Home › Military & veterans › 2027 COLA

2027 retiree and VA COLA: 3.6%

As of Oct. 21, 2026 · SSA announced Oct. 14, 2026

Short answer: the 2027 COLA is 3.6%, the same as Social Security's. Military retired pay goes up automatically on Dec. 1, 2026 and shows up in the Dec. 31, 2026 payment (SBP annuitants: Jan. 4, 2027). REDUX/CSB retirees get 2.6%. VA disability is promised the same 3.6%, but only after Congress passes the yearly COLA bill; as of Oct. 21, 2026 it had not passed. That's $36 more a month for every $1,000.

$2,590 a month

Retired pay: $2,500 × 3.6% = +$90. First paid Dec. 31, 2026.

Gross, before SBP, taxes and allotments. Your Retiree Account Statement (myPay) shows the exact amount.

Show the math

CPI-W, July-September average: 2025 = 317.265; 2026 = 328.746. (328.746 − 317.265) ÷ 317.265 × 100 = 3.619%, rounded to the nearest tenth = 3.6% (10 U.S.C. 1401a; SSA uses the same CPI-W).
REDUX: 3.6% − 1 point = 2.6% (applies when the COLA is over 1%).
VA examples if the bill passes: 10% rating, no dependents $180.42 × 1.036 = $186.92; 100%, no dependents $3,938.58 × 1.036 = $4,080.37. Estimates rounded to the cent; VA's published table is final.
$2,500 retired pay × 3.6% = $90.00 → $2,590.00 a month.

VA COLA bill status

H.R. 8552, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026: forwarded by subcommittee to the full House Veterans' Affairs Committee, June 30, 2026.
S. 4487 (same name): referred to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, May 11, 2026.
Both make the raise effective Dec. 1, 2026 once law. Last year's bill became law in late November.

Sources: H.R. 8552: Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2026 S. 4487: Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2026 VA: current disability compensation rates

Next step: Check your Retiree Account Statement in myPay · VA disability rates 2026 · Social Security 2027 COLA · Military money hub

Sources

SSA: 3.6% benefit increase for 2027 (Oct. 14, 2026)
SSA: latest COLA and CPI-W (Oct. 2026)
DoD Military Compensation: Retirement COLA (read Oct. 21, 2026)
10 U.S.C. 1401a: retired pay COLA (current)
DFAS: retired and annuitant pay schedule (updated Sept. 16, 2026)
VA: current disability compensation rates (read Oct. 21, 2026)
H.R. 8552: Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2026 (latest action June 30, 2026)
S. 4487: Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2026 (latest action May 11, 2026)

Facts and arithmetic from official sources, not financial, legal or investment advice. VaultRubric is not part of DoD, VA, TRICARE or OPM. This page has no partner links.

FAQ

What is the 2027 COLA for military retirees?

3.6%, effective Dec. 1, 2026, first paid Dec. 31, 2026. REDUX/CSB retirees get 2.6%.

Will VA disability go up 3.6% in 2027?

VA matches the Social Security COLA, but Congress must pass the yearly COLA bill first (H.R. 8552 / S. 4487). As of Oct. 21, 2026 it had not passed.

How was the 3.6% figured?

The July-September 2026 CPI-W average (328.746) was 3.619% above 2025's (317.265), rounded to 3.6%.

Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.