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The latest COLA bump for the US’s 71 million Social Security recipients will also affect the over six million veterans receiving disability compensation — though some are worried the historic increase still won’t be enough to keep up with rising everyday costs.
The newest cost of living increase for 2027 was announced yesterday by Frank J. Bisignano, the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, to be 3.6% — a notable jump from last year’s 2.8% adjustment, and the largest annual increase since 2023’s sky-high 8.2% increase. The extra money is meant to soften the blow of yearly inflation on financially vulnerable recipients.
The announcement follows the release of September inflation data by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is used annually to determine the increase.
Though the Department of Veterans Affairs is not directly tied to the Social Security Administration, the latter’s COLA bump generally provides VA members with the same increase in their tax-free monthly payments (though the organization has yet to publish its official payment tables, and the increase still necessitates Congressional approval, per Newsweek).
This expected 2027 VA benefit increase would boost payments across the board for all veterans who receive varying degrees of disability benefits (determined by the organization after evaluation of the severity of their mental or physical disability and number of dependents when applicable) and those who also receive Special Monthly Compensation, which helps veterans who have lost specific organs or extremities as a result of their service, by the corresponding 3.6% rate.
For example, VA disability checks would increase by around $6.50 a month for veterans with a 10% rating (meaning the VA has determined someone’s service-related medical condition or injury to impair 10% of their overall functioning), while those at 100% without dependents would get around $147.08 per month, according to Military.com.
This new rate, pending Congressional approval, would go into effect on December 1, though veterans would not actually be paid the higher rate until December 31 or January of the new year. No additional paperwork by veterans is required, as the rate increases automatically.
Though the extra cash is meant to aid those in need as everyday prices keep climbing, some veterans like Adam Jacob, a Marine Corps and Army vet with a 100% VA rating for PTSD and an injured back, fear the money may not help much.
“The COLA never really keeps up with inflation,” Jacob, who is unemployed and uses a service dog, told Stars and Stripes (a military media outlet). “The extra dollars each month for someone who is 100% disabled are not life-changing.”
Jacob emphasized that while he is still grateful for the extra funds, they ultimately don’t make a huge difference.
“I live from check to check and am running out of money at the end of each month,” he continued.
TikTok user @the_semper_patriots, who identifies himself on the platform as a United States Marine Corps (USMC) veteran, expressed his own doubt that the 2027 would do much good.
“With ever-rising inflation and these uncertain diesel and gas prices, 3.6, depending on whether or not you’re on Social Security or VA compensation, or a combination of both, it can help a little bit,” he admitted. “At least cover one extra bill.”
“But if things continue down the route that they’re going, 3.6 honestly just doesn’t seem like it’s going to be enough,” he continued.
While not all veterans who receive VA benefits also get Social Security benefits, Social Security recipients are similarly doubtful that the 2027 COLA will be enough to really help their finances. According to a recent AARP survey, 76% of older Americans feel that the adjustment — which will provide the average Social Security recipient with an additional $900 a year — does not keep up with consistently rising prices.
But Brett Martin, a retired Navy captain in charge of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission, is of the attitude that every little bit helps.
“I know groceries, utilities, and everyday expenses continue to stretch household budgets,” the vet said on Facebook. “Every additional dollar matters, especially to veterans, surviving spouses and seniors living on a fixed income.”
