The Social Security COLA 2025 Increase Is Here: Here’s When to Expect Your Boosted Check

The 2025 Social Security COLA increase has officially gone into effect, and recipients can expect a monetary boost in their monthly payments. Starting this month, a 2.5% increase will be reflected in Social Security (retirement and survivor) checks. Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will also see an increase in their monthly payments. 

The Social Security Administration makes an annual cost-of-living adjustment to combat inflation, which results in a larger check for those who receive Social Security. The COLA is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year.

Below, we’ll lay out how much you can expect to see added to your 2025 Social Security check going forward. For more, you can dive in further with the Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income payment schedules. 

How much will my Social Security payment be with the 2025 COLA increase?

The COLA increase raises Social Security payments by 2.5%. The Social Security Administration says that will raise average monthly payments by around $48. Here are the new average payments for 2025 based on recipient groups.

When will I see the COLA increase in my Social Security check?

Starting in January 2025, you’ll notice the COLA increase on your monthly checks. Checks are disbursed on scheduled Wednesdays each month, so when you get the first increased check depends on your birth date and when you started receiving Social Security benefits.

• If your birthday falls between the first and 10th of the month, your payment will be sent out on the second Wednesday of January 2025.
• If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of the month, your payment will be sent out on the third Wednesday of January 2025.
• If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, your payment will be sent out on the fourth Wednesday of January 2025.

Payments for Supplemental Security Income recipients generally arrive on the first of each month, unless it’s a holiday or weekend, so those payments arrived in December 2025. If you received Social Security benefits before May 1997, your payment should have arrived on Jan. 3, 2025.

For more details, check out this Social Security cheat sheet that tells you how your benefits work.