Keep an eye on your mailbox: dates when Social Security payments COLA increase notices are sent
Each year, the SSA increases the benefits payments to match inflation. To help beneficiaries budget notices are sent. Here’s when you’ll get yours.
Every month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) distributes payments to more than 70 million Americans, including retirees, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, and those enrolled in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Here’s a breakdown of how payments work, what amounts beneficiaries can expect in 2024, and how the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 will impact your benefits.
Mark your calendar: key date for the COLA increase notices
For 2025, the COLA will result in a 2.5% increase in monthly payments, reflecting higher inflation rates. Beneficiaries will see this adjustment in their first payment of 2025. Whether you’re planning your monthly budget or just staying informed, understanding how Social Security payments are distributed and adjusted is key.
With the 2.5% COLA increase for 2025, millions of beneficiaries can expect a slight financial boost to help offset rising costs. The SSA will be mailing notices to beneficiaries to inform them of the exact amount they will receive each month in 2025 throughout the month of December.
If you have a ‘my Social Security’ account, you can check the message center in the app starting early December for yours. If you don’t have a ‘my Social Security’ account, it’s recommendable to set one up as it offers a range of tools beneficiaries and workers who contribute to the program can use. In order to check your 2025 COLA notice online, you had to be signed up by November 20.
The SSA advises beneficiaries that the notices are sent at different times, so “it is possible that your friend or family member will receive their notice in the mail before you.” The agency asks that you “please wait until January before contacting us about your mailed notice.”
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How Much Will You Get in 2024?
The amount of your Social Security payment depends on your program and circumstances. Here are the average monthly benefits for 2024, according to the SSA:
- Retired workers: $1,921 per month.
- Couples filing jointly: $3,307 per month.
- SSI recipients (individuals): $943 per month.
- SSI recipients (couples): $1,415 per month.
When Will You Receive Your Social Security Payments?
Social Security payments for most beneficiaries are sent out every Wednesday, depending on your date of birth:
- Born 1st-10th: Payments arrive on the second Wednesday of the month.
- Born 11th-20th: Payments are made on the third Wednesday.
- Born 21st-31st: Payments are issued on the fourth Wednesday.
Special cases: If you retired before May 1997 or receive SSI, you won’t follow this schedule. Instead, your payments will arrive at the beginning of the month regardless of your birth date.
Original article written by Daniela Barrera, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Greg Heilman.
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