(OpGov.News / Global) — Millions of Americans receiving Social Security benefits have until Wednesday, Nov. 18, to complete an online step that could help them learn how much money they will receive in 2027.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) is asking beneficiaries who want early online access to their updated benefit notices to create a personal my Social Security account and enroll in paperless notifications by that date.
The deadline does not affect eligibility for benefits or the amount recipients will receive. Those who miss it will still receive their scheduled cost-of-living adjustment.
How Much Will Benefits Increase?
The SSA announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027, affecting approximately 76 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
For the average retired worker, the adjustment is expected to add approximately $75 per month, or $900 annually, before any applicable deductions.
The actual increase depends on a person's current benefits.
For example, a recipient currently receiving $1,500 per month would see an increase of approximately $54, while someone receiving $2,000 would receive about $72 more each month.
These estimates do not account for possible changes in Medicare premiums or other deductions.
What Recipients Should Do Before Nov. 18
Beneficiaries who want early access to their personalized 2027 benefit information can visit the SSA's official website at ssa.gov/myaccount.
They should create or sign in to their personal account, select paperless notices and check their Message Center when the updated information becomes available.
According to the SSA, online notices will begin appearing in late November, potentially up to three weeks before paper notices arrive.
The notices will show each recipient's updated monthly benefit, payment information and applicable deductions.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
There is no penalty for missing Nov. 18.
Recipients who do not enroll in paperless notices will receive their updated benefit information by mail in December. The annual increase is applied automatically to eligible benefits, without a separate application.
The higher Social Security payments will begin in January 2027. SSI recipients will see their increase beginning Dec. 31, 2026.
For people receiving Medicare, the amount deposited into their bank accounts may also depend on changes to their Medicare premiums.
Why the Notice Matters
For retirees and people living on fixed incomes, knowing the exact monthly payment can help with planning household expenses, including housing, groceries, utilities and medical costs.
Although the 3.6% adjustment is intended to help benefits keep pace with inflation, individual recipients may experience different changes in their take-home payments.
The SSA also warns beneficiaries to be cautious of unsolicited calls, messages, or emails requesting personal information. Creating a Social Security account is free, and recipients should use the agency's official website rather than unfamiliar links.
The key point: Nov. 18 is a deadline for early online access to 2027 benefit information, not a deadline to receive the benefit increase.
For additional information, visit Social Security's official 2027 COLA information page.
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