2027 VA COLA: 3.6% increase and when it hits your check

Quick answer: Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 is 3.6% (SSA press release, Oct. 14, 2026). VA disability compensation and DIC rise by the same percentage, effective Dec. 1, 2026, once Congress passes this year's VA COLA act. Because VA pays each month in arrears, the first payment at the new rate is the December benefit, normally due Jan. 1, 2027. New Year's Day is a federal holiday, so that payment goes out Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026 (VA pay dates). VA has not published 2027 rate tables yet, so this page has no 2027 dollar table.

What's official, and what's still pending

• The 3.6% is official. SSA announced it Oct. 14, 2026: Social Security benefits rise 3.6% "beginning in January 2027," and SSI on Dec. 31, 2026 (SSA press release, Oct. 14, 2026).
• Disability compensation and DIC still need Congress. Unlike Social Security, the VA compensation COLA is set by a new law each year. This year's bills, S. 4487 and H.R. 8552 (both called the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026), raise compensation by "the same percentage" as Social Security's Dec. 1, 2026 increase, effective Dec. 1, 2026. That covers basic compensation (38 U.S.C. 1114), the added amounts for dependents, the clothing allowance and DIC for surviving spouses and children. The bills also require VA to publish the new amounts in the Federal Register. Status: neither bill had become law as of Oct. 16, 2026; S. 4487 was still listed as introduced and referred to committee on congress.gov.
• VA pension is automatic. Under 38 U.S.C. 5312, when Social Security benefits go up, VA must raise Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension rates, parents' DIC and a few other rates by the same percentage, effective the same date. No separate bill is needed for those.
• VA's position: VA's rates page says, "We're required by law to match the percentage of cost-of-living adjustments made to Social Security benefits" (VA: current rates). The current table there is still the 2026 one, effective Dec. 1, 2025.

When you'll see it

1. Dec. 1, 2026: new rates take effect (the date in both bills and 38 U.S.C. 5312).
2. Dec. 31, 2026: the December benefit is paid, the first payment at the new rate (38 U.S.C. 5120(e): Jan. 1 is a holiday, so it moves to the weekday before). This is what people mean by "the January 2027 payment."
3. No delay for COLA increases: VA's rule that new or increased awards start paying the month after they take effect doesn't apply to raises that come only from a COLA law (38 CFR 3.31(c)(4)), so December's benefit gets the raise.

If the law is signed late, the bills still make the raise effective Dec. 1, 2026. How and when VA would pay any difference would depend on when it's enacted; we'll update this page once that happens.

Estimate calculator (illustrative only)

What the COLA does and doesn't do

• It raises the rate for your current rating. It doesn't change your rating. If your conditions got worse, that's a separate claim for an increase.
• It applies across the table, including the added amounts for a spouse, children and parents, so make sure your dependents are on your award (see VA back pay and effective dates).
• Not sure of your rating? Check it with the VA combined rating calculator and on VA.gov.
• Military retired pay gets its own COLA through DFAS. Concurrent receipt (CRDP/CRSC) is explained in CRSC vs CRDP.

When will the 2027 VA pay chart come out?

VA hasn't given a date. Last year's rates took effect Dec. 1, 2025, and VA's rates page was last updated Dec. 2, 2025. We'll post VA's official table on our 2027 VA disability pay chart page as soon as VA publishes it. Until then, today's official numbers are on the 2026 VA disability pay chart.

Related: VA disability pay dates · 2027 VA COLA (3.6%) · 2026 VA pay chart · 2027 VA pay chart (coming) · VA combined rating calculator · VA back pay and effective dates · CRSC vs CRDP · Military pay dates · FAFO Mil home · All vet benefit guides