🤫 Your Social Security Raise Is Official — But You Won't Keep All of It

It's official: Social Security and SSI checks go up 3.6% in January 2027 — about $75 a month for the average retired worker. But before you spend a penny of it, one Medicare bill takes the first bite, and one tax line hasn't moved in more than 40 years. Here's exactly what the raise means for you, when the bigger check lands, and what you'll actually keep. 📘 The 2027 Senior Rulebook: https://theretirementwire.org/rules In this video: • The official 3.6% COLA — and how the law sets it (not politicians) • What it means in real dollars: average checks, couples, widows, and your own math (EXAMPLES) • The new SSI maximum: $1,029 for one person, $1,544 for a couple • When the bigger check lands: Dec. 31 for some, then Jan. 13 / 20 / 27 • The Medicare bite: projected Part B premium of $209.50 and the hold-harmless rule • The COLA notice: the 3 lines to check • Other numbers that change Jan. 1: earnings limits, disability earnings line, taxable maximum, top benefit • The tax line that has never had a raise since 1983 SOURCES (everything in this video is fact-checked against these): - Social Security Administration, Latest Cost-of-Living Adjustment (2027 COLA computation): https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/latestCOLA.html - Social Security Administration, 2027 COLA Fact Sheet: https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2027.html - Social Security Administration, COLA Information (COLA notices, my Social Security): https://www.ssa.gov/cola/ - Social Security Administration, Cost-of-Living Adjustment history: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.html - Social Security Administration, SSI Federal Payment Amounts: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W, series CWUR0000SA0): https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CWUR0000SA0 - AARP, Medicare Part B premium projected for 2027 (2026 Medicare Trustees Report): https://www.aarp.org/medicare/medicare-part-b-premium-2027/ - IRS, Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p915 - IRS, Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE): https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-counseling-for-the-elderly HELPFUL NUMBERS - Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) - Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) This video is for general information and education only. It is not financial, tax, legal, or medical advice. Dollar examples use made-up numbers; your exact new amount is on your COLA notice. The 2027 Part B premium shown is the Medicare Trustees' projection — the official amount is announced by Medicare later this fall. Share this with someone on Social Security who wants to know what their raise really means. Subscribe for Social Security and Medicare news the day it happens. FOOTAGE & IMAGES Stock footage courtesy of Pexels contributors (pexels.com) Website screenshots: ssa.gov, aarp.org, irs.gov (shown for news reporting and commentary) #SocialSecurity #COLA2027 #Medicare #Seniors