The Social Security program can be complex to navigate, so it is often helpful for retirees to mark key dates on their calendars, and Nov. 20 is one of the most important ones.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recommends people create their personal Social Security account by Nov. 20 to access important features like estimating future benefits, managing current benefits, requesting a replacement Social Security card, receiving a 1099 tax form, and checking application status.
Check Your 2025 COLA
In October, the SSA announced a 2.5 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for 2025, raising Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 72.5 million Americans.
The 2.5 percent COLA is the smallest in four years. In September, the average Social Security check for retirees was about $1,921, or $23,052 annually. The increase will raise the average monthly benefit to $1,969, or $23,628 annually.
Social Security is often a major part of a retiree’s income. As of June 30, nearly nine out of 10 people over 65 received benefits, which account for about 30 percent of income for this age group, according to the SSA.
“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.
You can access your 2025 COLA notice through your online account, allowing you to view it in December, ahead of the mailed version.
For the first time this year, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a newly designed, simplified COLA notice. This one-page notice uses clear, personalized language, providing exact dates and dollar amounts for each person’s new benefit and any deductions, making it easier to find essential information.
You can also opt out of receiving mailed notices by signing in to or creating a my Social Security account.
Payments Before Black Friday
There will be a Social Security payment for retirees on Nov. 27, two days before Black Friday, giving recipients time to use their benefits for holiday purchases. Payment amounts vary:
- Up to $4,873 if you filed at age 70, worked 35 years in SSA-covered jobs, and earned the taxable maximum
- Up to $3,822 if you filed at Full Retirement Age, worked 35 years, and earned the taxable maximum.
- Up to $2,710 if you filed at age 62, worked 35 years, and earned the taxable maximum.
Average payment: $1,924 as of October 2024.
On Nov. 29, the SSA will issue the final SSI payment for November, with 7.5 million recipients expected to receive an average of $697. Maximum SSI amounts are $943 for individuals and $1,415 for married couples, according to the SSA.