Will everyone on Social Security get a COLA check?

Yes, virtually everyone on Social Security (retirees, survivors, and those receiving disability) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) gets the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase, which for 2026 is 2.8%, to help benefits keep pace with inflation, though some benefit amounts are adjusted differently. This increase applies to nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries and 7.5 million SSI recipients, starting in January 2026 (December 31, 2025, for SSI).

Does everyone get the Social Security COLA increase?

Yes, everyone on Social Security (retirees, disabled, survivors, SSI recipients) gets the same percentage Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), but the final dollar amount varies because it's a percentage of your individual benefit, and Medicare Part B premiums can reduce the net increase. While the rate is universal, deductions for Part B premiums, especially higher "income-related" ones, mean some people see less in their actual paycheck than others. 

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.
 

How much is the COLA increase in 2025 for Social Security recipients?

The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million SSI recipients will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.)

Is everyone on Social Security going to get a raise?

Yes, nearly everyone on Social Security is getting a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) raise for 2026, which began with SSI payments in late December 2025 and Social Security checks in January 2026, increasing the average monthly benefit by about $56 for most beneficiaries. This standard COLA applies to retirees, disabled individuals, survivors, and SSI recipients, though some may see higher benefits due to new legislation like a potential tax deduction for seniors. 

Social Security Beneficiaries Are Shocked by Their January Check Amounts!

Will Social Security recipients receive a raise in 2026?

Yes, Social Security recipients will get a raise in 2026, with benefits increasing by 2.8% due to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), starting with January 2026 payments, which adds about $56 to the average retired worker's monthly benefit but will be partially offset by higher Medicare Part B premiums. 

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 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. 

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. 

Is Social Security getting a $200 a month raise?

No, a $200/month Social Security raise isn't official yet, but Senate Democrats proposed the "Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act" in late 2025 to add $200 monthly to benefits through July 2026, on top of the standard 2.8% COLA, due to rising costs not fully covered by the normal adjustment. This proposed bill, supported by figures like Elizabeth Warren, Mark Kelly, and Chuck Schumer, aims to provide temporary relief for seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals facing higher prices for necessities like food and healthcare. 

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. 

Why did I get an extra Social Security check this month?

You likely received an extra Social Security payment due to a calendar quirk (two SSI checks in one month because the first fell on a weekend/holiday), a retroactive payment for past underpayments (like due to WEP/GPO changes), a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) adjustment, or correcting a previous error, but you must contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to know for sure, as it could also be an overpayment notice in disguise. Check for official SSA letters and your online account for explanations, as reporting changes (income, living situation) or processing delays are common reasons for adjustments. 

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. 

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. 

Who is eligible for the COLA?

"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 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. 

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).

Who is getting two Social Security checks?

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. 

Has the 2026 cola been announced?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2026 will be 2.8 percent.

Are retirees on Social Security getting a stimulus check?

You can typically get monthly Retirement benefits starting at age 62 if you've worked and paid Social Security taxes for 10 years or more. In most cases, you can apply while still working.

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.

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. 

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.

Are people on Social Security getting any extra money?

No, there isn't a universal "extra check" for all Social Security recipients, but some groups are getting larger payments due to a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, retroactive payments for Windfall Elimination/Government Pension Offset issues, or state-specific supplements, with some seeing two checks in December 2025 due to the calendar. The main change is the annual COLA increasing benefits by about $56 monthly starting January 2026, plus potential back pay for certain public retirees and state-funded SSI boosts.