Here's How Much the 3.6% 2027 Social Security COLA Will Add to the Average Retirement and Spousal Benefits

Social Security beneficiaries are just a few weeks away from a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). It's an above-average increase that should help ease the burden of high inflation seniors have been facing all year.

But the exact increase you'll get depends a lot on the size of your checks now. Here's a closer look at how the 2027 COLA will affect the average retirement and spousal Social Security benefits.

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The average retirement benefit will increase by $75 in 2027

The average Social Security beneficiary receiving a retirement check gets about $2,089 per month as of September 2026. That gives them a little over $25,000 per year.

The 3.6% COLA, set to take effect with the December 2026 payment, which goes out in January 2027, will add roughly $75 to this average benefit, bringing it to around $2,164 per month. That will increase the average annual benefit to just under $26,000.

Spousal benefits are lower on average -- just $987 per month as of September 2026. The average increase in these checks will be smaller because COLA is a percentage. The typical spousal beneficiary will get just $35 more per month next year. But this will be enough to help their average benefits cross the four-figure mark for the first time.

Some people will get more or less than this, depending on how their current Social Security checks stack up to the average. You can estimate how much your checks will increase by adding 3.6% to your existing benefit. You should also receive a personalized COLA notice from the Social Security Administration in early December, giving your exact benefit amount.

What to do if the 2027 COLA doesn't go as far as you expected

Once you have an idea of how much your checks will be worth next year, subtract this from your average monthly expenses to figure out how much you'll need to cover on your own. Then, come up with a plan to pay for the rest.

Personal savings are your best option if they're available to you. If not, you might have to consider a job or applying for other government benefits. It's best to get this process started as soon as possible if you expect to rely on these other benefits next year. It can take time to get approved.

After a month or two with your new Social Security checks, revisit your budget to see how it's working. Make adjustments as needed to see you through the rest of 2027.

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