Nearly a month into the third quarter of 2026, the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) projections are beginning to come into focus. The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior group, estimates the 2027 COLA will be around 3.8%. What a 3.8% Social Security COLA could do to the average and maximum checks in 2027The average Social Security retirement benefit as of June 2026 is about $2,084 per month. We won't know the official 2027 COLA until the Social Security Administration announces it on Oct. 14, 2026. The Social Security Administration will send you a personalized COLA notice in December that shows your exact 2027 benefit amount.