October 14 is the big day for Social Security’s 2027 COLA: What retirees need to know before the big announcement; will September inflation data shape your raise

The Social Security Administration will announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on October 14 at 8:30 a.m. ET. The announcement will follow the release of September's Consumer Price Index (CPI) by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the final inflation report needed to calculate next year's adjustment. The Senior Citizens League forecasts a 3.5% COLA for 2027. If the 3.5% forecast holds, it will mark the largest increase in four years. For comparison, the adjustment was 2.8% in 2026...