If that estimate holds, it would be noticeably higher than the 2.8% COLA that beneficiaries received for 2026.
What Could a 3.6% COLA Mean for Your Check?
For someone living on a fixed income, even a relatively small percentage increase can make a difference.
According to The Senior Citizens League, a 3.6% adjustment would increase an average monthly Social Security benefit of about $1,937.53 to approximately $2,007.28.
That works out to an increase of roughly $69.75 per month, although the actual amount would depend on how much each person currently receives.
Someone with a smaller monthly benefit would receive a smaller dollar increase, while someone receiving a larger benefit would see a larger increase.
The important thing to remember is that 3.6% is only an estimate right now.
No beneficiary should calculate their household budget around that number just yet.
