Retirement Social Security

The 2027 Social Security COLA Could Push Spousal Benefits Past a Major Milestone in 2027

Spousal benefits could hit a new average next year.

By David Maina, CPA , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Sept. 8, 2026

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If you collect Social Security on your spouse's work record, your monthly check could be getting close to a milestone. The average spousal benefit is already just shy of $1,000, and the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment could be enough to push it past that mark for the first time.

For couples living on just Social Security, a few extra dollars each month can still help when everyday costs keep creeping higher. Your own increase may be larger or smaller than the average, though, because spousal benefits depend on your spouse's earnings record and when you claim.

Here's what to know about the possible increase and what it could mean for your monthly check.

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How your spousal benefit is calculated

Your spousal benefit is tied to your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record. The maximum you can receive is 50% of the amount your spouse earned at their full retirement age, known as their primary insurance amount.

For example, a $2,000 full retirement benefit would give you a maximum spousal benefit of $1,000, while a $1,200 benefit would give you up to $600.

Note that claiming before your full retirement age lowers that amount. If you start a spousal benefit at 62, you could receive about 32.5% of your spouse's full retirement benefit instead of the maximum 50%.

The reduction is permanent once you claim, which can leave you with a smaller Social Security check throughout retirement.

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How much could the 2027 COLA add to your check?

As of mid-2026, roughly 2.09 million spouses of retired workers are collecting an average benefit of about $987 a month. TSCL's projected 3.6% COLA for 2027 would add approximately $36 to that average, bringing it to about $1,023 and potentially pushing the average above $1,000 for the first time.

Your increase would depend on how much you already receive because the COLA is a percentage of your current benefit. At 3.6%:

A $600 monthly benefit would increase by about $22.
A $1,500 monthly benefit would increase by about $54.

If your check is already close to $1,000, the 2027 COLA could push it past that mark. If you receive less, you would still get the same percentage increase, just on a smaller starting amount.

Why you may not keep the full COLA increase

Most people on Medicare have their Part B premium taken directly out of their Social Security payment. The standard premium is projected to rise from $202.90 a month in 2026 to about $209.50 in 2027, an increase of $6.60.

For someone receiving the average spousal benefit, a 3.6% COLA would add about $36 a month. After accounting for the projected Part B increase, roughly $29 of that raise would be left.

If you receive help paying your Part B premium through a Medicare Savings Program, the higher premium may not come directly out of your Social Security payment.

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How to check whether you're getting the right benefit

If you qualify for Social Security on your own work record and through your spouse, Social Security generally pays you the higher amount available rather than both benefits in full. Your own retirement benefit is paid first, and if the spousal benefit is higher, Social Security can add an extra amount to bring your payment up to that higher level.

You can check your benefit information through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov and compare it with your spouse's full retirement age benefit. If the numbers do not line up with what you expected, you can contact Social Security to ask whether an additional spousal amount should be included in your payment.

If you are divorced, you may still qualify for a spousal benefit on your ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you meet Social Security's other eligibility rules. Claiming on an ex-spouse's record does not reduce the amount they receive.

When you'll know your exact number

Social Security will announce the official 2027 COLA on October 14, once the final inflation numbers used in the calculation are available. The current 3.6% estimate could still move depending on what the August and September data show.

You'll get your personalized benefit notice in December, showing how much you are scheduled to receive each month starting in January 2027. If you have a my Social Security account, you may be able to see the notice online before the paper copy arrives in the mail.

Your notice will also account for any Medicare premium deducted from your Social Security payment, so you can see how much is actually expected to reach you each month.

Bottom line

A little time spent checking your Social Security benefit could pay off well beyond the 2027 COLA. If a spousal or ex-spousal benefit would give you a higher monthly payment, knowing that now can help you get more from Social Security in the years ahead.

Once you know you are receiving the benefit you qualify for, any COLA increase is simply more money added to the check you already count on. It is one more way to make your Social Security income work harder for your retirement goals and head into 2027 feeling more prepared.

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