With colder weather here and the leaves turning, fall has officially arrived. Less sunshine, yes, but it’s also the time of year when the 2027 updates start rolling in for many government programs that affect millions of people.
One of the biggest is the 2027 Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which came in at 3.6%. That raise goes straight to millions of seniors and other beneficiaries. It also drives many other figures, which I cover in the articles below.
What Actually Changed This Month
- 2027 Social Security COLA: It’s official at 3.6%, the largest raise since 2023. The average retirement check goes from $2,095 to about $2,170 a month starting with January 2027 payments.
- 2027 SSI Maximum Payment: The federal maximum rises to $1,029 a month for individuals and $1,544 for couples. SSI recipients see it first, in the payment dated December 31, 2026.
- Will SNAP Get Cut Off After December 11?: October 1 passed with no lapse because a stopgap signed September 2 funds SNAP through December 11. Congress has to act again by then, or a funding gap starts December 12.
- Medicare Advantage Plan Exits for 2027: At least 3.8 million enrollees are losing their plan for 2027, and 181 counties will have no Medicare Advantage plan at all. Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7.
- Student Debt After SAVE: SAVE is ending and borrowers have to pick a new plan inside their exit window. One new deadline worth noting: sign up for auto-pay by December 31, 2026 to lock in a 1% rate discount through June 2028.
Popular Pages
- Federal Employee GS Pay Chart: The 2027 pay freeze for most civilian GS employees is confirmed. Federal law enforcement is carved out for a 3.8% raise.
- Military Pay Charts: The 2027 military raise is set at 7% for junior enlisted, scaling down to 5% for senior officers, unless a signed NDAA changes it.
- Federal IRS Tax Brackets: The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 single and $32,200 married filing jointly. The IRS usually releases 2027 brackets in October or November, and I’ll update the page when it does.
- IRS Tax Refund Schedule: The IRS hasn’t set the 2027 filing season start yet. Based on recent years, I expect e-filing to open in the last week of January 2027.
- Capital Gains Tax Rates: For 2026, the 0% long-term rate applies up to $49,450 of taxable income for singles and $98,900 for married couples. That’s worth knowing before any year-end selling or tax-loss harvesting.
The official 2027 Medicare Part B premium comes out in November, and the IRS 2027 tax brackets could land any day, so expect both in next month’s list.
