The Social Security Administration has announced the next Social Security payment, and it’s good news for millions of retirees because they will receive benefits with a COLA increase. The 2025 COLA increase will give retirees and SSDI beneficiaries a little financial boost that will enable them to afford commodities and services, given the continued rise in their prices.
According to the SSA schedule, the next round of payment will go out on May 14, 2025, and the people who will receive it are:
- Those born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- Those who started receiving Social Security benefits after May 1997.
What is the COLA Increase for 2025?
The SSA adjusts benefits every year based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) to enable retirees and disabled individuals to cope with inflation. In 2025, the COLA increase was set at 2.5%, and although it seems small, the increment makes a big difference over time, considering that the increase is sent every month for the whole year.
Due to the COLA increase, the maximum Social Security retirement check has increased to $5,109 per month for those who claimed retirement once they reached the full retirement age. Those who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) could see checks up to $4,018. However, the amount varies depending on the work history and lifetime earnings of the beneficiary.
A Breakdown of the COLA Increase
As stated above, the amount beneficiaries receive will depend on their personal earnings history, age of retirement, among other factors. On average, the COLA increase will result in approximately $50 per month and $600 per year for most beneficiaries.
For example, if you usually receive $1,000 per month, the 2.5% COLA increase will mean that you receive $1,025, while someone who earns $3,000 per month will now get $3,075. Although the increase seems so small, the amount is crucial for millions of retirees, most of whom rely solely on these Social Security benefits to pay for food, rent, and healthcare.
Who Will Not Receive a Payment on May 14?
Although millions of retirees will receive their Social Security payment plus the COLA increase on a certain date this month, only those born between the 1st and 10th of any month will receive the payments. Those born after the 10th of the month and who began receiving benefits before May 1997 will receive their payments on a different date.
Some individuals might have to wait until June to receive their next benefit due to the staggered payment schedule followed by the SSA. Despite the different dates, it’s certain that every eligible retiree will receive their benefits. You can check when you will receive your next payment by logging into “My Social Security Account at ssa.gov.
Why the SSA Uses Birth Dates to Decide Payment Days
The Social Security Administration uses birth dates to spread out monthly payments to avoid system overloads and delays. According to the SSA payment schedule, here are the dates when beneficiaries receive their payments in May:
- May 1, 2025- Beneficiaries who started before May 1997
- May 14, 2025- Group 2: Birthdays 1st–10th
- May 21, 2025- Group 3: Birthdays 11th–20th
- May 28, 2025- Group 4: Birthdays 21st–31st
How to Check Your Updated Benefit Amount
To check how much you will receive in the next Social Security payment and your COLA increase, follow these steps:
- Go to ssa.gov
- Sign in to your “My Social Security” account.
- Find your benefit verification letter for 2025 to see your updated monthly benefit amount.
The SSA also sent a COLA notification by mail or email earlier this year, so check your emails to see your updated amount.
The next Social Security payment will be sent on May 14, and this boost is meaningful for millions of retirees and SSDI recipients. The 2.5% COLA increase will ensure that the benefits received cover the inflation of commodities and services such as rent, medical care, and groceries.
If you are eligible, you should expect your payments to be sent automatically on the scheduled dates, depending on your birthday.
Stay informed about your Social Security benefits to know when you receive payments and plan better for the future.