The 2025 Social Security COLA Increase is here: Here’s when to expect your boosted check
The Social Security COLA Increase for 2025 has officially gone into effect and recipients can expect a cash boost in their monthly payments. Starting this month, a 2.5% increase will be reflected in Social Security (Retirement and Survivors) checks. Social security for disability and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will also see an increase in their monthly payments.
The Social Security Administration makes an annual cost-of-living adjustment to combat inflation, resulting in a larger check for those receiving Social Security. COLA is based on the percentage increase of Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Workers and Clerks from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year.
Below, we’ll outline what amount you can expect to see added to your Social Security check for 2025 going forward. For more you can dive further with Social security, Social security for disability and Supplemental Security Income payment schedules.
How much will my Social Security payment be with the 2025 COLA increase?
The COLA increase raises Social Security payments by 2.5%. The Social Security Administration says that would increase average monthly payments by about $48. Here are the new average payments for 2025. based on recipient groups.
Social Security COLA Increase 2025
| Category | Average monthly increase | Average amount for 2025 checks |
|---|---|---|
| pensioner | $49 | 1976 dollars |
| Disabled worker | $38 | 1580 dollars |
| Elderly couple, both on benefits | $75 | 3089 dollars |
| a widow | $44 | 1832 dollars |
| A widow with two children | $92 | 3761 dollars |
When will I see a COLA increase in my Social Security check?
From January 2025 you’ll notice the COLA increase on your monthly checks. Checks are paid on a scheduled Wednesday each month, so when you get your first boosted check depends on your date of birth and when you started receiving Social Security.
- If your birthday is between the first and tenth of the month, your payment will be sent on the second Wednesday of January 2025.
- If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th of the month, your payment will be sent on the third Wednesday of January 2025.
- If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st of the month, your payment will be sent on the fourth Wednesday of January 2025.
Payments for Supplemental Security Income recipients usually arrive on the first of each month unless it is a holiday or weekend, so these payments arrived in December 2025. If you received Social Security benefits before May 1997, your payment should have arrived on January 3, 2025.
For more details see this Girl’s social security sheet which tells you how your benefits work.
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