How the 2025 Social Security Adjustments Will Impact Your Wallet

Article Highlights:

  • The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

  • History of Automatic Cost-Of-Living Adjustments

  • Impact on Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries

  • Changes in FICA and Self-Employment Tax

  • Quarter of Coverage

  • Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts

  • Maximum Social Security Benefit at Full Retirement

As we step into 2025, millions of Americans are set to experience a notable change in their Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. This adjustment is crucial for beneficiaries, as it helps them keep pace with inflation and maintain their purchasing power. In this blog, we will delve into the details of this increase, its implications on various aspects of Social Security, and how it affects related taxes and benefits.

The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) - The COLA is an annual adjustment made to Social Security benefits to counteract the effects of inflation. It is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures changes in the cost of living. For 2025, the COLA is set at 2.5 percent, slightly below the average increase of 2.6 percent over the past decade. This adjustment will result in an average increase of about $50 per month for Social Security retirement beneficiaries starting in January.

Each year the Social Security Administration publishes a Fact Sheet that includes the many values affected by the annual cost of living adjustment.

History of Automatic Cost-Of-Living Adjustments - The purpose of the COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is not eroded by inflation. It is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year a COLA was determined to the third quarter of the current year. If there is no increase, there can be no COLA.

The CPI-W is determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Department of Labor. By law, it is the official measure used by the Social Security Administration to calculate COLAs.

Congress enacted the COLA provision as part of the 1972 Social Security Amendments, and automatic annual COLAs began in 1975. Before that, benefits were increased only when Congress enacted special legislation.

Beginning in 1975, Social Security started automatic annual cost-of-living allowances. The change was enacted by legislation that ties COLAs to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

For comparison, the following are COLA adjustments for recent years:

  • January 2016 -- 0.0%

  • January 2017 -- 0.3%

  • January 2018 -- 2.0%

  • January 2019 -- 2.8%

  • January 2020 -- 1.6%

  • January 2021 -- 1.3%

  • January 2022 -- 5.9%

  • January 2023 -- 8.7%

  • January 2024 -- 3.2%

  • January 2025 -- 2.5%

Impact on Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries - Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see this increase reflected in their payments. Additionally, approximately 7.5 million SSI recipients will begin receiving increased payments on December 31, 2024.

Changes in FICA and Self-Employment Tax - The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax, which funds Social Security and Medicare, remains unchanged in terms of rates for 2025. Employees will continue to pay a combined rate of 7.65 percent, which includes 6.20 percent for Social Security (OASDI) and 1.45 percent for Medicare (HI). Self-employed individuals will pay a total of 15.30 percent, reflecting both the employee and employer portions.

However, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, known as the taxable maximum, will increase from $168,600 in 2024 to $176,100 in 2025. This means that higher earners will contribute more to Social Security, reflecting the increase in average wages.

Quarter of Coverage - The quarter of coverage, also known as a Social Security credit, is a measure used to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits. In 2025, the amount of earnings required to earn one credit will increase from $1,730 to $1,810. Workers can earn up to four credits per year, and these credits are essential for qualifying for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts - For individuals who have not yet reached full retirement age, the retirement earnings test determines how much they can earn before their Social Security benefits are reduced. In 2025, the exempt amount will increase to $23,400 annually, or $1,950 monthly, up from $22,320 annually, or $1,860 monthly, in 2024. For every $2 earned above this limit, $1 in benefits will be withheld.

Maximum Social Security Benefit at Full Retirement - The maximum Social Security benefit for those retiring at full retirement age will also see an adjustment. While the exact amount can vary based on individual earnings history, the increase in the taxable maximum and the COLA will generally lead to higher maximum benefits for new retirees in 2025. This adjustment ensures that benefits remain aligned with inflation and wage growth. For 2025 the maximum is $5,180 per month up from $4,960 per month in 2024.

As the cost of living continues to evolve, these adjustments play a crucial role in ensuring that Social Security remains a reliable source of income for millions of Americans. Whether you are a current beneficiary or planning for retirement, staying informed about these changes is essential for making the most of your Social Security benefits. Please contact this office with any questions.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

Comprehensive Business Accounting Services

For business in Chicago and the surrounding areas, we provide an integrated set of services that work together to help you grow your business.

Bookkeeping and Financial Reporting

Reliable, organized books are the backbone of good decision-making. We maintain accurate records, prepare meaningful financial statements, and help you read the story your numbers are telling.

Business Tax Preparation & Tax Planning

As a CPA for small businesses, we prepare tax returns for sole proprietorships, partnerships, S corporations, and C corporations with accuracy. We also help you develop a tax strategy to keep more of what you earn.

Payroll

We help you pay your team accurately and on time while staying current with federal, Illinois, and local payroll tax obligations, filings, and deadlines, so payroll is one less thing to worry about.

Business Consulting

Good accounting shows where your business stands; a good consultant helps you decide where to take it next. From entity selection to expansion planning, we're a steady financial sounding board for the decisions that shape your company's future.


Why Chicago Businesses Choose Serenity

Because we operate as an integrated tax and wealth practice, our business accounting services align with the broader financial decisions that matter to you and your company. When your business tax strategy connects to your personal financial landscape, you will be able to make decisions with fewer blind spots.

Clients near Chicago and across the country turn to Serenity Tax & Accounting for support that is comprehensive, coordinated, and proactive. We believe accounting should bring you clarity. We pride ourselves on calm communication, plain-language explanations, and responsive service throughout the year, not just during tax season.

When you work with our firm, you're building a relationship with a team that understands your business, anticipates what's coming, and helps you move forward with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Software is a tool, not a substitute for judgment. A CPA reviews your books, catches errors, prepares accurate statements, and finds tax savings the software won't flag. We work alongside the system you already use.

Ideally, well before tax season. The biggest savings come from year-round planning, not filing-time scrambling. We work with you throughout the year, so there are no surprises in the spring.

As an integrated division of Serenity Wealth Management, your accounting, tax strategy, and broader financial goals work together, keeping your business and personal decisions aligned with fewer blind spots.

We support Chicago-area sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, S corporations, and C corporations, tailoring our bookkeeping, payroll, and tax services to the size and complexity of your business.

Serenity Tax & Accounting We'd love to chat!
Please feel free to use the Contact Us button below or our Ai powered chat assistant.
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully