When you receive your 2025 Social Security payment is determined, with a few exceptions, by your date of birth. However, if you received Social Security before May 1997 or are receiving both Social Security & SSI, Social Security is paid on the 3rd and SSI on the 1st. If your payment date falls on a federal holiday or weekend, you can expect to receive that month’s payment on the weekday immediately prior.
The official COLA increase for 2025 is 2.5%, and it mirrors the forecast by Kiplinger economist David Payne. The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment estimates have been rising, and The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) still projects a COLA of 2.7%
The official COLA should be announced by mid-October.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The average monthly social security check in 2025
In August 2025, the average Social Security monthly check for all retirement beneficiaries was $2,008.31, according to the Social Security Administration's Monthly Snapshot (SSA). If you are interested in knowing more about SS benefit payments and how your check measures up to peers, take a look at what the average Social Security check is by age.
Using that amount for illustrative purposes, a COLA of 2.7% in 2026 would result in an average monthly increase of $54.22 or an annual average increase of $650.69.
Schedule of Social Security benefit payments in 2025
Here are all the confirmed payment dates for retirees based on the Social Security payment schedule for 2025. Just find the day of the month you were born on the left side of the table. Then, look under each month for the specific payment date.
Birth date on | MONTH | MONTH | MONTH |
|---|---|---|---|
Birth date on | January | February | March |
1st – 10th | Wednesday, January 8 | Wednesday, February 12 | Wednesday, March 12 |
11th – 20th | Wednesday, January 15 | Wednesday, February 19 | Wednesday, March 19 |
21st – 31st | Wednesday, January 22 | Wednesday, February 26 | Wednesday, March 26 |
Birth date on | April | May | June |
1st – 10th | Wednesday, April 9 | Wednesday, May 14 | Wednesday, June 11 |
11th – 20th | Wednesday, April 16 | Wednesday, May 21 | Wednesday, June 18 |
21st – 31st | Wednesday, April 23 | Wednesday, May 28 | Wednesday, June 25 |
Birth date on | July | August | September |
1st – 10th | Wednesday, July 9 | Wednesday, August 13 | Wednesday, September 10 |
11th – 20th | Wednesday, July 16 | Wednesday, August 20 | Wednesday, September 17 |
21st – 31st | Wednesday, July 23 | Wednesday, August 27 | Wednesday, September 24 |
Birth date on | October | November | December |
1st – 10th | Wednesday, October 8 | Wednesday, November 12 | Wednesday, December 10 |
11th – 20th | Wednesday, October 15 | Wednesday, November 19 | Wednesday, December 17 |
21st – 31st | Wednesday, October 22 | Wednesday, November 26 | Wednesday, December 24 |
Consider signing-up for a my Social Security account
You can use a my Social Security account to safely manage your personal Social Security information. If you are concerned about mail theft or travel often, you can opt out of mailed notices for those available online.
The account can help you manage tasks such as requesting a replacement Social Security card, checking the status of an application, estimating future benefits, and receiving updates about the COLA. This account can also be used to update your direct deposit information and get your Social Security 1099 form.
Related Content
-
Rally Fades on Mixed AI Revolution News: Stock Market TodayAll three main U.S. equity indexes opened higher but closed lower as a seven-session winning streak for the S&P 500 came to an end.
-
Stretch Your Holiday Shopping Budget Further with These Under-$50 Gifts That Don't Feel CheapAmazon October Prime Day is the perfect chance to nab some under-$50 gifts that feel more expensive than they are (because normally they would be).
-
I Work From Home, and These Are the Best Home Office Upgrades From October Prime Day and Anti-Prime Day SalesSpruce up your office for less with these sales. You could also qualify for tax credits with some upgrades.
-
6 Steps to Protect Your Retirement SavingsDon't let a shaky economy and volatile market derail your retirement. These moves will help ensure your money lasts as long as you do.
-
You're High-Net-Worth: Should Your Retirement Savings Be in a Swiss Bank?Swiss banks have long been a haven for the wealthy. Here's how to safeguard your retirement account in a Swiss bank — and whether you should.
-
Should You Replace Your Financial Adviser with AI?Financial Help Many people already ask AI for financial advice. But is it good enough to replace a human financial adviser?
-
The Spendthrift Trap: Here's One Way to Protect Your Legacy From an Irresponsible HeirA spendthrift clause in an estate plan can protect an inheritance from a financially irresponsible child's debts and poor decisions.
-
Five Things to Consider Now If You Want to Retire in 2026To retire with confidence in the year ahead, tackle these essential tasks right now.
-
What the Government Shutdown Means to RetireesDepending upon how long it lasts, a government shutdown can impact your daily life, including seeing family, managing your health, and enjoying your free time.
-
Savvy Savings Moves to Make Now – Or You Could Lose ThousandsDespite a rate cut and inflation, these moves can still help you reach your savings goals quickly.
