Many retirees look forward to Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which for 2025 is 2.5%. The COLA technically takes effect in December, with beneficiaries seeing updated payments in January.

January's Social Security payments are worth up to $4,873 for the highest-income earners who retire at age 70.

Social Security's 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) took effect in January. Benefits will increase 2.5% this year, the smallest pay bump for seniors since 2021. Indeed, more than half of retired workers surveyed by The Motley Fool in October said the COLA was insufficient.

Retirees will receive their Social Security checks depending on when their birthday falls, and the checks are sent out in three waves.

Technically speaking, this is the 2024 COLA, as it goes into effect in December 2024. However, because Social Security is paid a month in arrears, this increase will be reflected in the payment that beneficiaries receive in January. For this reason, it is often referred to as the 2025 COLA.

Here is the January Social Security payment schedule for retirement, disability, and survivor beneficiaries, as well as those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for 2025 is a 2.5% increase. That means the monthly benefits checks for more than 72.5 million Americans will see their lowest annual bump in four years.

Social Security recipients will need to wait an extra two months to reach full retirement age starting in 2025. For people born in 1959, the full retirement age will now be 66 years and 10 months. The full retirement age is based on birth year.