Two moves retirees may make now to boost their 2025 Social Security benefit checks
A 2.5% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is the lowest increase to benefits since 2021. To increase those checks, retirees may consider two money moves.
New Social Security Law Faces Long Delay Before Sending Out Adjusted Benefits
It ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits of over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a "non-covered pension").
Social Security Payments: Millions May Not Receive Boost For Over A Year
Callers to the SSA hear a message about the Social Security Fairness Act, intended to reduce long and frustrating wait times for those seeking information on the new law. However, more than 7,000 people per day still choose to wait for a live representative, leading to a backlog that is expected to grow in the coming weeks and months.
Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Update: Here's the Projected Increase for 2026
By now, all seniors on Social Security should have gotten their first checks for 2025. With the latest 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in effect, the average benefit has climbed to $1,976 per month. That's about $49 higher than the average in December 2024.
Social Security early COLA predictions are in: Will it help or hurt beneficiaries?
Data from TSCL’s 2024 Senior Survey shows 62% of older Americans worry their retirement income won’t even cover essentials such as groceries and medical bills. Will 2026's COLA increase help?
Higher Social Security Benefits Under New Law Delayed—How Long Will You Have To Wait?
Retirees looking forward to increased benefits because of the Social Security Fairness Act may now have to wait more than one year due to reduced funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Over 3 million Social Security Fairness Act beneficiaries may wait more than a year for higher payments, agency says
The Social Security Fairness Act will provide benefit increases to more than 3 million individuals. But it's uncertain when they will see that money.
Social Security COLA prediction: Bad news for retirees in 2026?
An early prediction for next year’s Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment shows retirees could be in for a shock. The nonpartisan advocacy group The Senior Citizens League predicts the 2026 COLA will be 2.
Is the 2025 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Really Enough for Retirees to Keep Up With Inflation?
The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, added 2.5% to Social Security benefits in 2025. However, as Certified Financial Planner® Matt Frankel explains in this video, this might not be quite enough to help American retirees keep up with the rising cost of the goods and services they need the most.
Why Your 2025 Social Security COLA Is Probably Too Small
If you receive Social Security benefits, you are getting a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) this year. This means your retirement benefits check is going to be bigger than it was before. That's the good news.
Social Security February direct payment worth $967 goes out today
February’s Supplemental Security Income payment, worth up to $967, will go out to millions of beneficiaries today.
How long will it take for Social Security raises with new law for teachers, police?
Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy said the Social Security Administration must implement the Social Security Fairness Act as ...
Did Trump Freeze Social Security? Federal Funding Pause Explained
An internal memorandum sent on Monday by the Office of Management and Budget ordered federal agencies to pause all grants and ...
First round of February Social Security payments goes out in 13 days
The first round of February’s Social Security payments, worth up to $5,108 for the highest-income earners who retire at age ...
Trump freezes federal aid: What it means for Social Security, Medicare, universities and more
President Donald Trump has frozen $3 trillion in federal funds until his administration completes a full spending review.
The Social Security Administration’s new boss is an unmatched operator—and now the second biggest business figure in Trump-land
He's known as a Jamie Dimon protegé, a 9/11 hero, and an operational expert. Now Fiserv's Frank Bisignano can add government ...
Should you claim Social Security at the same time as your spouse? Here's how to know.
Another perk of being married in retirement is that both you and your spouse may each be eligible for a monthly Social Security benefit. That gives you access to even more income, and more financial ...