When will SSA recalculate my benefits with 2023 earnings? October adjustment confusion

Yes, this is completely normal. SSA typically processes earnings records and recalculations once per year, usually around October. It's called an Automatic Earnings Reappraisal Operation (AERO). They'll retroactively adjust your payments back to January 2025 when they do the recalculation. As for COLA, that always kicks in with your January payment (received in February). The COLA amount is typically announced in October of the previous year.

kinda had the same thing happen 2 me. they added my last full work year like 8 months after i started getting checks. got a nice little back payment too!

They'll send you a letter explaining the adjustment. It will show your new benefit amount and explain any retroactive payment you'll receive for the months you've been underpaid. The retroactive amount usually comes as a separate payment.

nope, didn't do nothing. just showed up one day. was nice surprise lol

My husband had this same issue and we waited FOUR MONTHS after October and still nothing happened! We had to call multiple times and no one could help. FINALLY got through to someone who fixed it, but we lost money waiting.

I went through exactly this last year. The October AERO is real, and they do it automatically, but in my experience, calling to check on it in late October/early November is a good idea. My adjustment didn't happen until I called, though they claimed it was "already in process." Also, be aware the COLA for 2026 should be announced mid-October 2025, but won't affect your payments until January 2026 (received in February). Just to clarify one thing - if you started receiving benefits in February 2025, that payment was actually for January 2025 (SS always pays a month behind).

For my husband it was about $90 more per month, plus around $800 in back pay for the months they underpaid him. Definitely worth it, but SO frustrating dealing with them!

If you need to call SSA to check on this in October (which I recommend based on my experience), try using Claimyr.com. Saved me hours of waiting on hold. They connect you directly to an SSA agent. I saw a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU that shows how it works. Made the whole process of checking on my AERO adjustment so much easier.

Just to add some technical details to what others have said: The AERO process specifically looks at your earnings from the previous year that weren't included in your initial benefit calculation. In your case, that's 2023. Your benefit amount is calculated using your highest 35 years of indexed earnings, so if 2023 was higher than your lowest earning year included in your calculation, your benefit will increase. The adjustment is completely automatic, but as others have mentioned, it's worth following up if you don't see any changes by November. Regarding COLA: The Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2026 will be announced in mid-October 2025, and will be applied to your January 2026 benefit (paid in February 2026). Last year's COLA was 3.2%, but it varies each year based on inflation metrics.

Anyone else find it RIDICULOUS that the SSA can't calculate this stuff faster??? I mean, we live in 2025 and they're still using processes from 1980! My brother had to wait almost a YEAR for his recalculation. The whole system is designed to delay giving people the money they deserve!!!

btw make sure ur checking ur my social security account online. sometimes u see the changes there before u get letter in mail.

Does anyone know if they do these AERO adjustments for SSDI too or just retirement? My son is on disability and had some earnings in 2023 (under SGA limits).

As someone who just went through this process myself, I can confirm everything others have said about the October AERO timing. One thing I'd add - when you get your adjustment letter, keep it for your records! The letter will break down exactly how your new benefit was calculated and show which year got replaced in your earnings record. It's really helpful to understand how SSA determines your benefit amount. Also, don't be surprised if the retroactive payment takes a few extra weeks to arrive after your regular benefit gets adjusted - they process them separately.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process twice now. The October AERO adjustment is definitely real and automatic, but I'd recommend being patient while also staying informed. In my experience, the adjustment happened right on schedule in October, and I received both the letter explaining the change and the retroactive payment within about 3 weeks of each other. The retroactive payment came as a direct deposit (same method as my regular benefits) and was clearly labeled as "RETRO" on my bank statement. One tip - if you have a my Social Security account online, you can actually see your updated payment history there before you get the official letter, which helped ease my anxiety about whether it was really happening!