No Social Security COLA for 2025? Heard rumors on news - is this true?

Thats NOT correct information!! The news is always trying to scare us seniors. The COLA for next year hasnt been ANNOUNCED yet - they don't even calculate it until October when they look at the 3rd quarter CPI-W numbers. So whoever reported that is just making stuff up to get views. DISGUSTING how they prey on our anxieties!!!!

What you heard was likely a prediction, not an official announcement. The Social Security COLA is calculated based on the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers) for the third quarter (July, August, September). The official 2025 COLA will be announced in mid-October 2024. Some economists are predicting a lower COLA for 2025 compared to previous years due to decreasing inflation, but it's highly unlikely there would be no COLA at all unless we experience deflation. Even a small positive inflation rate should translate to some increase in benefits.

I just checked the official SSA website and there's nothing about cancelling the 2025 COLA. As the previous commenter said, they calculate it using the third quarter CPI-W data, and the announcement won't come until October. While it might be smaller than previous years (we had 3.2% for 2024 and 8.7% for 2023), there's no indication it will be zero. Here's what affects the COLA calculation: - They compare Q3 CPI-W to previous year's Q3 - If there's any inflation (even 0.1%), we get a COLA - Only if prices actually drop (deflation) would there be no COLA Inflation has been slowing but still positive, so we should get something.

To answer the question about negative inflation (deflation): No, Social Security benefits will not be reduced if there's deflation. There's a "hold harmless" provision that prevents benefits from decreasing due to a negative CPI-W. If there's deflation, the COLA would be 0%, meaning benefits stay the same. This happened in 2010, 2011, and 2016 when beneficiaries received no COLA, but their benefits didn't decrease. So even in a worst-case scenario, your benefits would remain stable.

Last year they predicted a tiny cola and we got 3.2%! Never trust these so-called "experts" who try to scare us every year. Its all about getting clicks and views. I've been on SS for 12 years now and every single year theres rumors about cuts or no cola. and yet we always get something except those 3 years when inflation was basically zero.

my neighbor works at the social security office and she said they're expecting a cola but smaller than last year. something like 1.5-2% is what they're hearing internally. not great but better than nothing i guess

Anyone else struggling to get through to SSA to ask questions about this? I've been trying to call for days about my benefits calculation and can't get a human on the line. Keep getting disconnected after waiting 40+ minutes. So frustrating!

For those concerned about the potential COLA for 2025, here's some historical context: - 2023 COLA: 8.7% (highest in 40 years due to inflation spike) - 2024 COLA: 3.2% (as inflation began moderating) - Previous 10-year average (2014-2023): approximately 2.6% - Years with 0% COLA: 2010, 2011, 2016 Current inflation trends suggest we'll likely see a COLA in the 1.5-2.5% range for 2025, assuming inflation continues at similar rates through Q3. While lower than recent years, this is actually closer to historical norms. The official announcement will come from SSA in mid-October 2024.

Thank you everyone for your insights! I feel much better knowing that the news report was just speculation and not an official announcement. I'll wait for the October announcement before worrying too much. I really appreciate this community's knowledge and support!