2025 COLA Update - $3,089 Payment for Senior Couples Both Receiving Social Security Benefits

Millions of Americans will see a 2.5% increase in their Social Security payments starting in 2025, thanks to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Although the higher payments won’t start until January 2025, retirees can already check their future benefit amounts. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will also send notices with updated payment details in December. Retirees can view these new amounts on their “my Social Security” account online.

Contents

1 Payments for Couples
2 Eligibility
- 2.1 Social Security Confirms First COLA Payment – Up to $5,108 and When It Will Be Issued
3 January Payment Schedule
- 3.1 New Child Tax Credit of $1,750 – Key Details, Eligibility, and How to Claim
4 2025 Benefits
5 Planning Ahead

Payments for Couples

As of January 2024, aged couples who both receive Social Security saw an average monthly benefit of $3,014, thanks to the previous year’s 3.2% COLA. With the 2025 COLA of 2.5%, the average payment will rise to about $3,089. While the increase is smaller compared to 2024, it still provides some financial relief to retirees amid inflation.

Eligibility

If both you and your spouse have worked at least 10 years and earned enough credits, you can start collecting Social Security benefits as early as age 62. Even if one spouse didn’t work or contributed less to Social Security, they might still qualify for spousal benefits. This option allows couples to maximize their total benefits, with one spouse receiving up to 50% of the other’s benefit.

January Payment Schedule

The COLA-adjusted benefits will begin rolling out on January 3, 2025. However, not everyone will receive their check on the same day. If you’ve been receiving Social Security benefits since before May 1997 or you’re also collecting Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will receive your payment on January 3.

If you don’t qualify for the January 3 payment, your benefit will arrive on one of the following Wednesdays based on your birthdate:

January 8: If you were born between the 1st and the 10th.
January 15: If you were born between the 11th and the 20th.
January 22: If you were born between the 21st and the 31st.

These staggered payment dates are part of the SSA’s effort to distribute benefits smoothly.

2025 Benefits

To find out exactly how much you will receive after the 2025 COLA increase, log into your “my Social Security” account. The SSA will also mail out official notices in December, but the online account offers a quicker way to access the information. Simply log in, navigate to the benefits section, and you can view your updated payment details.

Planning Ahead

While the 2025 COLA is smaller than the previous year’s 3.2% adjustment, it still helps retirees keep up with inflation. For many, Social Security is a key source of income, so staying updated on COLA changes and payment schedules is essential. By knowing when your payments are coming and how much you’ll receive, you can better plan your budget for the new year.

If you and your spouse qualify for the average $3,089 payment in 2025, it’s a good idea to factor this into your financial planning. Though Social Security is designed to help with living expenses, it may not cover all of your needs, so consider other sources of income or savings to supplement your retirement funds.

With the SSA making it easy to check your benefits online, there’s no need to wait until the paper notice arrives. You can plan ahead and start preparing your 2025 budget today.

Looking forward, understanding COLA and how it impacts your Social Security payments is key to maintaining financial stability in retirement. While the increases may seem small, they help ensure that benefits keep pace with inflation, allowing retirees to maintain their purchasing power.