Tipswatch.com, updated Oct. 14, 2026
The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is based on an unusual inflation index – CPI-W – and is determined by averaging the indexes for July, August and September and comparing that number to the same average for the year before.
For payments in 2027, the cost-of-living adjustment will rise 3.6%, less than official U.S. inflation for the September-to-September period. The increase matched my prediction posted on July 26, 2026.
More information:
— Does The Social Security COLA Shortchange Seniors?
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Thanks, dave. I was looking at interim figures where the SPY return far exceeds the cap, but the earned return…