Mark your calendar: Social Security beneficiaries can’t afford to miss this date
Here’s when you need to keep an eye on your Social Security announcement.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who count on Social Security each month (while it still exists before Trump burns it all to the ground), make sure you’ve got October 15, 2025 circled in red ink.
That’s the day the Social Security Administration is expected to announce next year’s Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), a change that directly affects your monthly benefits.
Why October 15 matters for COLA payments
The COLA is a hugely important mechanism that helps retirees keep pace with rising prices. For many households, even a small increase translates into crucial breathing room for things like rent, medication, and groceries, all rising in price thanks to those magical tariffs.
Last year’s adjustment provided a significant bump, but with inflation wobblier than a jelly giraffe, there are feelings of both anticipation and anxiety regarding what the 2026 figure will look like.
At the moment, the Senior Citizens League (TSCL), a nonprofit seniors advocacy organisation, projects that the 2026 Social Security COLA will be 2.7%, up from 2.5% last year. Whatever the number ends up being, it will set the tone for your budget for the next year.
Rather than waiting until mid-October to think about it, there are a few smart moves you can make today:
- Note the date: Put a reminder on your phone, fridge, or bathroom mirror so you don’t miss the announcement.
- Review your spending: Look at what you’re paying right now for essentials. This gives you a clear picture of how much relief the new COLA will bring.
- Plan out different scenarios: If benefits go up by a certain percentage, how will it fit into your monthly budget? Planning ahead helps you avoid scrambling when the actual number is released.
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October 15 is more than just a date on the calendar: it’s a financial checkpoint for retirees across the country. The COLA announcement will give millions a concrete number to work with as they navigate the year ahead. Retirees should go to the SSA’s Communications Corner webpage to learn the COLA amount when it is announced.
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