It’s time to make plans and adjust your budget for 2025 as 2024 draws to a close. For those who depend on Social Security benefits and are worried about how the new cost of living adjustment (COLA) will affect their financial situation, this is particularly crucial.
In contrast to the preceding four adjustments, the new COLA for 2025, which was revealed in October, is modest. The 2.5% gain, however, is encouraging since it shows that inflation has dropped and the post-pandemic economy is stabilizing. Inflation swiftly overtook the COLA in the first half of 2024, which was 3.2%.
The 2.5% increase that will be implemented is the outcome of the government’ determined efforts to lower inflation in the second half of the year, given the dire circumstances facing those on fixed incomes.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which tracks monthly price changes in eight categories—food and beverages, housing, clothing, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services—is used by the Bureau of Labour Statistics to calculate the COLA. The percentages for July, August, and September are contrasted with the same index from the previous year, and the change in these categories is expressed as a percentage. The COLA for the following year is determined by the difference in percentages.
How the new COLA will affect Social Security benefits in 2025
Fifty million Americans get retirement payments from Social Security, which is paid to about 72.5 million people. In January 2025, many of them will be affected by the increase in monthly checks.
Social Security Commissioner Martin O. Malley released a statement about how the higher COLA affected claimants. Social Security and SSI benefits will rise in 2025, helping tens of millions of people control their expenditure as inflation declines. More than 68 million Social Security retirees will start receiving a 2.5% COLA in January 2025. Beginning on December 31, 2024, an estimated 7.5 million SSI beneficiaries will receive increased benefits.Some people receive both Social Security income and SSI (Social Security Income), according to the statement.
Changes that will be implanted other than the COLA
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will make it easier for beneficiaries to understand how the COLA impacts their benefits in the upcoming year.
Since the majority of the information is now accessible through the enhanced my Social Security account, the COLA notice will be streamlined to make it simpler for consumers to locate the information they require. The notice used to be long and thorough. The one-page, streamlined COLA notice now uses clear, individualized language and provides precise dates and cash amounts for the individual’s new benefit amount and any deductions.
Register for an SSA account if you require additional information. By doing this, you can send alerts of changes to your address and marital status without losing them in the mail.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.