But the truth is that your monthly benefit is never truly locked in, because each year, Social Security recipients are eligible for an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

But a 2.5% COLA for 2025 stings because it's the smallest one to arrive in years. At the start of 2024, seniors on Social Security saw their benefits increase by 3.2%. And the year prior, Social Security recipients got a record-breaking 8.7% COLA. So a raise of just 2.5% seems awfully meager by comparison.

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.

Gen Xers say they are worried they may not receive their benefits at retirement age if Social Security funds are depleted.

A new year brings new changes to the Social Security program. Increasing income limits could result in a larger tax bill for high-earning workers. That said, there is a silver lining these individuals can look forward to in 2025.

Various news stories about Social Security have made headlines throughout the year, ranging from questions concerning its solvency to arguments over how the program should be funded. Particulars

Most nonretired U.S. adults, 73%, are worried they won’t get their promised Social Security benefits when they retire.