Who is eligible for COLA checks?

"COLA" (Cost of Living Adjustment) goes to millions of people receiving Social Security, including retirees, people with disabilities, survivors, and SSI recipients, to help their benefits keep pace with inflation, and can also be offered by some employers or unions to employees or retirees. The Social Security Administration (SSA) automatically applies it to federal benefits, while employer-specific COLAs vary.

Who is eligible for a COLA payment?

The COLA is applied to survivor benefits, family benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as well as retirement benefits, and to SSI, a monthly benefit administered by the SSA for people with low incomes and limited assets who are 65 or older, blind or have a disability.

Do all Social Security recipients get a COLA check?

Yes, all Social Security beneficiaries automatically get the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which includes retirees, people receiving disability (SSDI), survivors, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, but the net amount you see can differ due to Medicare Part B premium deductions, which are taken directly from benefits. The COLA is a percentage increase applied to everyone, designed to offset inflation and maintain purchasing power for the nearly 71 million Americans receiving these benefits.
 

Does everyone get a cost-of-living raise?

No, not everyone gets a cost-of-living raise (COLA); it's generally discretionary for private employers, though common for government/union workers and Social Security recipients, with many private companies offering them for retention, but some skipping them for performance-based or other reasons, making it dependent on employer policy or contract. 

How much will the COLA increase for 2025 Social Security recipients?

The dollar amount increase to checks will vary depending on a person's benefit amount, but the average Social Security Retirement benefit, $2,008.31 in July 2025, will grow by about $56.

Social Security Beneficiaries Are Shocked by Their January Check Amounts!

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. 

Are seniors getting a raise in 2026?

Yes, seniors are getting a raise in 2026, with Social Security and SSI benefits increasing by 2.8% due to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This means the average retired worker's monthly check will rise by about $56, but higher Medicare premiums and taxes could reduce the net amount, so it's important to check individual payment details. 

Who is eligible for cost-of-living adjustment?

Most retirees are eligible for COLA starting at the age of 62 under one of these federal retirement programs: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) FERS Special. Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)

How much is COLA for 2025?

For 2025, the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is 2.5%, resulting in average benefit increases of about $49 monthly for retirees, though specific amounts vary by individual benefit, with increased payments starting in January 2025. 

Will people on Social Security get a cost-of-living raise?

Roughly 75 million Americans will receive a 2.8% boost to their income in 2026, thanks to the upcoming cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

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 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. 

Does COLA apply to estimated Social Security benefits?

Before you turn 62, COLA doesn't affect your Social Security benefits, so there's no need to stress about it yet. However, as you get closer to what Social Security calls your “full retirement age” (usually around 67), it's smart to start paying more attention to how COLA might affect your future benefits.

Does everyone receiving Social Security get COLA?

Yes, all Social Security beneficiaries automatically get the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which includes retirees, people receiving disability (SSDI), survivors, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, but the net amount you see can differ due to Medicare Part B premium deductions, which are taken directly from benefits. The COLA is a percentage increase applied to everyone, designed to offset inflation and maintain purchasing power for the nearly 71 million Americans receiving these benefits.
 

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).

When can I expect a raise in my Social Security check?

Social Security recipients received their latest raise, a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), starting with January 2026 payments, which began arriving in late December 2025 and January 2026, increasing average benefits by about $56 monthly after factoring in higher Medicare premiums. The annual COLA is announced in October by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and takes effect the following January, with the next increase for 2027 to be announced in October 2026. 

What's the raise for Social Security for 2026?

The Social Security increase for 2026 is a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in late 2025, adding about $56 monthly to the average retired worker's benefit, bringing it to approximately $2,071, with payments starting in January 2026 for most recipients. This adjustment helps keep benefits in line with inflation, but higher Medicare Part B premiums will also take effect, affecting the net increase for many beneficiaries.
 

Will seniors get a cola in 2025?

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. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025.

Are seniors going to get a raise in Social Security 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. 

Who qualifies for COLA payments?

"COLA" (Cost of Living Adjustment) goes to millions of people receiving Social Security, including retirees, people with disabilities, survivors, and SSI recipients, to help their benefits keep pace with inflation, and can also be offered by some employers or unions to employees or retirees. The Social Security Administration (SSA) automatically applies it to federal benefits, while employer-specific COLAs vary.
 

What is the average Social Security payment?

As of early 2026, the average Social Security retirement benefit is around $2,071 per month, a figure that changes slightly each month, with retirees typically receiving more than other beneficiary groups like survivors or those receiving disability, with averages varying by age and claiming time. 

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. 

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. 

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.