Will my February 2025 Social Security payment include the new COLA increase?
Just got my award letter from Social Security stating my retirement benefits will start February 2025. I'm a bit confused about the timing with the COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) announcement that's coming this week. Will my February payment automatically include the new COLA increase they're announcing now, or is the amount in my award letter fixed? The letter shows $2,380 monthly but doesn't mention anything about potential adjustments. I'm trying to budget accurately for next year and want to know if I should expect a bit more. Anyone know how this works with new benefits starting after a COLA announcement?
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Diego Rojas
Yes, your February 2025 payment will include the COLA announced this week. Social Security applies the COLA to all benefits paid in January 2025 and after, regardless of when you were approved. The amount in your award letter is based on current rates, but they'll automatically adjust it when the new COLA takes effect. You'll likely receive an updated letter in December showing your new amount with the COLA increase applied.
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Chloe Martin
•That's such a relief! Do you know if they'll send the updated letter automatically or do I need to request it? And roughly when in December should I expect it?
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Anastasia Sokolov
congrats on ur approval!! i started collecting last year and yes u will get the new cola. they usually send a letter in december with the new amount. mine came around the 15th last year.
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Chloe Martin
•Thanks! Good to know about the timing of the letter. I'm hoping the COLA is decent this year!
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StarSeeker
Are you SURE about this? When I started benefits in 2023, my SSA rep told me I wouldn't get the COLA for the first year because my benefit calculation was already recent. Something about how they only adjust if your initial calculation was from a previous year??? Now I'm worried I missed out on money I should have gotten!!!
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Sean O'Donnell
•That's incorrect information you received. ALL Social Security beneficiaries receive the COLA regardless of when they began receiving benefits. The only exception would be if you started receiving benefits in January of the year the COLA takes effect - then your benefit amount already includes the increase. You might want to contact SSA to review your payment history.
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Zara Ahmed
My husband and I both get Social Security and we always receive our COLA notice in early December. It shows both the current amount and what the new amount will be starting January. Very straightforward. The COLA applies to everyone receiving benefits, doesn't matter when you started.
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Chloe Martin
•Thank you for sharing your experience! That's exactly what I needed to know.
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Luca Esposito
Don't count on reaching anyone at SSA to ask about this. I tried calling them for THREE WEEKS about my COLA question last year and kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold for hours!!! Their phone system is completely broken and the offices are always full. Total disaster!
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Nia Thompson
•I had the same problem but found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual SSA agent in under 10 minutes. It basically navigates their phone system for you and calls you back when an agent is on the line. Totally worth it when you need answers fast. I used it to confirm my COLA increase last year after getting a confusing letter. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU or just go to claimyr.com - saved me hours of frustration.
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Anastasia Sokolov
btw the COLA is rumored to be around 2.5% this year. not great but better than nothing!!
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Chloe Martin
•That would add about $60 to my monthly amount. Not huge but definitely helps with inflation!
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Sean O'Donnell
One important clarification: The COLA being announced this week will be effective for payments received in January 2025. Since Social Security pays benefits in the month following the month for which they are due, your February 2025 payment (which is for January 2025) will indeed include the COLA increase. You should receive a notice called "Your New Benefit Amount" in December that will show: 1. Your current benefit amount 2. The new benefit amount after COLA 3. The date the new amount takes effect This is sent automatically to all beneficiaries - no need to request it.
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StarSeeker
•Wait I'm confused now. If benefits are paid the month AFTER they're due, and my first check is coming February 2025, does that mean it's actually for January 2025? And would include COLA?
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