A projected 4.7% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 may add $98 monthly but fail to outpace inflation and rising costs.
Social Security recipients are projected to receive a 4.7% cost-of-living adjustment in 2027, translating to an average increase of $98 per month. The adjustment aims to offset inflation but may be absorbed by rising grocery, utility, and Medicare Part B premium costs.
The 4.7% COLA would mark one of the largest increases in recent years, though prior adjustments have struggled to preserve retirees’ purchasing power. Inflation acceleration has driven the higher projection, but beneficiaries may see little net financial improvement.
Analysts suggest retirees explore supplemental income sources, such as part-time work or dividend stocks, to mitigate stagnant real benefits.