In light of these numbers, it's easy to see why a 2.5% COLA for 2025 seems like a slap in the face. But you should also know that these recent COLAs were fueled by a period of ram

But when we look back at the data, it becomes clear that a 2.5% Social Security COLA isn't so terrible. In fact, it's a lot more generous than some of the COLAs beneficiaries have seen in the past. In 2024, Social Security benefits rose by 3.2%. The year prior, they increased by 8.7%. And in 2022, a 5.9% COLA came through.

Qualified workers are entitled to retirement benefits at age 62. But anyone who collects Social Security before full retirement age (FRA) will have a portion of their benefits withheld if their income exceeds certain limits known as the retirement earnings test (RET) amounts.

A good rule of thumb to figure out your retirement savings needs is to come up with an annual income you expect to need, subtract your annual Social Security benefit, and then multiply the remaining number by 25.

The second round of November’s Social Security payments, worth up to $4,873 for the highest-income earners who retire at age 70, will go out to the second group of retirees in five days. Here is everything you need to know about this month’s Social Security payments, which go out in three rounds.

Even if you're in line for the maximum possible benefit, you might be surprised at how much more you can get by waiting.

The next round of November's Social Security payments are headed out to recipients in a few short days. If you're expecting a check this coming week, we'll tell you when you'll get it.

David Bowie might not want to be a richer man, but most of us would like to be richer, and annual Social Security-related changes can help, to a modest degree. Here are some important things to know about Social Security changes for 2025.