In 2025, Social Security Checks Increase by $48: If inflation slows down, Social Security beneficiaries will likely see a boost in their cost of living. As of right now, projections indicate that Social Security benefits may see a 2.5% so-called COLA increase in 2025. If true, it would be the least amount of cost-of-living growth over the preceding three years.
The COLA increased by 3.2% in 2024. The upcoming COLA figure will be computed by comparing this year’s third-quarter inflation data with last year’s. The Social Security Administration releases the real cost-of-living adjustment amount in October each year, following the release of new inflation data.
Social Security Checks Increase by $48 in 2025
- On October 10, 2024, the CPI for the month of September is anticipated to be revealed.
- If you receive Social Security payments, you should anticipate an increase in your monthly income at the start of 2025.
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) is now finalizing the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is based on inflation patterns and is determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
Average Pay Expected by 2025
- An annual COLA adjustment assists recipients of Social Security in keeping pace with inflation.
- The calculation is based on the average increase in the CPI-W from the third quarter of the previous year to the same period in the current year.
- In 2024, the CPI-W grew by 2.9% in July and 2.4% in August, indicating a tendency toward moderate inflation. While September’s numbers are still pending, experts predict a COLA of 2.5% to 2.6% for 2025 a decrease from the 3.2% increase predicted for 2024.
- The trend toward lower inflation may result in reduced benefit increases for retirees, survivors, and recipients of disability insurance.
Social Security Payments
You can better appreciate the implications of these facts for your Social Security payments by reviewing this summary of the anticipated increases for various recipient classifications:
- The average monthly benefit that a retired worker got in August 2024 was almost $1,920. With a 2.5% COLA in 2025, that may increase by almost $48 and result in a monthly payment of roughly $1,968.
- The monthly amount for couples receiving benefits jointly may increase by $96 to approximately $3,937 from $3,840.
- The average benefit for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients may increase by approximately $38.50, from $1,540 to $1,578.
- A widow or widower who qualifies for survivor benefits should expect a rise from $45 from $1,784 to around $1,829 per month.
While these figures are a good estimate, keep in mind that specific benefits may vary greatly based on your particular situation and the final COLA percentage. Once the SSA distributes the official COLA, you can calculate your new monthly benefit by adding the percentage increase to your current payment. If you would prefer to wait for formal confirmation, you can check your amended benefits through your my Social Security account. The Social Security Administration will send personalized reminders in December.
