Social Security’s annual cost of living adjustments (COLAs) are critical because millions of seniors in America rely on the program to make ends meet. In theory, COLAs allow benefits to increase in line with inflation, preventing seniors whose income relies primarily on Social Security from falling behind.

According to the latest news, SSA will announce the 2025 Social Security COLA increase announcement on October 10th. By then, the most important missing piece of the puzzle for calculating this amount should be available: September inflation statistics. However, there is already a lot of information available, although everyone will have to wait a little longer to find out what the Social Security COLA will be in 2025.

Announcing the 2025 Social Security COLA increase

Based on annual inflation rates, the Social Security Administration adjusts the benefit level of Social Security recipients each year. According to the 2025 Social Security COLA increase release date, the 2025 cost of living adjustment (COLA) will be announced on October 10 and will take effect on January 1, 2025. The Senior Citizens League, the country’s largest nonpartisan seniors’ organization, has made predictions based on inflation numbers that suggest this year’s COLA will be the lowest in three years.

Based on a 2.9% decline in consumer price data, TSCL forecasts suggest there could be a 2.5% increase in 2025. Although the actual COLA won’t be announced until next week, if the estimate occurs, a 2.5% increase would result in a $48 increase in the average monthly benefit for retirees, which is $1,920.

Social Security COLA increase

The cost of living adjustment (COLA), a percentage increase in beneficiaries’ benefits to combat inflation, will be announced by the Social Security Administration in less than two weeks. The latest forecasts are for a COLA forecast of around 2.5%, but we won’t know for sure until the announcement on October 10th. Based on a decline in consumer price inflation from 2.9% in July to 2.5% in August, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) provided the forecast. Here are some important details about the increase for next year.

It will likely be lower than the 2024 COLA

According to preliminary estimates, a COLA of 2.5% is forecast for 2025. Although it is possible that the increase in 2025 could be exactly 2.5%, there is a significant chance that the official figure will be slightly higher or lower. In any case, however, seniors should expect a lower COLA for 2025 than the 3.2% increase in 2024. But that’s not entirely a bad thing. A smaller COLA typically indicates that the cost of living is not rising as quickly because Social Security benefits are indexed to inflation. Additionally, overall good news for consumers is a falling inflation rate.

Changes to Medicare Part B costs affect this

Monthly Part B premiums are derived from benefit payments for seniors enrolled in Medicare and receiving Social Security benefits. This not only ensures that these payments are made, but also makes life easier for seniors. However, seniors’ COLAs may suffer if Medicare Part B costs rise significantly from year to year because they receive less additional Social Security.

Today’s average Social Security payout is $1,920 per month. Additionally, if Social Security’s COLA turns out to be 2.5% in 2025, there would be an average monthly increase of $48. However, if Medicare Part B costs $12 more per month, that increase is offset by 25%, leaving the average senior with only $36 more per month.

Be that as it may, it is unlikely to satisfy seniors.

• After seeing the recent COLA forecast of 2.5% for the coming year, seniors may be hoping for a higher Social Security payout. However, even in this scenario, there is a high probability that it will not succeed. Why? The ability of older people to keep up with inflation has long been hampered by Social Security COLAs. Last year, the nonpartisan Senior Citizens League revealed that low COLAs have caused Social Security retirees to lose 36% of their purchasing power since 2000.
• The way these COLAs are calculated is a major factor in the problem and depends on changes to the CPI-W. However, the CPI-W is in no way an index tailored to seniors. Since many Social Security recipients do not work and many do not live in cities, this is actually not a sufficient indicator of the overall expenses they incur. Future COLA increases could be achieved by moving to a more senior-specific index.
• Although lawmakers have talked about such a change, it is still far from being put into practice. Even though the official announcement won’t come until later in 2025, there’s a lot to know about the 2025 increase right now. With the help of this knowledge, retirees can start planning their finances for 2025 and stay away from surprises on October 10th.

COLA increases release date to 2025

The 2025 COLA increase will be announced by SSA and the official announcement will be made on October 10th. You will need to stay updated on the financial impact of these developments as we eagerly await the formal announcement. When we know what to expect, we can make informed decisions, whether it’s planning future expenses or increasing our monthly budget.

Juniper Leena is a graduate of law and finance. She loves writing articles about the U.S. economy and social security. In her free time she enjoys playing chess. She is the writing staff leader at the Fort Hunt Herald, reporting to Niamh Prescott. She also completed her MBA in Finance in 2018.