Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 2.6%. The COLA was 3.2% in 2024. Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5% COLA beginning in January 2025. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2024.
Generally, the maximum Federal SSI benefit amount changes yearly. SSI benefits increased in 2024 because there was an increase in the Consumer Price Index from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. Effective January 1, 2024 the Federal benefit rate is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple.
Your SS check might be less in 2024 if you're a high-income earner in retirement. Your check would be smaller due to surcharges in Medicare if this is the case.
As of this fall, SSI will no longer count the food that a person receives from others—including family, friends, and community support networks—as unearned income, a move that is expected to help people applying for and receiving SSI.
If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025. Read more about the Social Security Cost-of-Living adjustment for 2025. The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $176,100.
What is the Medicare Tax Limit? There is no wage limit for Medicare tax, which is currently 1.45% (same as 2024) and applied to all covered wages paid.
You would not be required to file a tax return. But you might want to file a return, because even though you are not required to pay taxes on your Social Security, you may be able to get a refund of any money withheld from your paycheck for taxes.
As of January 2024, the overall average SSI payment is $697.89. This amount can also vary by age (as well as income). Here are averages for different age ranges: Those under 18 receive an average monthly payment of $814.45.
According to the Social Security Administration, the Cost of Living Adjustment for 2025 will be set at 2.5 percent for Social Security benefits and SSI payments. That means recipients will likely see an increase of roughly $50 per month.
You can use the money you get from Social Security to pay for whatever you need—including paying for your utilities and rent. SSI doesn't have limits on how much you can spend for rent. Find out if you qualify for SSDI benefits. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $4,018 per month and 12 months back pay.
For 2024, Social Security recipients got a 3.2% COLA. In 2023, the annual adjustment reached 8.7% — a nearly 40-year high as inflation soared — while the 2022 COLA stood at 5.9%.
Highest SSI Payment: The state with the highest average SSI payment is the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.), where recipients receive an average of $637.52 per month. This amount includes both the federal SSI payment and any state supplemental payments (Atticus) (Atticus).
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $185.00 in 2025, an increase of $10.30 from $174.70 in 2024.
The 2024 and 2025 limit for joint filers is $32,000. However, if you're married and file separately, you'll likely have to pay taxes on your Social Security income.
A monthly Part D plan premium (average estimated premium in 2024 is $46.50) An annual deductible (maximum $590 in 2025)
Latest COLA
Social Security benefits will increase by 2.5 percent beginning with the December 2024 benefits, which are payable in January 2025. Federal SSI payment levels will also increase by 2.5 percent effective for payments made for January 2025.
For 2024, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) FBR is $943 per month for an eligible individual and $1,415 per month for an eligible couple. For 2024, the amount of earnings that will have no effect on eligibility or benefits for SSI beneficiaries who are students under age 22 is $9,230 a year.
To qualify to get $144 added back to your Social Security check, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a Part B premium reduction or giveback benefit.
Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.
If your spouse built up entitlement to the State Second Pension between 2002 and 2016, you are entitled to inherit 50% of this amount; PLUS. If your spouse built up entitlement to Graduated Retirement Benefit between 1961 and 1975, you are entitled to inherit 50% of this amount.