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COLA December 2025 Adjustments – How Much More Will Seniors Receive?

December 2, 2025 - By littlemakerskpl

As inflation continues to affect everyday expenses, millions of American seniors are eagerly looking toward the December 2025 COLA adjustments to understand how much more they will receive in their Social Security benefits. Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) ensure that Social Security retirement, SSDI, and SSI benefits keep pace with rising prices—and December is the month when beneficiaries get their final 2025 payments and receive confirmation of what their 2026 benefit amounts will be.

While the actual COLA increase applies starting January 2026, December is crucial because seniors receive:

Their final benefit amount with the 2025 COLA,
Their updated 2026 benefit letters,
And for SSI recipients—an early January payment on December 31 that includes the new 2026 COLA.

This complete guide breaks down everything seniors need to know about COLA December 2025 adjustments, including expected raise amounts, who qualifies, exact December payment dates, and how much more seniors will receive in 2026.

What Is COLA and Why Does It Matter?

COLA stands for Cost-of-Living Adjustment, a yearly increase applied to Social Security benefits. It is tied directly to inflation.
When prices go up, COLA helps seniors maintain financial stability by increasing monthly benefits proportionally.

COLA applies to:

Social Security Retirement
SSDI (Disability Benefits)
Survivor Benefits
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announces each year’s COLA in October, with the increase applied starting January of the following year.

What Is the COLA for 2026?

The official COLA for 2026 is announced in October 2025, but economists expect it to be moderate, based on cooling inflation trends throughout 2025.

Expected COLA range for 2026:

2.3% – 2.8% increase

This would mean:

Average Social Security retiree: +$40–$55 per month
Average SSDI recipient: +$30–$45 per month
Average SSI recipient: +$20–$35 per month

Actual amounts may vary depending on Medicare Part B premium adjustments.

Does COLA Affect December 2025 Payments?

✔ Yes — for SSI recipients only

SSI beneficiaries receive their January 2026 payment early, on December 31, 2025, and this payment includes the new COLA increase.

❌ No — for Social Security Retirement, SSDI, and Survivors

These beneficiaries will not see the 2026 COLA increase until January 2026.

However, seniors will receive their updated 2026 benefit notices in December, explaining exactly how much more they will receive starting January.

December 2025 Payment Schedule (With COLA Impact)

Here are the confirmed payment dates for December 2025:

✔ December 1 — Regular SSI Payment

This is the final SSI payment before the COLA.

✔ December 3 — Early Social Security Beneficiaries

You receive this date if:

You started benefits before May 1997,
Or you receive SSI + Social Security together.

✔ December 10 — Birthdays 1st–10th

All Social Security retirement, SSDI, and survivor beneficiaries with birthdays in this range get paid here.

✔ December 17 — Birthdays 11th–20th

✔ December 24 — Birthdays 21st–31st

A Christmas-week payment, often critical for holiday budgets.

✔ December 31 — January 2026 SSI Payment (Includes COLA)

This is the very first payment reflecting the 2026 COLA increase, arriving one day early due to the New Year’s Day federal holiday.

How Much More Will Seniors Receive With the 2026 COLA?

Below is a breakdown of estimated increases based on the expected 2.3%–2.8% COLA.

⭐ Estimated 2026 Monthly Benefit Increases

Social Security Retirement

Current average: ~$1,915
Expected increase: $45–$55
New average: $1,960–$1,970

SSDI Disability Benefits

Current average: ~$1,540
Expected increase: $35–$45
New average: $1,575–$1,585

Survivors Benefits

Current average: ~$1,300
Expected increase: $30–$40
New average: $1,330–$1,340

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

Individual:

Current: ~$943
Increase: $22–$27
New: ~$965–$970

Couple:

Current: ~$1,415
Increase: $30–$40
New: ~$1,445–$1,455

SSI recipients will see this increase in December 2025, while everyone else sees it in January 2026.

Who Qualifies for the COLA Increase?

✔ All seniors receiving Social Security Retirement

✔ All SSDI disability beneficiaries

✔ All survivor benefit recipients

✔ All SSI recipients

✔ Adults and children with disabilities on SSI or SSDI

✔ Representative payees receive the increase for eligible beneficiaries

There are no income, age, or application requirements—it is applied automatically.

How Seniors Will Be Notified of Their COLA Increase

In December 2025, every beneficiary will receive:

✔ A benefit update letter by mail

✔ A digital update in their “my Social Security” account

✔ Approval statements for SSI recipients with COLA amounts

This document includes:

Your new monthly benefit amount
Your total increase
Medicare Part B deduction changes
Your payment dates for 2026

How Medicare Part B Affects COLA for Seniors

One critical factor in calculating your final benefit increase is Medicare Part B premiums.

If Medicare premiums rise in 2026—which is very likely—your COLA increase may be offset slightly.

Example:

COLA increase: +$55
Medicare Part B increase: -$10
Net benefit increase: +$45

Your final amount for 2026 is shown in your December benefit letter.

Why December Is Critical for Budget Planning

December payments and COLA updates help seniors:

Budget holiday expenses
Plan for rising 2026 costs
Understand Medicare premium changes
Predict total income for the upcoming year
Adjust housing, utilities, and medication spending

Seniors living on fixed incomes benefit greatly from knowing their exact 2026 income in advance.

How to Avoid December Payment Delays

Because of holidays, delays can happen. To avoid disruptions:

✔ Use direct deposit

✔ Update bank and address info before December

✔ Avoid bank account changes late in the month

✔ Check payment status in MySSA

✔ Call SSA only after waiting 3 business days

Paper check recipients should expect possible holiday postal delays.

Final Breakdown — COLA December 2025 Adjustments

✔ SSI recipients get the first COLA-adjusted payment on December 31, 2025

✔ Social Security Retirement, SSDI, and Survivors get COLA starting January 2026

✔ Expected COLA increase: 2.3%–2.8%

✔ Seniors may see $20–$55 more per month depending on benefit type

✔ December includes the last 2025 benefit payment for most recipients

✔ All seniors receive official 2026 benefit letters in December

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COLA December 2025 Adjustments: How Much Will Seniors Receive?

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Get the full December 2025 COLA breakdown. Learn how much seniors will receive, payment dates, SSI early deposits, and expected 2026 benefit increases.

FAQs — COLA December 2025

1. Do seniors get a COLA increase in December 2025?

Only SSI recipients get the COLA early on December 31. Other seniors receive it starting in January 2026.

2. How much will Social Security benefits increase in 2026?

Seniors may see a $40–$55 increase for retirement benefits, depending on the final COLA percentage.

3. When will SSDI beneficiaries see their COLA increase?

The January 2026 SSDI payment will include the new COLA rate.

4. Does Medicare reduce the COLA increase?

Yes. Higher Medicare premiums can reduce the net increase seniors receive.

5. When do seniors receive their updated 2026 benefit letters?

Letters are mailed and added to MySSA accounts in December 2025.