When does the COLA increase actually show up in Social Security deposits? Got a random $20 bump
My January Social Security payment just hit my account and I noticed it was about $20 higher than usual. I'm guessing this is the cost-of-living adjustment for 2025, but I thought that was supposed to be higher? Wasn't it announced as 2.5% or something? My monthly benefit is around $1,650 so $20 doesn't seem right. Does the COLA get added gradually throughout the year? Or should I have seen the full increase in this check? Just confused about the timing and amount. Has anyone else noticed their increase and does it match what you were expecting?
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StormChaser
The COLA increase for Social Security benefits is applied to your January payment each year, which most people receive in January (but technically it's for the December benefit). So yes, what you're seeing is your 2025 COLA adjustment. If your payment only went up by $20 on a $1,650 benefit, that's roughly a 1.2% increase, which is less than the announced COLA of 2.5%. You should check your mySocialSecurity account online to see your benefit calculation notice - there might be other factors affecting your payment amount.
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Sofia Gomez
•Thanks, I'll check my mySocialSecurity account. I didn't realize other factors could reduce the COLA. I do have Medicare Part B and D premiums that come out automatically - could that be affecting things?
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Dmitry Petrov
i got mine and it went up about 40 bucks, but i think they also raised the medicare part b premium this year so maybe thats why yours looks smaller? the part b premium comes out before u get your money
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Ava Williams
•Yes exactly! The Medicare Part B premium increased for 2025, so that eats into the COLA increase. My benefit only went up $28 even though the actual COLA was supposed to be around $45 for me.
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Miguel Castro
The Medicare Part B premium increased by $10.40 for 2025, going from $174.70 to $185.10 per month for most beneficiaries. This increase is automatically deducted from your Social Security payment before you receive it. So if you were supposed to get a 2.5% COLA increase on $1,650 (about $41.25), but then had the Medicare premium increase of $10.40 subtracted, you'd end up with a net increase of about $30.85. If you're only seeing $20, there might be something else affecting your payment - perhaps an adjustment for overpayment, change in tax withholding, or another deduction. I would recommend calling SSA directly to get an explanation. It can take weeks to get through on their 800 number though.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•I tried calling the SSA last week about a similar issue and kept getting disconnected after waiting for 45+ minutes! So frustrating!!
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Connor O'Neill
•If you're having trouble reaching SSA by phone, you might want to try a service called Claimyr. It helps you get through to a Social Security agent without the long wait times. I used it last month when I needed to check on my benefits calculation and got through in under 10 minutes. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check out their demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me hours of frustration!
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LunarEclipse
THE SSA ALWAYS MESSES THIS UP!! My COLA increase was wrong last year too and when I finally got someone on the phone (after 3 tries) they admitted they made a calculation error!!! CHECK YOUR BENEFIT VERIFICATION LETTER and DEMAND they fix it if it's wrong!!!
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StormChaser
•While errors can happen, they're not common. Before assuming there's a mistake, it's important to understand that the net increase can be affected by Medicare premium changes, tax withholding adjustments, or other deductions. The Benefit Verification Letter in your mySocialSecurity account will show the breakdown of your gross benefit amount, which should reflect the full COLA increase, and then any deductions that reduce the net amount.
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Sofia Gomez
Update: I finally got into my mySocialSecurity account and you all were right - it was the Medicare Part B premium increase that ate into my COLA. My actual increase was $41.25, but after the higher Medicare premium, it dropped to $30.85. And then I also have a Part D plan that went up by $10.50, so that's why I only saw about $20 more in my bank account. Thanks everyone for helping me understand! Wish they'd explain this better when they announce the COLA each year.
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Dmitry Petrov
•glad u figured it out! its confusing how they talk about COLA but dont always mention the medicare stuff going up too. happens every year
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Ava Williams
•My mother had the same confusion last year! She was expecting a bigger increase based on the announced percentage but didn't realize all the Medicare costs would eat into it. I wish the SSA would send a simple breakdown showing: COLA increase + Medicare increase = actual change in payment. Would save a lot of confusion!
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Yara Khalil
My brother and I were just talking about this yesterday! He got his increase but I haven't seen mine yet. Does anyone know if they send them out in batches? My birthday is on the 28th so I usually get paid later in the month. Will I see my COLA in January too or do I have to wait for my regular payment date?
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Miguel Castro
•Everyone receives their COLA increase in their January payment, regardless of when during the month you receive your benefits. Social Security payments are distributed based on your birth date: - Born on 1st-10th: Second Wednesday of month - Born on 11th-20th: Third Wednesday of month - Born on 21st-31st: Fourth Wednesday of month If you started receiving benefits before May 1997, you get paid on the 3rd of each month. So with your birthday on the 28th, you'll get your payment on the fourth Wednesday of January, and it will include your COLA increase.
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