Social Security and SSI raise for 2027
Social Security and SSI rise 3.6 percent for 2027. The federal SSI payment standard is $1,029 a month for one person and $1,544 for a couple. SSA estimates the average retired worker benefit goes from $2,095 to $2,170. SSI's January payment is dated December 31, 2026. This page does not ask for a Social Security number.
Simple answer
Benefits rise 3.6 percent for 2027.
SSI's January payment is dated December 31, 2026. The new federal SSI amounts are $1,029 and $1,544.
The 3.6 percent COLA
The SSA fact sheet says Social Security and SSI rise 3.6 percent for 2027, based on the Consumer Price Index from the third quarter of 2025 through the third quarter of 2026. Last checked 2026-10-16.
The same sheet estimates the average retired-worker benefit at $2,095 before the COLA and $2,170 after it. The October 14, 2026 press release says retirement benefits will increase by $75 a month on average. Your letter shows your own amount.
New SSI federal amounts
Individual: $1,029 a month.
Couple: $1,544 a month.
Those are the federal payment standards on the 2027 fact sheet. A state may add a supplement. This page does not list state supplements. The SSI state pages show this 2027 income screen next to the 2026 screen. The example on those pages still uses 2026.
2027 payment dates by birthday
If you filed on or after May 1, 1997, SSA pays on a Wednesday based on the birthday of the person whose record you are paid on.
- Birthday on the 1st through the 10th: the second Wednesday.
- Birthday on the 11th through the 20th: the third Wednesday.
- Birthday on the 21st through the 31st: the fourth Wednesday.
If that Wednesday is a federal holiday, SSA pays on the weekday before. People who got Social Security before May 1997, or who get both Social Security and SSI, are paid Social Security on the 3rd. SSI is paid on the 1st.
The 2027 calendar PDF lists each month. That file did not open when we checked on 2026-10-16, so the Wednesday dates are not retyped here.
When January SSI arrives
Increased SSI payments begin with the December 31, 2026 payment. Social Security benefits that include the COLA begin in January 2027. SSA says January SSI is paid at the end of December because January 1 is a holiday.
See your notice online
In late November 2026, most people can read the COLA notice in the Message Center of a my Social Security account. Create the account and choose paperless notices by November 18, 2026 if you want it online. If you do not, SSA mails the notice in December. We never ask for a Social Security number.
SSI by state shows the 2026 income screen and the 2027 screen of $1,029 and $1,544.
Last checked: October 16, 2026
Sources
- SSA 2027 COLA fact sheet 3.6 percent, SSI payment standards, and the retired-worker average.
- SSA press release, 3.6 percent benefit increase for 2027 Dated 2026-10-14. $75 average retirement increase and the December 31, 2026 SSI payment.
- SSA FAQ: 2027 COLA amount and timing
- SSA COLA information for 2027 Online COLA notices in late November 2026.
- SSA Handbook section 121, payment days Wednesday payment days by birthday.
- SSA schedule of Social Security benefit payments, 2027 The PDF did not open on October 16, 2026, so Wednesday dates are not copied here.
- my Social Security
What changed
- October 14, 2026. SSA announced the 3.6 percent COLA for 2027.