Yes, for 2025, Social Security saw a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), increasing benefits, alongside a rise in the maximum taxable earnings limit to $176,100, affecting high earners, plus changes to the Retirement Earnings Test limits and a new Social Security Fairness Act ending WEP/GPO for some workers.
The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025. Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million SSI recipients will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.)
The extra $144 added to Social Security usually comes from the Medicare Part B Giveback benefit, offered by some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which pays back some or all your Part B premium, showing up as extra money in your check if it's deducted from your Social Security. To qualify, you need Original Medicare (Parts A & B), pay your own Part B premium, live in a plan's service area, and enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage plan that offers this "rebate," with the amount varying by plan and location.
Qualifying for the third stimulus check
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you will automatically qualify for the third stimulus check which will be in the amount $1400.
Qualification for the $1,400 stimulus check (the third Economic Impact Payment) in 2021 depended on your 2021 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and filing status, with full amounts for single filers earning up to $75,000 (phasing out at $80,000) and joint filers up to $150,000 (phasing out at $160,000), plus $1,400 per dependent; you needed a valid Social Security Number and had to claim it as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return if you missed the payment, with deadlines typically in April 2025.
Eligibility Criteria for Senior Stimulus Checks
Those who receive Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or veterans' benefits are also considered for stimulus payments, even if they do not file a tax return.
Six Changes to Social Security in 2026
For 2025, the Social Security wage base is $176,100 (6.2% OASDI up to that cap). Medicare tax of 1.45% applies with no wage cap.
The #1 regret of retirees is not saving enough money, with studies showing a large majority wish they had saved more and started earlier, leading to financial stress and limitations in their desired lifestyle. Other major regrets often center around a lack of planning for time, health, and experiences, such as working too long, putting off travel, or not planning for future healthcare costs, says financial experts and financial planning sources.
In 2025, Social Security saw a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), increasing average benefits, alongside ongoing discussions about long-term solvency, with the trust fund still projected to deplete by 2033, potentially leading to benefit cuts, while new legislation, the Social Security Fairness Act, began adjusting payments for some affected by WEP/GPO. Key changes for 2025 included higher SSI rates, increased taxable maximums for Social Security, and continued pushes for better online services and electronic payments from the SSA.
Yes, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients received two payments in May 2025: one on May 1st (for May) and another on May 30th (for June) because the June 1st payment date fell on a Sunday, triggering an early release. Regular Social Security beneficiaries, however, received their payments on the usual Wednesday schedule based on their birthdates (May 14, 21, or 28), though some individuals receiving both SSI and Social Security could see three payments in May.
If Social Security isn't enough, you should supplement your income through other savings (401k, IRAs, brokerage accounts), explore government aid like SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid, consider working part-time, use programs like NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp to find assistance, potentially delay claiming benefits for a higher monthly payout, or look into annuities for guaranteed income.
There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.