Social Security will raise benefits 3.6% in 2027 for more than 75 million Americans, the largest increase in four years. Advocates say it will not restore purchasing power already lost, and one group backs two bills to change the index.
Perspective Coverage
8 publishers
- Builder
- Builder 6%
- Operator
- Operator 54%
- Investor
- Investor 40%
Reality
- Evidence86
- Adoption
- Not scored
- Hype gap+5
- Incentives45
- Confidence82
Social Security's 3.6% raise lags CPI-U by 0.1 point and the SSA's own CPI-W by 0.3
Social Security's 3.6% COLA for January 2027 adds an average $75 a month for nearly 72 million people and trails 3.7% CPI-U inflation. Advisors quoted by American Banker see an opening to review retirement income plans, with healthcare-heavy budgets the most exposed.
Reality
- Evidence68
- Adoption
- Not scored
- Hype gap+25
- Incentives55
- Confidence62
America's Voice study ties the exit of 1.2 million foreign-born workers to costlier US food and housing
Research commissioned by America's Voice says 1.2 million foreign-born workers left the US in two years, pushing up food prices and cutting housing permits. For builders and growers the labor gap is a planning problem this year, while the report's Social Security cut is a projection for 2034.
Reality
- Evidence42
- Adoption
- Not scored
- Hype gap+30
- Incentives72
- Confidence38
Two House Republicans move Social Security's $184,500 wage cap into play
Tom Cole and Lloyd Smucker have both said the payroll side of Social Security is open for discussion before the 2032 benefit cut, and the cap they would move sits at $184,500 of wages taxed at 12.4% between worker and employer.
Reality
- Evidence62
- Adoption
- Not scored
- Hype gap+28
- Incentives52
- Confidence56
A House Republican budget contender puts the $184,500 payroll tax cap back on the table
A senior House Republican says the payroll tax cap, now $184,500, is on the table, but he wants a higher retirement age and means-testing in the same package, which is the actual price of the trade.
Reality
- Evidence62
- Adoption
- Not scored
- Hype gap+28
- Incentives60
- Confidence55