Projection based on data verified through July 19, 2026 — official figure expected mid-October 2026
Plain-English summary: The 2027 VA COLA is tracking around 3.9% (analyst range ~2.8%–4.7%). If it holds, a 100% P&T check (no dependents) rises from $3,938.58 to about $4,092.18 a month. It's a projection until mid-October, takes effect December 1, 2026, and first appears in the January 2027 payment. The COLA also lifts CRSC.
Key takeaways
- The 2027 COLA is projected ~3.9% as of July 2026 — a projection, not the final number.
- A 100% P&T veteran (no dependents) would go $3,938.58 → ~$4,092.18/mo (about +$153.60/mo, ≈$1,843/yr).
- The official figure lands mid-October 2026, takes effect Dec 1, and shows up in your January 2027 check.
- The COLA also applies to CRSC that restores combat-related retired pay.
- The raise only helps on money you're already collecting — for many Chapter 61 retirees, the bigger sum is the CRSC they haven't claimed yet.
Projected 2027 monthly rates by rating
These figures apply a projected 3.9% COLA to the current 2026 rates for a single veteran with no dependents. Treat them as estimates until the official number is announced.
| Rating | 2026 (current) | 2027 (projected 3.9%) | Increase / mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | $552.47 | $574.02 | +$21.55 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,177.08 | +$44.18 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,878.98 | +$70.53 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,454.43 | +$92.13 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,092.18 | +$153.60 |
Rates for veterans with dependents are higher and adjust by the same percentage. Use the calculator for your exact situation.
How the COLA is actually set
The VA COLA isn't chosen by a politician — it's inflation math. The government averages a measure called CPI-W (the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers) across July, August, and September, then compares that average to the same three months a year earlier. The percentage difference becomes the adjustment. That's why the 2027 figure isn't official until those summer readings close.
The 2027 timeline
- Now through September 2026: the summer CPI-W numbers accumulate (currently tracking ~3.9%).
- Mid-October 2026: the official COLA is announced.
- December 1, 2026: the new rate takes effect.
- January 2027: the larger payment lands in your account.
Why the COLA is the smaller story for combat-disabled retirees
A cost-of-living adjustment raises what you already receive. It does nothing for compensation you're entitled to but not yet collecting. For combat-disabled Chapter 61 retirees — medically retired under 20 years — the VA waiver often zeroes out retired pay, and CRSC is the tool that restores the combat-related portion, tax-free. A 3.9% bump on $0 of CRSC is still $0.
If you're a combat-disabled retiree, the annual COLA is worth understanding — but whether you're collecting your full CRSC is worth far more. That's the number worth checking. Run it here →
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2027 VA disability COLA?
As of July 2026 it's projected at about 3.9%, based on spring CPI-W data, with analyst estimates ranging roughly 2.8% to 4.7%. The official figure is announced in mid-October 2026.
How much will 100% VA disability pay in 2027?
Under a projected 3.9% COLA, a 100% P&T veteran with no dependents would go from $3,938.58 to about $4,092.18 per month — roughly $153.60 more. This is a projection until October.
When does the 2027 VA COLA take effect?
It takes effect December 1, 2026, and first appears in the payment you receive in January 2027.
Does the COLA increase CRSC?
Yes. The annual COLA applies to CRSC that restores combat-related retired pay, the same way it applies to VA disability compensation.
The bottom line
A ~3.9% raise is welcome news, and for a 100% veteran it's about $153 more a month starting in January 2027. But it's a projection until October, and it only grows the money already flowing to you. If you're a combat-disabled Chapter 61 retiree, the bigger question isn't the size of next year's bump — it's whether you're collecting the CRSC you're owed at all. We'll update this page when the official number lands.