If you want to see your 2027 Social Security benefit amount weeks before the paper letter arrives, the key date is November 18. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says people with a personal my Social Security account can view their my Social Security COLA notice online starting in late November, up to three weeks earlier than the mailed version. If you do not have an account yet, you need to create one and enroll in paperless notices by November 18 to see your notice online this year.
For federal retirees who also collect Social Security, that early look is more than a convenience. It shows your exact new benefit and deductions, which makes it easier to plan your January budget alongside your annuity and any health premium changes from Open Season.
What SSA announced about COLA notices
On October 14, 2026, SSA announced a 3.6 percent benefit increase for 2027. According to the release, nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the cost-of-living adjustment beginning in January 2027, and increased payments to about 7.3 million people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) begin on December 31, 2026.
The same release explains how and when you will find out your own new amount:
- People with a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online starting in late November.
- Account holders can choose to get text or email alerts when a new message, including the COLA notice, arrives in their account's Message Center.
- People without an account must create one and enroll in paperless notices by November 18 to see the notice online.
- Anyone not enrolled in paperless notices will receive the COLA notice by mail in December.
If you want the details of how the 2027 increase compares with the FERS and CSRS annuity COLAs, we covered that in what the 2027 COLA means for FERS and CSRS retirees. This article focuses on the notice itself and how to get it early.
Why your my Social Security COLA notice matters
The headline COLA percentage is the same for everyone. Your notice is not. SSA says beneficiaries will receive a simplified, one-page COLA notice that uses plain, personalized language and gives exact dates and dollar amounts for your new benefit and any deductions.
That last part matters for many federal retirees. If you are enrolled in Medicare and your premium is deducted from your Social Security payment, your net deposit can change by a different amount than the COLA alone would suggest. SSA says that for Medicare enrollees, the 2027 premium amount will be available in the my Social Security Message Center starting in late November. General information about Medicare changes for 2027 is published at medicare.gov.
What the notice helps you plan
Having the exact figures a few weeks early can help you:
- Update your monthly budget before January rather than after.
- Compare your new Social Security deposit with your new federal annuity and FEHB or PSHB premium.
- Decide whether to adjust federal tax withholding on your benefit or annuity, ideally with help from a tax professional.
- Spot anything unexpected, such as a deduction you did not anticipate, while there is still time to ask questions.
Open Season runs from November 9 through December 14, 2026. Seeing your Social Security notice in late November means you could have your new benefit amount in hand while there is still time to make your 2027 health plan choice.
How to get your COLA notice online by November 18
The steps are short, but give yourself time in case identity verification takes a few tries.
- 01Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount and create a personal my Social Security account, or sign in if you already have one.
- 02Enroll in paperless notices. SSA's release is specific that new account holders must do this by November 18 to see the COLA notice online.
- 03Turn on text or email alerts so you know when a new message arrives in your Message Center.
- 04In late November, sign in and open your Message Center to view the notice.
If you already have an account, it is still worth signing in before November 18 to confirm your contact information and alert settings are current. If you prefer paper, you do not need to do anything. Your notice will arrive by mail in December, and your increase does not depend on whether you go paperless.
Protecting your account
A my Social Security account holds sensitive information, so treat it like your bank account. Always type the address yourself or use a bookmark rather than following links in unexpected emails or texts. SSA notification alerts tell you a message is waiting; sign in directly to read it. Use a strong, unique password and keep your recovery email and phone number up to date.
A note for federal retirees with two COLAs
Many FERS retirees receive both a federal annuity and Social Security, and CSRS retirees may also receive Social Security from other work. Each benefit follows its own rules and timeline. Your Social Security notice comes from SSA, while your federal annuity adjustment comes through OPM. Neither notice tells the whole story of your household income on its own.
A simple approach is to wait until you have both the Social Security notice and your first 2027 annuity statement, then put your actual net amounts side by side with your expenses. Our budget guide offers a straightforward way to do that, and the Federal Retirement Blueprint brings your pension, TSP, Social Security, and FEHB into one retirement income picture.
If you are still working
You do not need to be collecting benefits to get value from a my Social Security account. Federal employees still on the job can use the same account to review their Social Security Statement and earnings record. Checking that your earnings history is complete is a good habit years before retirement, because your future benefit is based on it. Setting up the account now also means that when you do apply, you already know how to sign in and where your messages will appear.
Where to find more official information
SSA keeps its COLA information, including the 2027 fact sheet, at www.ssa.gov/cola. Your personal notice remains the most reliable source for your own numbers, since it reflects your specific benefit and deductions.
For more plain-English guides on federal benefits, browse our federal benefits articles or visit the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
When can I see my Social Security COLA notice online?
SSA says people with a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online starting in late November, up to three weeks earlier than a paper notice.
What is the November 18 deadline?
If you do not already have a my Social Security account, SSA says you need to create one and enroll in paperless notices by November 18 to see your COLA notice online this year.
What if I miss November 18?
You will still receive your COLA notice by mail in December, and your benefit increase still applies. Going paperless only changes how and when you see the notice.
How much is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
SSA announced a 3.6 percent increase for 2027. On average, SSA says retirement benefits will rise by $75 per month. Your own change appears on your notice.
Will my notice show my Medicare premium?
SSA says the notice includes exact dollar amounts of your new benefit and any deductions. For Medicare enrollees, the 2027 premium amount will be available in the my Social Security Message Center starting in late November.
Does this notice cover my FERS or CSRS annuity?
No. The Social Security notice covers only Social Security benefits. Your federal annuity adjustment is handled by OPM and appears on your annuity statements.
