With the official announcement of the 2025 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) just weeks away, experts are sharing their predictions on what beneficiaries can expect.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically announces the COLA in mid-October, which will determine the increase in monthly benefits for retirees, survivors, and those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) starting in January. This adjustment is made annually to help offset the impact of inflation.
Currently, the COLA for 2024 stands at 3.2%. However, analysts are predicting a smaller increase for 2025. The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan group advocating for seniors, projects a 2.5% increase, slightly down from their previous forecast of 2.57%. If this prediction holds, the average monthly benefit would rise by approximately $48, bringing it to $1,968.
While a 2.5% increase is below the recent average, it's still within the 20-year historical average of 2.6%. A lower COLA may indicate easing inflation, potentially leading to reduced costs for everyday essentials.
The SSA bases the COLA on the average change in prices for consumer goods and services as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The adjustment is crucial for beneficiaries, many of whom rely on these payments to keep up with rising expenses. Despite recent increases, a survey by the Senior Citizens League found that 69% of respondents felt their household costs outpaced the COLA last year, particularly in areas like food and housing.
For those receiving Social Security benefits, it's essential to remember that the actual increase in their monthly checks will depend on various factors, such as the age at which they begin claiming benefits. For example, delaying benefits until age 70 can result in higher monthly payments compared to claiming at the earliest eligible age of 62.
The official 2025 COLA announcement is expected around October 10, with the new rates taking effect in January 2025. While these predictions offer some insight, the final figure will be determined based on the latest inflation data, which can fluctuate.
Historical COLA Increases:
2024: 3.2%
2023: 8.7%
2022: 5.9%
2021: 1.3%
2020: 1.6%
Stay tuned for the official announcement and remember that while COLA adjustments are designed to help beneficiaries keep pace with inflation, actual impacts on household budgets may vary.
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