Recent news from the Social Security Administration says that retirees can now officially expect their checks to go up.
So, on December 31, the first people to get the new increase from the cost of living adjustment will be retirees who also get Supplemental Security income.
The SSA usually sends out SSI benefits on the first of every month, but since January 1st is a holiday, they move the payment to the business day before, which is Tuesday, December 31st.
Find out more about the dates and requirements you need to meet in order to get these federal benefits if you are currently eligible.
Social Security has announced the increase in retiree paychecks before the year ends
As soon as the first increase in retiree paychecks is sent by the Social Security Administration, those who claimed their first check before May 1997 will be the next group to get the COLA increase.
According to the Social Security payment schedule, these people will get their first payment on the third of each month. They will then get three more payments on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
This is because the official schedule can be hard to understand at times. Here are the most important payment dates for you to write down on your calendar.
| Retiree paychecks plus survivors, disabled, and SSI benefits | Monthly benefits (2025) | Criteria to deliver monthly benefits |
| Retired workers, disabled people and survivors (before May 1997) | January 3rd (Friday) | Only those who applied for Social Security before this date are eligible to receive payments. |
| Retired workers, disabled people and survivors (after May 1997) | January 8th (Wednesday) January 12th (Wednesday) January 22nd (Wednesday) |
Day of birth: 1st–10th.
Day of birth: 11th–20th. Day of birth: 21st–31st. |
It is important to note that you should wait at least three mailing days before calling SSA’s customer service if your retiree paycheck or any other Social Security payment does not arrive on time.
Also, remember that you can use your “My Social Security Account” to keep track of your payments, get your financial documents, ask for a new Social Security card, or even get help with other US Social Security issues.
How much money will beneficiaries receive due to the COLA increase for 2025?
The new cost of living adjustment (COLA), which was set at 2.5% on October 10, 2018, will add this extra amount to all Social Security payments every year starting in January 2025.
This includes checks for retirees. The annual increase is less than the 3.4% increase from 2024, but recipients will still get an increase to keep up with inflation and pay for their daily living costs.
Here are the changes to each Social Security payment amount that will happen in 2025.
| Retiree paychecks | Social Security checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
| On average | $1,900 | $1,948 | $48 |
| Age 62 | $2,710 | $2,778 | $68 |
| Age 67 | $3,822 | $3,918 | $96 |
| Age 70 | $4,873 | $4,995 | $122 |
| Survivor benefits | Social Security checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
| On average | $1,505 | $1,543 | $38 |
| Individual | $1,773 | $1,817 | $44 |
| 2 Children | $3,653 | $3,744 | $91 |
| Disability benefits | Social Security checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
| On average | $1,537 | $1,575 | $38 |
| Blind recipients | $2,590 | $2,655 | $65 |
| Maximum payment | $3,822 | $3,918 | $96 |
| SSI benefits | Social Security checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
| On average | $698 | $715 | $17 |
| Individuals | $943 | $967 | $24 |
| Couples | $1,415 | $1,450 | $35 |
| Essential person | $472 | $484 | $12 |
Important changes from Social Security that beneficiaries should know about
The Social Security Administration is going to make a lot of changes in the next year to make things better for people who get Social Security. Here is a list of the most important changes that will happen in 2025:
- The maximum Social Security benefit in 2025 is $4,018.
- The maximum Social Security benefit for 2025, which includes delayed retirement credits, is $5,108.
- 2025 COLA-2.5%
- The maximum taxable salary is $176,100.
- Maximum quarter coverage is $1,810.
- Annual earning limit: $23,400.
- The monthly earnings maximum is $1,950.
- The annual earnings limit at full retirement age is $62,160, while the monthly earnings restriction is $5,180.
