COLA 2025: Potential First Social Security Increase in 30 Years – All you Need to Know

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will not announce the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) increase for the year 2025 until October of this year. However, as per the early estimations in the earlier quarters of 2024, it is expected that the social security beneficiaries can expect a 2.7% rise in their monthly income as per the COLA increase 2025. The COLA increase is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which is responsible to examine inflation for urban wage earners and clerical workers. In this post, I will cover the necessary attributes regarding the COLA 2025 increase, how it can impact the social security pension and its beneficiaries along with the expected pension amount if 2.7% increase is implemented by the department. Read the full post, so that you cannot miss any updates.

COLA 2025 and Social Security Increase

The SSA is responsible to provide social security pension to the eligible citizens of the country who have contributed to the social security during their employment years. These pensions are distributed under a number of monetary support programs. For instance, Supplemental Social Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veteran’s Affairs (VA) benefits. Under these financial support programs, the SSA intends to provide a monthly aid to the retired seniors who does not have a stable income, unemployed citizens with the cause being a temporary or long-term disability and the survivors in case of the death of head of the household. These monthly payment amounts depend on how much and for how long a person has contributed to the social security. For that, the SSA has set certain guidelines which must be qualified by an applicant in order to claim the aid.

As the cost of living and the inflation rise in the country, SSA revise the payments on an annual basis in order to keep up with the inflation and high living expenses. The SSA believes that if the living expenses rise in the country, so should the monthly pension. As of 2024, the COLA is increased by 3.2% which is the lowest in last three years as compared to 2022 and 2023 with COLA increase of 5.9% and 8.7% respectively. Since we are in the second half of 2024, early estimations for the COLA increase for year 2025 are speculating on certain web portals and social media platforms. However, the SSA will not announce the COLA increase for 2025 until October of 2024. The social security beneficiaries are advised that COLA increase will not be implemented any time soon and the SSA and the federal government will impose the COLA on January 1, 2025.

Wells Fargo Class Action 2024: Lawsuit Settlement Payment Dates

Social Security Payments August 2024

COLA Increase for 2025 Brief Overview

Post title COLA Increase for 2025 and Social Security Increase
Country The USA
Concerned department Social Security Administration
Category News
Applicability Social security beneficiaries in the US
COLA measure As per Consumer Price Index
For Year 2025
Official website www.ssa.gov

COLA 2025: Potential First Social Security Increase in 30 Years - All you Need to Know

Eligibility for Social Security Increase as per COLA 2025

The COLA increase will be implemented by the SSA on January 1, 2025; hence, you must be aware of the eligibility requirements which must be qualified in order to be eligible for the social security increase. I have provided the eligibility criteria in the following points:

  • You must be a citizen and permanent resident of the United States of America.
  • You must be receiving SSI, SSDI or VA benefits.
  • You must have a Social Security Number (SSN).
  • As per the age requirement, you must be at least 62 years old or above.
  • You must have at least 40 work credits in order to be eligible for the social security increase.
  • Your income must not exceed the threshold income.
  • You will be required to show a disability proof which must be signed by a professional healthcare staff if you have any disability.

COLA 2025: Early Expectations for the Increase

As you all know, the SSA is know to make social security pension adjustments as per the annual basis based on the COLA increase, as measured by the CPI for urban wage earners and clerical workers. As of July 2024, the inflation rate dropped as compared to previous years and the social security beneficiaries can expect a low increase in COLA, the following year.

As per the latest forecast, it is expected that the COLA will increase by 2.7% in 2025 which is slightly increased from the last forecast; which was 2.57%. Though, it’s just an early speculation and you are advised to wait for the official announcement to arrive via SSA. If this increase is implemented next year, the social security beneficiaries can expect slight increase in their monthly pensions.

COLA 2025: Impact on the Social Security Beneficiaries

Since the COLA increase is implemented in the beginning of each year, it does not account for any rise in the inflation and the cost of living for the rest of the year. Thus, the beneficiaries can face numerous financial troubles while managing their daily expenses, since there are no clarifications when does price increase take place. However, as per the latest forecast, if 2.7% COLA increase is implemented in 2025, the social security pension will be revised.

As of 2024, if you are filing as an eligible individual, then you are entitled to receive a monthly check of $943 while a married couple who are receiving a joint claim are receiving a monthly payment of $1,415. In addition to it, the citizens with a disability are also eligible to receive a monthly check of $1,537. You can check the revised payment amount as per the 2.7% COLA increase in 2024 as mentioned in the following table:

Category Current payment If 2.7% COLA implemented
Eligible individual $943 $968.5
Married couple $1,415 $1,440.5
Disabled citizen $1,537 $1,562.5

For more information & updates you can also visit the official website of the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Home Page Click Here

Leave a Comment