Contact:
Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
571-527-3982
simona.combi@ncoa.org

Oct. 15, 2026, Arlington, Virginia—The following is a statement from Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), on today’s announcement of the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027:

“A 3.6% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment may look like welcome news, but for many of the nearly 76 million Americans who rely on Social Security and SSI, it simply will not provide the relief they need. The formula behind the COLA does not reflect the true cost of what older adults need to buy, especially health care. The prices that shape their daily lives continue to strain budgets that were already stretched to the breaking point.

“More than 10 million older Americans live in poverty under the Supplemental Poverty Measure, according to the most recent Census data. For them, even a new prescription, a modest increase in rent, or a higher utility bill can force an impossible choice between food, medicine, and keeping a roof over their head. A COLA that fails to reflect these realities is not true protection against rising costs.

“Health care—one of the largest expenses for older adults after housing—is expected to rise faster than the COLA for many people with Medicare. Medigap coverage, for example, is anticipated to increase an average of 10% to 15% in 2027, while Medicare Part D deductibles are expected to rise by $85 and maximum out-of-pocket costs by $300.

“Lawmakers must strengthen Social Security, protect benefits from cuts, and adopt a more accurate measure of inflation for older adults, such as the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly. Older adults do not experience inflation the same way as workers. They spend a greater share of their income on health care and housing, yet the current COLA formula is based on the spending patterns of urban wage earners.

“Social Security is a promise earned over a lifetime of work. A 3.6% adjustment cannot become an excuse for inaction while older Americans fall further behind. Congress must ensure that Social Security benefits reflect the true cost of aging with dignity, so we can create the conditions for all to age well today and into the future.”

About NCOA  
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, best practices, and advocacy to create the conditions for everyone to age with health and economic well-being. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.