February 26 is when most people see the 2025 COLA increase in their Social Security check

The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025 takes effect on February 26, 2025. This is the date when Social Security Administration (SSA) deposits the increased payment amount into most beneficiaries' accounts. The exact amount you receive depends on your benefit type and when you were born — not everyone gets paid on the same day of the month.

The 2025 COLA is 2.7 percent. This means your February 26 payment will be roughly 2.7 percent higher than your January payment. The SSA announced this percentage in October 2024, so you may have already seen the new amount in your benefit statement or online account.

If you do not see the increase on February 26, check your payment schedule first. Some beneficiaries are paid on the 3rd, 4th, or 5th Wednesday of each month depending on their birth date. If your regular payment date falls after February 26, you will receive the COLA increase on your next scheduled payment date instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 COLA increase of 2.7 percent takes effect February 26, 2025, for most beneficiaries paid on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
  • Your payment schedule depends on your birth date, so some people receive the increase on a different date in late February or early March.
  • You can check your exact payment date by logging into your my Social Security account or calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
  • The COLA increase is automatic — you do not need to do anything to receive it.

How payment dates work for COLA increases

Social Security splits beneficiaries into three payment groups based on birth date. Group 1 (born the 1st through 10th) is paid on the 2nd Wednesday. Group 2 (born the 11th through 20th) is paid on the 3rd Wednesday. Group 3 (born the 21st through 31st) is paid on the 4th Wednesday. February 26, 2025, is the 4th Wednesday of the month, so Group 3 beneficiaries receive their COLA increase that day.

Group 1 and Group 2 beneficiaries will see their increase on February 12 and February 19, respectively. If you are unsure which group you belong to, log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your payment date.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries are paid on the 1st of each month. The 2025 COLA increase for SSI takes effect March 1, 2025, not February 26.

What the 2.7 percent increase means for your budget

The dollar amount of your COLA increase depends on your current benefit. Someone receiving $1,500 per month will see an increase of about $40.50. Someone receiving $2,000 per month will see an increase of about $54. These are rough estimates — your exact increase appears in your benefit statement.

COLA increases are meant to help beneficiaries keep up with inflation. The SSA calculates the percentage each year based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the previous year. The 2025 COLA of 2.7 percent reflects inflation measured between July and September 2024.

If you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, your SSI payment may not increase by the full COLA amount. SSI has income limits, and the COLA increase to your Social Security may reduce your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar above a certain threshold. Contact the SSA if you receive both benefits and want to understand how the increase affects your total payment.

How to verify your payment before February 26

The easiest way to confirm your new payment amount is to log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will see your payment history and your next scheduled payment amount. If you do not have an online account, you can create one using your email address and Social Security number.

You can also call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to speak with a representative. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning on weekdays. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.

If you receive your payment by direct deposit, the money will appear in your bank account on your scheduled payment date. If you receive a paper check, allow extra time for mail delivery. Some people still receive checks instead of direct deposit; if this applies to you, consider switching to direct deposit to receive your payment faster and more reliably.

What happens if you do not see the increase

If your payment on February 26 (or your scheduled payment date) does not reflect the 2.7 percent increase, first check that you are looking at the correct payment. Some people receive multiple payments or have payments from different programs, which can be confusing.

If you confirm the amount is wrong, contact the SSA within 30 days. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID. The SSA can review your account and correct any errors. Do not assume the payment will fix itself — contact them directly if something looks wrong.

Certain beneficiaries may not receive the full COLA increase. If you are subject to the Government Pension Offset or Windfall Elimination Provision (rules that reduce benefits for people who also receive government pensions), your COLA increase may be smaller or zero. The SSA will have already factored this into your payment, but you can ask for an explanation if you want to understand why your increase differs from the standard 2.7 percent.

Planning ahead after the COLA increase takes effect

The COLA increase is permanent — it becomes your new baseline payment going forward. This means your March payment will also be at the higher amount, not just February. If you budget based on your Social Security payment, update your numbers to reflect the new amount.

If you are still working and receiving Social Security before full retirement age, remember that the SSA reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual earnings limit. The 2025 earnings limit is $23,400. The COLA increase does not change this rule, but your higher payment means you have a slightly larger cushion before reductions kick in.

If you have questions about how the COLA increase affects your specific situation — such as Medicare premiums, SSI limits, or taxes on your benefits — the SSA can provide personalized information. You can also visit ssa.gov for detailed resources about COLA and how it works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Medicare premium go down because of the COLA increase?

Medicare Part B premiums are held harmless for most beneficiaries, meaning your premium cannot increase more than your COLA increase. However, your premium may stay the same or increase slightly depending on your circumstances. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sets Part B premiums annually, and the 2025 premium is $174.70 per month for most people.

Do I need to report the COLA increase to anyone?

No. The COLA increase is automatic and does not require any action on your part. You do not need to report it to the SSA, your bank, or any other agency. If you receive means-tested benefits like Medicaid or SNAP, check with those programs separately — they may have their own rules about reporting income changes.

What if I was not receiving Social Security in October 2024 when the COLA was announced?

If you started receiving Social Security after the COLA announcement, your first payment will already include the 2.7 percent increase. You do not receive a separate retroactive adjustment. The COLA applies to all beneficiaries receiving payments in the month it takes effect, regardless of when they started.

Can I get the COLA increase as a lump sum instead of monthly payments?

No. The COLA increase is built into your monthly payment amount and cannot be paid as a lump sum. Your payment will be 2.7 percent higher each month going forward.

Does the COLA increase affect my taxes on Social Security benefits?

The COLA increase may affect how much of your Social Security is taxable, depending on your total income. If your combined income (adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus half your Social Security) crosses certain thresholds, more of your benefit becomes subject to federal income tax. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure how the increase affects your tax situation.