Your July Social Security Just Got a COLA Raise. Are You Getting the Full Increase?

If your Social Security deposit felt a bit bigger this year, you’re not imagining it.

Thanks to the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), every check you’ve received since January has included a 2.5% increase, helping retirees and disability beneficiaries stretch their budgets in a year where essentials remain costly.
 

Why Social Security Payments Increased in 2025

Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) adjusts benefits to reflect inflation, using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as a benchmark.

For 2025, the COLA was set at 2.5 percent, a decrease from 2023’s 8.7 percent and 2024’s 3.2 percent, as inflation has cooled compared to pandemic-era spikes.

This COLA ensures your Social Security benefits maintain purchasing power for essentials like food, rent, and healthcare.

 

What the 2025 COLA Means for Your Check in July

There is no special increase happening this July, but the COLA adjustment applied since January remains in effect for your July payment.

Here’s what it looks like in dollar terms:

• Before COLA (2024 average): $1,927 per month for individuals

• After 2.5% COLA: An increase of about $49, raising the average to $1,976 per month

• For married couples: Average increased by around $75, from $3,014 to $3,089 per month

Over the year, this means:

• Individuals will receive roughly $588 extra in 2025

• Couples will receive around $900 more over the year

Don't miss: New SNAP Payment Amounts with 2.4% COLA: Expect Changes this October 2025
 

When Will You See the Payment in July?

The SSA’s payment schedule for July remains the same:

• Those born in the first third of the month receive payment early in July.

• Others receive payment on staggered dates throughout the month based on their birth date.

There are no special schedule changes for July 2025.

Read: When Will You Get Your Social Security Check in July 2025? Here's the Full Payment Schedule

 

Why This COLA Increase Still Matters

While a $49 monthly increase may not seem like a lot, it helps retirees and disabled Americans keep up with rising prices, especially for essentials.

Even with inflation cooling, costs for housing, food, and healthcare remain high, making every extra dollar from COLA crucial for fixed-income households.

 

What’s Ahead for 2026 COLA?

Early projections suggest the 2026 COLA may be around 2.2 percent, continuing the trend of modest increases as inflation stabilizes.

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