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DispatchPending in Congress · 1 min read

Social Security Sets a 3.6% COLA for 2027; the VA Increase Now Waits on Congress

VA disability pay is required to match the Social Security COLA, but the 2027 increase is not final until Congress passes H.R. 8552 or S. 4487.

VeteranHomeMatch Editorial Team · 4 primary sources

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3.6%

2027 Social Security COLA, announced October 14, 2026

Dec 1, 2026

When the VA increase would take effect if a bill passes

≈ $2,032.06

Estimated monthly pay, 70% rating with a spouse (from $1,961.45)

Where it stands

  1. Oct 14, 2026

    Social Security announces a 3.6% COLA for 2027

  2. NowNow

    H.R. 8552 and S. 4487 wait in Congress; VA has not posted 2027 rates

  3. Dec 1, 2026

    The increase would take effect if either bill becomes law

  1. What happened

    The Social Security Administration announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 on October 14, 2026. The VA says it is required by law to match the Social Security COLA percentage, but the VA's own increase is set each year by a Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act.

  2. Where it stands

    Two bills would do that for 2027: H.R. 8552 in the House and S. 4487 in the Senate. Either one would make the increase effective December 1, 2026. Neither had become law when this dispatch was published, and the VA has not posted 2027 rates.

  3. What it could mean for a home loan

    Compensation that is reasonable to expect to continue counts as income in VA underwriting, so a higher award raises the income side of your debt-to-income ratio and your residual income. As an estimate only, a 70% rating with a spouse and no children or dependent parents would rise from $1,961.45 to about $2,032.06 a month at 3.6%. Use the current VA table until the new one is posted.

  4. What to do now

    If you are close to the line on residual income, ask your lender which rate table they will use and when. Our guide on the 2027 COLA and your home loan walks through the numbers.

The Briefing · 32-second video

VA disability increase 2027: expected 3.6%, pending law

Social Security set a 3.6% COLA for 2027 and the VA is required by law to match it, but Congress has to pass the bill first. What the raise could mean for a 70% veteran with a spouse, and for a VA loan.

Captions built in. General education, not financial advice.

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