Social Security COLA for new 2025 retirees - will I get the 2.5% increase on my first check?

new beneficiaries dont get cola. u have to be getting benefits for a full year first

The 8.7% COLA will apply to your benefits starting with your January 2026 payment (received at the end of December 2025). For new beneficiaries like you who start receiving benefits in November 2025, your initial benefit amount already includes all the inflation adjustments up to your eligibility date, so you won't receive this COLA because your benefit calculation is already current. The SSA emails go out to all beneficiaries, so you received it even though it doesn't apply to your situation. Hope that helps!

Sorry for the confusion! The previous commenter was incorrect about the percentage - it is indeed 2.5% for 2026 (not 8.7%). But they were right about everything else. Since you're just starting benefits in November 2025, your initial benefit amount already accounts for inflation up to your eligibility date. The COLA increase is designed to help existing beneficiaries keep pace with inflation. You'll be eligible for your first COLA increase in January 2027, when they announce the adjustment for that year. The email was sent to all Social Security account holders, which is why you received it even though it doesn't affect you yet. Your benefit amount is correct as currently displayed.

Same thing happened to me last year! Got that email but no increase. Called SSA and waited 2.5 hours just to be told exactly what others are saying here - no COLA for new recipients. So frustrating that they send those emails to everyone!

I went through this exact situation last year. Tried calling SSA for clarification and spent DAYS trying to get through to someone. After being disconnected repeatedly, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual SSA representative in under 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed what others here are saying - new beneficiaries don't get the COLA in their first year because their benefit amount is already calculated using current wage indexes. Saved me a lot of confusion and worry!

this is why the government is so USELESS!!! they send out emails that confuse millions of people and then don't answer the phone. my husbands ben on hold for 3 HOURS today trying to get a simple question answered about his benefits. they say one thing online and another thing when you finally talk to someone. RIDICULOUS!!!

One thing I should add - while you won't receive the 2.5% COLA this January, your benefit amount should still be correct based on the application you submitted. If you applied recently, your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) calculation already includes wage indexing factors that account for inflation up to your eligibility year. If you want to double-check your benefit calculation, you can request a PEBES (earnings statement) from SSA which breaks down how they calculated your benefit amount based on your lifetime earnings. This might give you peace of mind that you're receiving the correct amount even without the COLA.