The 2025 COLA is 2.67%, and payments begin arriving in January

Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 is 2.67%. This means your monthly benefit will increase by that percentage starting with the January 2025 payment. The exact dollar amount of your raise depends on what you received in December 2024 — there is no flat amount everyone gets.

Payment dates follow a schedule based on your birth date, not when you filed. If you were born between the 1st and 10th of any month, you receive payments on the second Wednesday of each month. If born between the 11th and 20th, you get paid on the third Wednesday. If born between the 21st and 31st, you get paid on the fourth Wednesday. This schedule has been in place since 1997 and applies to all regular Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability payments.

The January 2025 payment reflecting the 2.67% increase will arrive on your normal payment date in January. You do not need to do anything to receive it — the increase is automatic if you are already receiving benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 COLA increase of 2.67% takes effect with your January 2025 payment, and the exact dollar amount depends on your current benefit.
  • Payment dates in 2025 follow the same schedule as previous years: second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month based on your birth date.
  • You receive your payment automatically on your assigned date — no action is required to get the COLA increase.
  • If you have not yet filed for Social Security, you can check your estimated benefit and birth-date payment schedule on your my Social Security account at ssa.gov.

How to find your specific payment date in 2025

Your payment date depends only on your birth date, not on when you started receiving benefits. The Social Security Administration publishes a payment calendar each year showing the exact date for every birth date range.

The fastest way to confirm your 2025 payment date is to log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you sign in, your payment date appears on the homepage. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email, phone number, and Social Security number.

If you prefer not to use an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative for your payment date. Have your Social Security number ready.

What the 2.67% increase means for your monthly payment

The 2.67% COLA applies to your full monthly benefit amount. If you received $1,500 per month in December 2024, your January 2025 payment will be approximately $1,540 (an increase of about $40). The exact amount depends on how Social Security calculates your specific benefit, which can include rounding.

The increase is permanent — it does not reset each month. Your new benefit amount becomes your baseline for 2025, and any future COLA adjustments will be calculated from this higher amount.

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to Social Security, the COLA increase applies to both payments. However, SSI has a resource limit, so a higher benefit might affect your SSI amount. Contact Social Security if you receive both programs and want to understand how the increase affects your total payment.

When the 2025 COLA was announced and how it was calculated

Social Security announced the 2.67% COLA for 2025 in October 2024. The COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures inflation across food, housing, transportation, and other costs. The Social Security Administration compares the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the current year to the same three months of the previous year. The percentage increase becomes the COLA for the following year.

The 2.67% figure was lower than the 2024 COLA of 3.2%, which reflected higher inflation in 2023. COLA amounts vary year to year based on inflation trends and are never negative — if inflation is flat or negative, the COLA remains at zero and no one's benefit decreases.

Direct deposit and payment method options

Social Security payments are deposited directly into your bank account, prepaid debit card, or Treasury check (if you cannot use direct deposit). Direct deposit is the fastest and most secure method — your payment arrives on your scheduled date without delay.

If you receive a paper check, it is mailed several days before your payment date to account for mail delivery time. Checks are mailed on the same day as direct deposits are processed, so arrival timing varies by location.

You can change your payment method at any time through your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213. If you switch from direct deposit to a check, the change takes effect with your next payment cycle.

Taxes and how the COLA increase affects your tax situation

The 2.67% increase to your Social Security benefit may affect how much of your benefit is subject to federal income tax. Social Security benefits become taxable if your combined income (adjusted gross income plus non-taxable interest plus half your Social Security benefit) exceeds certain thresholds: $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for married couples filing jointly.

A higher benefit amount could push you over these thresholds if you are close to them. If you pay estimated taxes or have taxes withheld from your Social Security payment, you may want to review your withholding after the January payment arrives. You can adjust your tax withholding through Form W-4V, which you submit to Social Security.

State taxes vary — some states do not tax Social Security benefits at all, while others tax them under their own rules. Check your state's tax guidance or speak with a tax professional if you are unsure how the increase affects your state taxes.

What to do if your payment does not arrive on schedule

If your January 2025 payment does not arrive on your scheduled date, first confirm the date by checking your my Social Security account or calling 1-800-772-1213. Payment delays are rare but can happen if there is a banking error or if your account information has changed.

If the payment is more than one business day late, contact Social Security immediately. Have your Social Security number and bank account information ready. Social Security can investigate the delay and, if necessary, issue a replacement payment. Do not assume the payment was lost — direct deposits sometimes take an extra day to post to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to get the 2.67% increase in January?

No. The COLA increase is automatic for everyone already receiving Social Security benefits. Your payment will simply be higher in January with no action required on your part.

Will the 2.67% COLA increase apply to my survivor or disability benefits?

Yes. The COLA applies to all Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. If you receive benefits as a spouse or child of a beneficiary, your payment increases by 2.67% as well.

Can I find a PDF of the official 2025 payment schedule?

The Social Security Administration publishes payment calendars on ssa.gov, but the schedule is the same every year based on birth date. Your personal payment date is easiest to find through your my Social Security account rather than searching for a general PDF.

What if I turn 70 in 2025 — does the COLA apply to my new benefit amount?

Yes. When you reach your full retirement age or claim benefits at any age, your initial benefit is calculated based on your earnings record. The 2.67% COLA then applies to that amount starting in January 2025 if you are already receiving payments, or starting with your first payment if you claim after January 1.

Does the COLA increase affect my Medicare premiums?

The COLA increase to your Social Security benefit does not directly change your Medicare Part B premium. However, Medicare premiums are adjusted annually and are sometimes held harmless, meaning your premium increase cannot exceed your Social Security COLA increase. This protects beneficiaries from losing their entire raise to premium increases.