For Individuals
Social Security for retirees and workers
Whether you are years from retirement or claiming soon, start here for clear, practical guidance on your benefits.
Start here
Estimate your benefit
Use the official PIA formula to project your monthly retirement benefit.
Find your payment date
See when your benefit arrives each month based on your birthday.
Learn the basics
Full retirement age, COLA, spousal and survivor benefits, explained simply.
Official forms & guides
Apply, appeal, and find SSA publications in our resource directory.
News for individuals
MoreMay Inflation Rose to 4.2%: What It Means for the COLA
Inflation jumped to 4.2% in May — the highest in three years — mostly on an oil-price spike. It nudges 2027 Social Security COLA estimates up, but two facts keep it from being a 4.2% raise: the COLA uses a different index, and only July through September counts.
What the New Inflation Report Means for the 2027 COLA
A fresh inflation report lands June 10, and it will hint at where the 2027 Social Security COLA is heading. But here is the catch most coverage skips: it won’t actually count toward the COLA — only July through September will.
Why October Is a Big Month for Social Security
Every October, Social Security reveals the most important numbers for the year ahead — the COLA, and the figures that travel with it. Here is what gets announced, why it happens then, and when it takes effect.
How to Get Help From Social Security Faster in 2026
Social Security’s offices have been stretched by staffing cuts, but there are faster ways to get what you need. Here’s what to expect — and how to skip the longest waits.
2027 COLA Estimate: What 3.9% Could Mean at Age 62
An early estimate puts the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment at 3.9% — which would add roughly $54 a month to a typical 62-year-old’s benefit. But it is only a forecast; the official number won’t arrive until October 2026.
Social Security Could Face a ~$500 Monthly Cut in 2032
A new analysis finds that if Social Security’s retirement trust fund is exhausted on schedule in 2032, benefits would face an automatic ~24% cut — averaging about $500 a month — unless Congress acts. Here is what the numbers say and what they don’t.
The week in Social Security, in one email
A short weekly digest of the most important Social Security news, guides, and policy developments. No hype, no spam — just clear answers.
Double opt-in. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.