Approximately 72.5 million Social Security recipients will see a 2.5% increase in their payments for 2025 due to the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
The COLA has been implemented since 1975 and is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners.
The average monthly benefit will rise from $1,927 in 2024 to $1,975 in 2025, resulting in an additional $576 per year.
While the COLA provides necessary adjustments, some financial experts believe the increase may not suffice to meet rising living costs for retirees.
Next adjustments will be assessed in 2026, with the following COLA announcement expected in October 2025.