What date is the 2nd cost of living payment?

There isn't a single "2nd cost of living payment" date in early 2026; instead, you might receive an early January 2026 payment on December 31, 2025, if you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to the New Year's holiday, which includes the 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Regular Social Security payments with the COLA start in January 2026, but specific dates depend on your birthdate.

Will there be a cost-of-living increase in Social Security payments in 2025?

Yes, there was a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security in 2025, announced in October 2024, which provided a 2.5% increase to benefits starting in January 2025, with average retirees seeing about a $50-$56 monthly boost to help offset rising costs, as detailed in this Social Security Administration (.gov) fact sheet. 

What is the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security?

The 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security is 2.8%, effective for benefits paid in January 2026, increasing payments for over 75 million Americans to keep pace with inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). On average, retirees will see about a $56 monthly increase, with notices arriving in December 2025. 

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. 

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. 

Second Cost Of Living Payment Date Announced 📆💷

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. 

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. 

What is the highest monthly Social Security payment in 2025?

The maximum Social Security payment in 2025 depends on your retirement age: $4,018 per month for full retirement age (FRA), $2,831 for age 62, and $5,108 for age 70, requiring you to have earned the maximum taxable amount for decades and claim at the optimal age. These figures reflect high earners who consistently hit the Social Security wage base, with the biggest checks going to those who wait until age 70 to claim benefits. 

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. 

How much is the cola amount for 2025?

The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security was 2.5%, announced in October 2024, increasing payments for beneficiaries starting January 2025; this resulted in an average monthly benefit increase of about $50, with the maximum SSI for an individual rising from $943 to $967, though some beneficiaries felt it wasn't enough to keep up with rising costs. 

Can you get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

Yes, getting $3,000 a month from Social Security is possible, especially by waiting until age 70 to claim benefits and having consistently high earnings, though it's near the maximum for many, requiring strong earnings over 35 years to hit that amount, as shown in U.S. News Money articles, Social Security Administration FAQs, Experian and other sources. 

What is the new Social Security increase?

KEY TAKEAWAYS. Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 2.8% increase in their payments next year, and a new tax deduction will lower the tax burden for many seniors.

What is the cost-of-living increase for 2025 to 2026?

For 2026, the official Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and SSI benefits is 2.8%, effective January 2026, an increase from the 2025 COLA of 2.5%. This 2.8% boost means average Social Security retirees get about $56 more monthly, while maximum benefits rise to $4,152. The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), protecting beneficiaries' purchasing power against inflation. 

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. 

Are seniors getting more money in 2025?

Yes, seniors are getting extra money in 2025 through a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security starting January 2025, meaning about a $49 average monthly increase, plus potentially a new $6,000 tax deduction for seniors aged 65+ on their 2025 tax returns, depending on income. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also increased, and new tax breaks offer significant savings, but rising Medicare premiums will offset some gains. 

Is there going to be another stimulus check for senior citizens?

Since November 2023, false rumors have spread online about a fourth stimulus check for seniors. There currently is no new stimulus check on the way; the IRS is only issuing payments to people who did not receive the full amount they were eligible for with previous stimulus checks.

Who will get two checks from Social Security?

People who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), especially those also on regular Social Security or who started before May 1997, get two checks in certain months like December 2025 because the next month's payment (Jan 1st) falls on a holiday, so it's paid early on December 31st, creating a double payment for SSI recipients that month, not extra money. Regular Social Security recipients generally get one check based on their birth date, but can receive two checks if they are "dually entitled" (getting their own plus a spouse's/family benefit) and the combined amount is paid out differently. 

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. 

Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare Part B?

Costs for Part B (Medical Insurance)

$185 each month ($202.90 in 2026) (or higher depending on your income). The amount can change each year. You'll pay the premium each month, even if you don't get any Part B-covered services.

How do you get extra money added to your Social Security check?

Additional work will increase your retirement benefits. Each year you work will replace a zero or low earnings year in your Social Security benefit calculation, which could help to increase your benefit amount.

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).

Are we getting extra money on Social Security?

Yes, Social Security is giving extra money through its annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), with a 2.8% increase for 2026, meaning benefits rise to keep pace with inflation, boosting average retirement checks by about $56 monthly starting January 2026, plus potential retroactive payments for some with specific pension offsets ending. 

Who is eligible for dual Social Security benefits?

People who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) sometimes get two checks in one month because payments due on weekends or holidays are sent early, leading to a "double month" with the next month's payment arriving ahead of time, like in December for January, or a "skipped month" with September's payment arriving in August. Some people get three payments in a month if they receive both SSI and traditional Social Security (SSDI), as their SSDI date might also fall in that early deposit month. 

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 much is the COLA amount for 2025?

The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security was 2.5%, announced in October 2024, increasing payments for beneficiaries starting January 2025; this resulted in an average monthly benefit increase of about $50, with the maximum SSI for an individual rising from $943 to $967, though some beneficiaries felt it wasn't enough to keep up with rising costs.