Will I get the 2025 Social Security COLA if my benefits start in February?

Yes, you'll get the COLA! The 2025 COLA applies to anyone eligible for benefits in 2025, regardless of when you start receiving them during the year. The COLA is already built into the benefit calculation. If you check your award letter when it arrives, you should see the amount already includes the 2025 adjustment.

Actually it depends why ur benefits r delayed until February. If it's because u turn 62 in January, then ur first month of eligibility is February (SSA pays a month behind) so you'd get the COLA. But if its cuz they're behind on processing ur application and u were eligible earlier, you might also get backpay with COLA factored in.

Let me clear this up - Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month they're due. So if January 2025 is your first month of entitlement, you'll receive that payment in February. And yes, the 2025 COLA will be included automatically. The COLA takes effect with December benefits (paid in January). Since you're not entitled for December, you'll start with the already-increased rate. Your benefit amount has the COLA built in from the start - you don't need to do anything special to receive it.

I started getting my SS in March last year and I still got the COLA for that year so you should be fine!!! They automatically add it I think. My daughter works for SSA and she says they add it to all the payments for the year no matter when you start.

I've been through this exact situation. Since you applied in September for benefits to start in January 2025 (with payment in February), you'll definitely get the 2025 COLA. But I'd recommend calling SSA to verify everything is on track. I had to call 37 times before getting through last year! I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through - they have a callback service that saves hours of redial frustration. Their video shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Worth it to confirm your application is being processed correctly and that you'll receive the correct amount with COLA included.

AVOID THAT CLAIMYR THING!!! just keep calling SSA directly!!!! they WILL pick up eventually. These services just want ur $$$$ and probably steal ur info!!!!

To address your original question about the COLA: The 2025 COLA would be announced in October 2024 and take effect with December 2024 benefits (paid in January 2025). Since your benefits begin with January 2025 (paid in February), your initial benefit amount will already include the 2025 COLA adjustment. For future reference, COLAs work like this: - Announced in October of each year (based on the CPI-W from Q3) - Applied to December benefits (which are paid in January) - All beneficiaries receiving payments for January or later in that year get the increased amount Since you're starting in January 2025 (with payment in February), you'll receive the full 2025 COLA from the beginning.

Thank you all so much for the helpful responses! To summarize what I've learned: 1. My January 2025 benefit (paid in February) will automatically include the 2025 COLA 2. The delay to February is just the normal payment cycle (January entitlement paid in February) 3. I should double-check my MySocialSecurity account when the award letter arrives to confirm everything This community has been incredibly helpful - I was really worried about losing out on the COLA increase for my budget planning. I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain how this works!

You're absolutely right to summarize those key points! Just to add one more helpful tip for your budget planning - when you do receive your award letter, it will show your exact monthly benefit amount with the 2025 COLA already included. This makes it much easier to plan your finances since you won't have to calculate the increase yourself. Also, keep in mind that Medicare Part B premiums (if applicable) will be deducted from your Social Security payment, so make sure to account for that in your budgeting as well. Congratulations on reaching your full retirement age and getting your benefits sorted out!