The 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is official, and retirees now have a few months of practical questions to sort out: when the increase shows up, where to see the new amount, and how much of it survives after Medicare and health insurance deductions. Here is what to expect between now and the first payment in January.
The 2027 COLA at a glance
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 3.6% COLA on October 14, 2026. Social Security beneficiaries and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees receive the full 3.6%. Most eligible Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees receive 2.6%, because the FERS formula subtracts one percentage point when the Social Security COLA is above 3%. The COLA Watch page has the full breakdown, and the federal retiree COLA guide explains the formula.
| Benefit | 2027 COLA | First paid | Where to see the new amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 3.6% | January 2027 | my Social Security account, or a mailed notice in December |
| CSRS annuity | 3.6% | January 2027 | Office of Personnel Management (OPM) online account |
| FERS annuity (age 62 and older, plus certain special categories) | 2.6% | January 2027 | OPM online account |
| FERS annuity under age 62 | Generally none | Not applicable | Not applicable |
When the increase takes effect
The COLA takes effect December 1, 2026, but annuities are paid after the month ends, so the first higher CSRS or FERS payment arrives in January 2027. OPM states that annuity adjustments are made in December and the adjusted payment is received the following month. Social Security beneficiaries also see the higher amount in January.
For a rough sense of scale, a Social Security benefit of $2,000 a month rises by about $72 before any deductions. A FERS annuity of $2,000 a month for a retiree who qualifies for the COLA rises by about $52. SSA says the average retired-worker increase is about $75 a month.
How to see the new Social Security amount online
Retirees with a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online starting in late November, up to three weeks before a paper notice would arrive. Those without an account need to create one and enroll in paperless notices by November 18 to see the notice online. Account holders can also turn on text or email alerts that announce a new message in the account’s Message Center.
Beneficiaries who have not enrolled in paperless notices receive a mailed notice in December. SSA describes the new notice as a one-page letter with the exact dates and dollar amounts of the new benefit and any deductions. For Medicare enrollees, the 2027 premium amount is scheduled to appear in the Message Center starting in late November. The SSA COLA page has the official details.
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How to check the annuity increase through OPM
CSRS and FERS retirees can check the new annuity through their OPM Retirement Services Online account. The monthly verification of annuity shows the gross payment, deductions and net amount, and the annual summary of payment shows year-to-date totals. OPM also publishes COLA answers for annuitants.
One caution from last year: after the 2026 COLA, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) reported that some December 2025 annuity statements showed January payment amounts. Retirees can compare the bank deposit with the statement and report discrepancies to OPM. The earlier coverage of that statement problem has the details.
Why the net increase is smaller than the headline number
The COLA is a gross figure. Several things can change at the same time and reduce the amount that lands in the bank account.
- The standard Medicare Part B premium usually rises with the COLA and is deducted from the Social Security benefit. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has not yet announced the 2027 premium, and Medicare.gov will carry the official figures. Current numbers are on the Medicare premiums page.
- Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) premiums change for the new plan year. The FEHB premium rates page lists the 2027 figures, and the open season page covers the dates for changing plans.
- A larger annuity or benefit can change federal income tax withholding, so a review of Form W-4P and the withholding on the annuity statement can prevent a surprise at tax time.
The free COLA calculator shows the increase for a specific annuity, including the effect of Medicare Part B and FEHB premium changes.
Who does not receive the COLA
Most FERS retirees do not receive an annuity COLA until age 62. Disability retirees, survivor annuitants and special provision retirees, such as law enforcement officers, firefighters and air traffic controllers, receive the FERS COLA regardless of age. The FERS annuity supplement never receives a COLA. Retirees who joined the annuity rolls during 2026 generally receive a prorated increase based on their retirement date. The COLA history page shows how the FERS reduction has compared with the CSRS COLA each year, and the Equal COLA Act would remove the difference, though the reduction still applies to 2027.
A short timeline for the next 10 weeks
- By November 18: create a my Social Security account and enroll in paperless notices to see the COLA notice online.
- Late November: check the my Social Security Message Center for the COLA notice and the 2027 Medicare premium.
- December: watch the mail for a Social Security notice if no online account is set up, and review the OPM annuity statement.
- January 2027: compare the first higher payment with the notice or statement, and report any difference.
Watch for COLA scams
Announcements like this tend to bring out scammers who send fake texts, emails and calls about a “new benefit amount.” The safer route is to sign in directly at ssa.gov or through OPM’s official site rather than clicking a link in an unexpected message, and to treat any request for payment or personal details as a red flag.