Oregon Social Security Recipients Will Get a 3.6% Raise in 2027, but Rising Costs Remain a Worry

Oregon Social Security recipients will get a 3.6% increase in benefits in 2027, but older residents continue to face concerns about everyday expenses, retirement income, and health care costs.

Social Security Announces Higher Payments for 2027

The Social Security Administration announced the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on October 14. Nationally, nearly 72 million beneficiaries will see higher payments, with retirement benefits increasing by an average of $75 per month.

The increase will take effect in January 2027 and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for about 7.3 million recipients will reflect the increase beginning December 31, 2026. The adjustment was based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

SSI recipients can check their new benefit amounts through their personal my Social Security accounts. Those with an online account and enroll with paperless notices will be able to access their COLA notice online in late November, and others will receive their notices by mail in December. Medicare premium changes for 2027 will be announced separately.

Oregon Survey Highlights Social Security and Retirement Income Concerns

Despite the increase, a recent AARP Vital Voices survey of Oregon adults aged 45 and older highlighted concerns about financial security and the rising cost of living. The survey shows that, in Oregon, priorities are:

• Managing everyday expenses while preparing for the future is a high priority
• Affording groceries and household necessities ranks alongside having enough money for retirement and being able to stop working when desired.
• Affordable health care, prescription drugs, Medicare and future Social Security benefits are also important to respondents’ quality of life and financial stability.

The report confirms that, compared with 2023, concern about protecting Social Security and Medicare has increased.