security Administration announced.

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will affect nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled workers and their families. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will also increase for about 7.3 million recipients. Because some people receive both benefits, the combined number of beneficiaries is about 76 million.

The higher Social Security payments will begin in January 2027, while increased SSI payments will start on December 31, 2026.

The average monthly retirement benefit for a retired worker is projected to rise from $2,095 to $2,170. For an older couple in which both partners receive benefits, the average payment will increase from $3,238 to $3,355.

The average monthly benefit for a disabled worker is expected to rise from $1,642 to $1,701. For SSI recipients, the maximum federal monthly payment for an individual will increase from $994 to $1,029, while the amount for an eligible couple will rise from $1,491 to $1,544.

Beneficiaries will receive notices explaining their new payment amounts online in late November and by mail in December. Actual payments may vary depending on individual circumstances, and Medicare premium deductions may affect the amount deposited.

The 2027 adjustment follows a 2.8 percent increase in 2026. COLA is calculated using changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), based on inflation data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The adjustment is made automatically under federal law.

The administration also announced changes to earnings limits for 2027. The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes will rise from $184,500 to $192,300. For beneficiaries below full retirement age, the annual earnings limit will increase from $24,480 to $25,560.

The changes will also affect eligible Indian American retirees and other beneficiaries in the United States. Benefit amounts and eligibility depend on individual work records and applicable program rules. (IANS)