Will my Social Security widow's benefits for 2025 include the COLA increase?

Yes, you'll get the COLA! When SSA calculates your widow's benefit starting in January 2025, it will automatically include any COLA that was announced in October 2024 (for 2025). You don't need to do anything special to receive it - it's built into everyone's benefits, even if you're just starting. The SSA typically announces the COLA in October for the following year. So the amount they quoted you might not include the 2025 COLA if they calculated it before the announcement. Your actual payment could be slightly higher once they apply the COLA percentage.

congrats on the widows benefit! i got mine last year and yes the COLA was in there from day 1. just remember the estimate they give u might change a little bit when they finalize everything

The $1,874 estimate they provided may or may not include the 2025 COLA, depending on when you applied and how they calculated it. Here's how it works: 1) If you applied recently and they calculated your benefit before the October 2024 COLA announcement, then no, that estimate wouldn't include the 2025 COLA 2) All beneficiaries receive the COLA starting with their January payment, regardless of when they started receiving benefits 3) The COLA is applied to your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the base figure used to calculate all benefits The calculation for widow's benefits is complex because it depends on several factors: your age at application (reduction for filing before your FRA), whether your deceased spouse took benefits early, and the maximum family benefit limit. If budget planning is critical, I'd recommend calling SSA after the 2025 COLA is announced (usually mid-October 2024) to get the updated amount.

When I started getting my retirement benefits 2 years ago, I had the same question! The payment amount they first told me was actually wrong and I had to call them 3 different times to get it straightened out. So definitely double-check in December before your payments start.

I've been trying to reach SSA for weeks about a similar issue with my widow's benefits calculation and keep getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally tried a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Regarding your question - yes, you'll get the COLA from day one of your benefits. The estimate they gave you probably doesn't include it yet though, since the 2025 COLA won't be announced until October 2024.

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF WIDOWS BENEFITS ARE TAXABLE?? I'm in a similar situation and just realized I haven't even thought about taxes! Sorry to hijack your thread but figured since we're both dealing with widows benefits...

listen the SSA people dont even know half the time when you call they told me one thing and then my actual benefit was different so dont stress about the exact number now just know itll have whatever COLA they approve

I appreciate everyone's responses! I'm going to wait until after the COLA announcement in October and then call the SSA to get an updated estimate. It sounds like I'll definitely get the COLA increase included in my January payment, which is reassuring. I'm still a bit confused about how they calculate widow's benefits though. Is the $1,874 they quoted me based on my deceased husband's record alone, or does it also factor in my own work history somehow?

I went through this exact same process last year when I applied for widow's benefits at 62. The estimate they gave me initially did NOT include the COLA, but when my payments actually started in January, the COLA was automatically applied. One thing I wish someone had told me - keep all your paperwork from the application process! When I got my first payment statement, I compared it to my original estimate and could see exactly where the COLA increase was added. It made me feel more confident that everything was calculated correctly. Also, don't be surprised if your first payment is slightly delayed in January. Mine came about a week later than expected, but SSA said that's normal for new beneficiaries as they finalize all the calculations. The important thing is that you WILL get the COLA from day one - it's automatic for all Social Security recipients regardless of when you start receiving benefits. Good luck with everything, and I'm sorry for your loss. The whole process can feel overwhelming, but the SSA folks were actually pretty helpful once I got through to someone knowledgeable.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Peyton. I just went through a similar situation with my mother's widow's benefits application last year, so I wanted to share what we learned. The good news is that yes, you'll definitely receive the COLA increase starting with your first payment in January 2025! The COLA applies to all Social Security beneficiaries regardless of when they start receiving benefits. However, the $1,874 estimate they gave you likely does NOT include the 2025 COLA since it hasn't been announced yet (that typically happens in mid-October). So your actual monthly payment will probably be a bit higher than that estimate. One thing that really helped us was creating a simple spreadsheet to track all the information. We noted the original estimate, then when the COLA was announced in October, we calculated what the new amount should be (you can find COLA calculators online). When her first payment came in January, we could easily verify that everything was calculated correctly. Also, don't hesitate to call SSA in November or December to get that updated estimate with the COLA included - it really does help with budgeting and peace of mind. The representatives are usually pretty good about walking you through how they arrived at the final number. You're asking all the right questions, and it shows you're being smart about planning ahead. Wishing you all the best during this difficult time.

I'm going through a similar situation with my father's survivor benefits right now, so I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here. From what I've learned through my own research and talking to SSA, the COLA is indeed automatic for all beneficiaries starting in January, regardless of when you began receiving benefits. The tricky part is that estimates given before the October COLA announcement won't include it. One thing I discovered that might be helpful - you can actually check the SSA website around mid-October when they announce the COLA percentage. They usually put out a press release with the exact percentage increase, and then you can calculate roughly what your new amount should be by multiplying your current estimate by that percentage. Also, I've found that calling SSA first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) tends to have shorter wait times than calling later in the day. Might save you some frustration when you call for that updated estimate! Best of luck with everything, and I'm sorry for your loss. It's clear you're being very thoughtful about planning ahead, which will serve you well.