The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 is indeed a most notable change in Social Security for 2025, but it's not an Earth-shattering one. The COLA, effective in December 2024, is just 2.5%. So if you were collecting, say, $2,000 per month, you'd now be getting $2,050.

Tens of millions of Americans rely on Social Security benefits for a substantial portion of their retirement income. Not only is Social Security a valuable source of retirement income, with the average retired worker receiving about $1,975 per month, but it is also the only inflation-protected source of income many retirees have.

The first round of February’s Social Security payments, worth up to $5,108 for the highest-income earners who retire at age 70, will go out to the first group of retirees in seven days. Here is all you need to know about this month’s Social Security payments,

The difference in claiming early versus waiting is magnified when you qualify for the maximum possible benefit.

Many retirees have an idea of what age they want to start claiming Social Security. George C., now 77, started claiming his at 65. He's a retired worker who thought he'd cracked the code to a