Will there be another cost of living payment?

No, the UK's one-off Cost of Living Payment scheme ended, with the final payment in February 2024, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has no plans for more. However, other support exists, like the Household Support Fund, and in the US, Social Security benefits receive an annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) (2.8% for 2026).

Is there going to be a cost-of-living adjustment in 2025?

The 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible retirees, beneficiaries, and other payees with a retirement date of April 1, 2025 or earlier will be reflected in retirement benefit payments on April 30, 2025: Safety retirees and General Tier 1* retirees: 3.0%

What is the COLA for Social Security in 2026?

The first Social Security payments of 2026 are set to go out in January, reflecting a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Social Security typically pays benefits on Wednesdays.

Will there be a cost-of-living raise in 2025 for Social Security?

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. 

Is everyone getting 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. 

DWP Confirms £500 Cost of Living Payment – Full Details for January 2026 !

Is the government getting a cost-of-living increase?

General. The cost-of-living increase is 2.8 percent for monthly benefits under title II and for monthly payments under title XVI of the Act. Under title II, OASDI monthly benefits will increase by 2.8 percent for individuals eligible for December 2025 benefits, payable in January 2026 and thereafter.

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. 

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. 

Will we get a cost-of-living raise in 2026?

Yes, there is a confirmed 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2026, effective with payments starting December 31, 2025, and January 2026, increasing average benefits by about $56 monthly for retirees, though actual take-home pay depends on Medicare premium changes. The increase, calculated from the Consumer Price Index (CPI), provides extra funds for nearly 71 million beneficiaries. 

Can Social Security payments reach $4873 a month?

The maximum possible monthly Social Security benefit in 2024 is $4,873 per month. To receive the maximum, a few things must be true, and few Americans have the perfect combination. In addition to being a high earner throughout your working life, you'll need to wait until you're 70 to start collecting benefits.

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 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 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. 

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 average Social Security check in 2025?

The average Social Security check for a retired worker in 2025 hovers around $2,000 per month, with figures like $1,999.97 in April and $2,008.31 in August reported by year-end, following a modest 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). These amounts reflect the general increase, but your actual payment depends on earnings history and claiming age, with higher benefits for those waiting longer. 

What big changes are coming to Social Security in 2026?

Starting January 2026, around 75 million Americans will receive a $56 increase in monthly Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the upcoming year, a slight uptick from the 2.5% raise the year before.

Are we getting a cost-of-living increase in 2025?

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.)

Will 2026 tax refunds be higher?

2026 Tax Changes Could Mean Bigger Refunds For Millions

Refund amounts will vary widely depending on individual circumstances. The Tax Foundation estimates that the new tax breaks could raise average refunds by $300 to $1,000, potentially totaling $100 billion in refunds this season.

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. 

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. 

Is there going to be an extra Social Security payment?

Yes, Social Security is sending out special retroactive lump-sum payments for some retirees due to the Social Security Fairness Act (ending WEP/GPO), expected by March 2025, and regular benefits are increasing in 2026 due to a 2.8% COLA, plus some recipients might get two checks in a month due to calendar quirks, but there are no general "extra" stimulus checks, just adjustments and COLA increases. 

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 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.

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.