Social Security COLA Calculator
Enter your current benefit and see your new check for any cost-of-living adjustment — including 2027 scenarios.
Not sure? The 2026 average retirement check is $2,071; the maximum federal SSI payment is $994.
Gross amounts, before any Medicare premium deduction. The 2027 COLA will be announced in mid-October 2026 — see the 2027 COLA outlook.
Compare scenarios at a glance
The same benefit under different adjustments — the table updates as you change the amount above:
| COLA | New monthly benefit | Increase per year |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0% | — | — |
| 2.5% | — | — |
| 2.8% (2026 actual) | — | — |
| 3.0% | — | — |
| 3.5% | — | — |
| 4.0% | — | — |
How the COLA is set
Each October, the SSA compares average third-quarter inflation (the CPI-W index for July, August, and September) against the same quarter a year earlier. The percentage increase — rounded to the nearest tenth — becomes the cost-of-living adjustment applied to every Social Security and SSI benefit starting with January payments. Read the full breakdown on our COLA 2027 page, or see the2026 payment schedule for when checks actually arrive.
Recent COLA history
| Year | COLA |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.8% |
| 2025 | 2.5% |
| 2024 | 3.2% |
| 2023 | 8.7% |
| 2022 | 5.9% |
Full series: SSA COLA history.
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Frequently asked questions
How does the COLA calculator work?
Enter your current gross monthly benefit and pick a COLA percentage. The calculator multiplies your benefit by the adjustment and shows the new monthly amount plus the monthly and yearly increase. It works for retirement, SSDI, survivor, and SSI benefits alike, since the COLA applies the same percentage to all of them.
What COLA should I use for 2027?
The official 2027 COLA won't be announced until mid-October 2026. Until then, try a range of percentages — recent COLAs have run between 2.5% and 3.2% (2026's was 2.8%), but the real number depends on third-quarter inflation data.
Does the result include Medicare premiums?
No. The calculator shows your gross benefit. Most beneficiaries have the Medicare Part B premium deducted from their check, and that premium changes each year too — so your net deposit can rise by less than the COLA.
Is this an official SSA calculator?
No. SSTracker is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. The math matches how the COLA is applied (a straight percentage increase to your gross benefit), but your official amount always comes from the SSA notice you receive in December or your my Social Security account.
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