Social Security Checks Set to Increase in January 2025: Key Dates Revealed
According to Lagradaonline, More than 70 million beneficiaries are eagerly awaiting confirmation of the official Social Security check increase for 2025. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the new payment increase will be distributed in January, following the established Social Security payment schedule for the upcoming year. However, the precise payment amounts will only be determined after the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the official cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase next month.
Projected COLA Increase
While the final COLA percentage is yet to be confirmed, the Senior Citizens League (TSCL) has projected that the increase could range between 2.73% and 3.2%. For those eligible for Social Security payments, understanding the newly confirmed payment dates for next year, along with these projected amounts, is crucial.
First Increased Check from Social Security in January 2025
Each month, the SSA is responsible for distributing five sets of payments. Beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Retirement, Survivor, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) programs receive the first two payments on the first and third days of the month. Following that, depending on each beneficiary’s birth date, SSA provides three additional rounds of RSDI payments on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays.
Also read: $1,750 Stimulus Payment: What to Know About Your Payment Date
For January 2025, SSI beneficiaries will not receive their benefits on January 1st due to the federal holiday; instead, they will receive their payments on Tuesday, December 31st. The Social Security Administration will also reschedule payments for Friday, January 31st, since February 1st falls on a weekend. As a result, SSI beneficiaries will receive an early payment from February’s benefits despite not receiving their monthly payments in January. Aside from this minor adjustment to the usual schedule, retirees, survivors, and disabled individuals will continue to receive their regular payments on the third day of each month if they applied for benefits before May 1997. Those who applied after that date will receive their benefits in a staggered manner based on their birth date.
| Social Security programs 2025 | Monthly benefits (2025) | Criteria to deliver monthly benefits |
|---|---|---|
| SSI benefits | No payments | Recipients will receive their benefits on December 31st because January 1st falls on a weekend. |
| RSDI benefits (before May 1997) | January 3rd (Friday) | Only those who filed for Social Security before this date are eligible to receive payments. |
| RSDI benefits (after May 1997) | January 8th (Wednesday) | Day of birth: 1st–10th. |
| January 12th (Wednesday) | Day of birth: 11th–20th. | |
| January 22nd (Wednesday) | Day of birth: 21st–31st. |
How Much Will Social Security Payments Increase in 2025?
The amount Social Security pays to its beneficiaries is influenced by several factors, including age, work history, contributions made during employment, and specific conditions for those qualifying for the SSDI program. After determining eligibility, the SSA calculates the monthly payment amount based on the beneficiaries’ unique circumstances. Importantly, the benefit amount fluctuates annually due to the COLA, which helps beneficiaries cope with inflation.
Since the official COLA increase will not be announced until October, we can provide an estimate of how much Social Security payments may increase, assuming a 2.73% rise in monthly benefits. However, it is essential to note that this is merely an estimate, and the final percentage may vary, impacting the actual payment amounts.
| Retirement benefits (Plus 2.73%) | Survivor benefits (Plus 2.73%) | SSDI benefits (Plus 2.73%) | SSI benefits (Plus 2.73%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On average: $1,952 | On average: $1,546 | On average: $1,579 | On average: $717 |
| Age 62: $2,784 | Individual: $1,821 | Blind recipients: $2,661 | Individuals: $969 |
| Age 67: $3,926 | 2 Children: $3,753 | Maximum payment: $3,926 | Couples: $1,454 |
| Age 70: $5,006 | Essential person: $485 |
