What changes are coming to Social Security in 2022?

In 2022, the biggest change for Social Security was a substantial 5.9% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for beneficiaries, the largest in decades, to combat rising inflation, alongside an increased maximum taxable earnings limit for Social Security taxes and changes to disability application reviews. The COLA led to higher average monthly benefits, and the taxable maximum for Social Security rose to $147,000, impacting high earners.

What are the big changes coming to Social Security?

The earnings limit for workers who are younger than full retirement age (see Full Retirement Age Chart) will increase to $24,480. (We deduct $1 from benefits for each $2 earned over $24,480.) The earnings limit for people reaching their full retirement age in 2026 will increase to $65,160.

How much is my Social Security going to increase in 2025?

Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1 percent. The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025. Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026.

What are the changes to watch for in 2025 for Social Security payments?

For 2025, Social Security beneficiaries saw a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), boosting average checks by about $50 monthly, alongside a higher earnings cap for taxes ($176,100) and adjusted limits for early retirees' earnings, while changes to WEP/GPO were enacted later, affecting many with non-covered pensions. Key things to watch include how these adjustments affect your budget and potential future COLA announcements, with a significant 2.8% COLA coming in January 2026. 

What are the changes in Social Security in 2026?

The 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is 2.8%. This is the increase all Social Security beneficiaries, including disabled and spousal beneficiaries, will receive, beginning with their January check. This is expected to raise the average monthly benefit from $2,015 to $2,071 -- a $56 increase.

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Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 

What is happening on March 31, 2025 with Social Security?

At the conclusion of the transition period, on March 31, 2025, SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency's online “my Social Security” services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone.

How much is COLA for 2026 Social Security increase?

The official Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is 2.8%, announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in October 2025, leading to an average increase of about $56 per month for retirees starting January 2026, affecting 75 million beneficiaries**. This rate, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W) from Q3 2024 to Q3 2025, provides a boost from the prior year but is lower than the pandemic-era highs, with some recipients still feeling the pinch from rising costs. 

How to get $3000 a month in Social Security?

To get $3,000 a month from Social Security, you generally need a high lifetime income, averaging around $9,000+ monthly over your best 35 years, and ideally wait until at least your full retirement age (FRA), or even age 70, for maximum benefits, as claiming early reduces payments significantly; increasing high-earning years by working longer or in higher-paying jobs are the main strategies to reach this goal. 

Will Medicare premiums change in 2025?

These amounts are set according to formulas in the Medicare law and depend on historical and projected health care costs. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $202.90 a month for 2026, an increase of $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025.

What is the highest Social Security check anyone can get?

The maximum Social Security benefit varies by retirement age, with the highest possible monthly amount in 2026 being around $5,181 if you wait until age 70, while claiming at Full Retirement Age (FRA) yields about $4,152, and claiming at age 62 results in approximately $2,969. To get the maximum, you must have earned the taxable maximum for at least 35 years, had significant earnings above the annual wage base ($184,500 in 2026), and delayed claiming benefits past your FRA. 

Why will some Social Security recipients get two checks in December?

Some Social Security recipients, specifically those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), got two checks in December 2025 because January 1st, New Year's Day, is a federal holiday, causing the January 2026 payment to be moved up to December 31st, resulting in December's payment (Dec 1st) and January's payment (Dec 31st) both landing in December. This is a standard Social Security Administration (SSA) practice for SSI payments, not a bonus, ensuring funds are available before holidays or weekends. 

How many people have $500,000 in their retirement account?

While exact numbers vary by source and year, recent data suggests around 7-9% of American households have $500,000 or more in retirement savings, though many more have significant savings in the $100k-$500k range, with a large portion of the population having much less, highlighting a big gap between the average (which is higher due to wealthy individuals) and the median (typical) saver. 

Are seniors receiving extra money in 2025?

Yes, seniors are receiving extra money in 2025, primarily through a 2.8% Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for benefits starting January 2026 (based on late 2025 announcements) and a new, temporary $6,000 senior tax deduction (for 2025-2028 tax years) on federal returns, providing significant tax savings. The Social Security increase averages around $56 monthly, while the tax deduction adds to existing senior standard deductions, potentially reducing taxable income substantially. 

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

What is the new law on Social Security?

The most significant recent Social Security law is the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), signed January 5, 2025, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) to restore full benefits for public employees (like teachers, firefighters) with non-covered pensions who also earned Social Security. Effective for benefits after December 2023, it's a big win for millions, though SSA processing of retroactive payments could take time, with payments expected through March 2026.
 

Why are Americans getting a $4800 check today?

Americans are set to receive a Social Security check worth up to $4,800 today, but not all seniors are happy about the increase in monthly payments. Social Security benefits grew by 3.2 percent this year, in accordance with this year's calculated cost of living adjustment (COLA).

What to do when Social Security is not enough to live on?

When Social Security isn't enough, supplement your income by exploring other government programs like SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid, working part-time, using retirement savings (401k, IRA), considering annuities for guaranteed income, delaying benefits to increase payments, and seeking help from non-profits like the National Council on Aging (NCOA) BenefitsCheckUp tool. 

How much does the average retired person live on per month?

The average retired person in the U.S. spends around $5,000 to $5,400 per month, with housing, healthcare, and food as the biggest costs, though figures vary by source. While the average monthly income for retirees over 65 is about $4,700-$5,000, the median (a better reflection for many) is closer to $3,900-$4,700, with couples often spending more. Actual expenses depend heavily on lifestyle, location, and healthcare needs. 

Are seniors on Social Security getting a raise in 2025?

Yes, Social Security recipients received a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, effective January 2025, increasing average benefits by about $48 monthly; this was announced in late 2024, with the next COLA for 2026 announced in October 2025. The 2025 increase followed a larger boost in 2024, reflecting lower inflation, and notifications for the 2025 raise were sent out in late 2024. 

Are Social Security checks worth a maximum of $5108?

Maximum benefits will rise by more than $1,700 a year

Alongside the COLA boost, the maximum benefit an individual can receive is also increasing. It will climb from $5,108 per month this year to $5,251 each month in 2026.

What happens if Social Security runs out?

If Social Security's trust funds run out (projected around 2032-2034), benefits won't stop entirely but would be cut significantly to about 80% of scheduled amounts, as incoming payroll taxes would only cover that portion. This shortfall could dramatically increase poverty, especially for vulnerable groups, prompting Congress to act by raising taxes, cutting benefits, increasing retirement age, or a combination of these. 

What are the two big changes coming to Social Security?

COLA increase, higher Medicare costs and a new tax break will affect beneficiaries' bottom lines in the year to come. From the highly anticipated cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to a less-welcome hike in Medicare premiums, Social Security beneficiaries will see several big changes in 2026.

Is it better to start Social Security in December or January?

Starting Social Security in January is generally better than December because you'll receive an extra month of benefits and potentially benefit from the new year's Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), plus it allows you to capture more Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs) if you're waiting past Full Retirement Age (FRA). Waiting until January locks in a full month of credit and ensures you get the latest COLA before potentially working into the new year, maximizing your benefit, notes MassMutual and Rand Financial Planning. 

What did Congress just pass regarding Social Security?

What is the Social Security Fairness Act (Act) and who does it help? The Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025. The Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).