Many retirees look forward to Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which for 2025 is 2.5%. The COLA technically takes effect in December, with beneficiaries seeing updated payments in January.

Beginning in January 2025, retirees will see a 2.5% increase in their benefits. For the average retired worker, this means an additional $48 per month. Survivor beneficiaries and workers with disabilities will see smaller increases. As inflation begins to cool, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 has been set at 2.5%.

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for 2025 is a 2.5% increase. That means the monthly benefits checks for more than 72.5 million Americans will see their lowest annual bump in four years.

Social Security's 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) took effect in January. Benefits will increase 2.5% this year, the smallest pay bump for seniors since 2021. Indeed, more than half of retired workers surveyed by The Motley Fool in October said the COLA was insufficient.

The full retirement age (FRA), the age at which retirees can claim their Social Security benefits, has been gradually increasing and will increase again in 2025. This year, those born in 1959 will reach their FRA at 66 years and 10 months, two months later than those born in 1958. For those born in 1960 or later, the FRA will rise to 67.