If you’re collecting Social Security benefits or planning to apply soon, 2025 could bring a significant boost to your monthly payments. Thanks to two major updates—the Social Security Fairness Act and the 2025 COLA adjustment—millions of Americans may receive more than $1,000 in added monthly income.
Whether you’re a retired public worker, surviving spouse, or standard beneficiary, these new rules could impact your payments in a big way.
What Are the 2025 Social Security Increases?
Two distinct programs are raising Social Security payments this year:
- Social Security Fairness Act
This landmark law removes penalties that reduced benefits for many retired public sector employees. Some people may see monthly increases of up to $1,190, depending on their situation. - 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
A 2.5% COLA was applied to all Social Security beneficiaries beginning in January 2025, which means an average increase of $50 per month for nearly 68 million Americans.
These changes bring historic improvements in how Social Security supports retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors.
Social Security Fairness Act Eligibility
The Fairness Act impacts those who were previously affected by two rules: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
You may qualify if you:
- Worked in public service jobs (teachers, police officers, firefighters, etc.) where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, but later worked in jobs that did
- Are a surviving spouse whose spousal or survivor benefits were reduced or eliminated due to receiving a government pension
This change potentially affects over 3.2 million Americans who previously faced reduced benefits.
COLA Eligibility
Nearly all Social Security beneficiaries automatically receive the COLA increase, including those on:
- Retirement benefits
- Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Survivor benefits
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
No special action is required to receive the COLA adjustment.
Fairness Act Payment Schedule
As of July 7, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) had already completed payments for more than 3.1 million eligible people, totaling over $17 billion—five months ahead of schedule.
- Retroactive Lump Sum: Those impacted by the old rules received back pay starting January 2024
- New Monthly Amounts: Updated monthly payments began in April 2025 for most beneficiaries
COLA Increase Timing
The 2.5% COLA was added to January 2025 payments, which were received in February 2025 due to SSA’s regular processing schedule.
How Much More Could You Receive Monthly?
Here’s an overview of average benefit increases under each program:
| Payment Type | Average Monthly Increase |
|---|---|
| Social Security Fairness Act | $360 average (up to $1,190+) |
| 2025 COLA Adjustment | $50 average |
Your total monthly boost may vary based on the type of benefit, work history, and pension amount, but some individuals will see $1,000+ monthly increases.
For Fairness Act Benefits:
- Review your employment history to see if you worked in a job where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes
- Determine if your benefits were previously reduced by WEP or GPO rules
- Call SSA at 1‑800‑772‑1213 and say “Fairness Act” when prompted
For General Social Security Updates:
- Create or log into your mySocialSecurity account at www.ssa.gov
- View your current benefit status, upcoming payments, and any notifications
Haven’t Applied Yet? Now Might Be the Time
Many individuals postponed applying for Social Security because WEP and GPO penalties made their benefits too small to be worthwhile. With the Fairness Act now eliminating those reductions:
- You may receive full benefits if you apply now
- Your application date determines when payments begin, so act soon to avoid missing retroactive amounts
In Ohio alone, nearly 230,000 individuals are expected to benefit from the end of WEP and GPO rules.
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Surviving Spouses:
If you were previously denied spousal benefits, now is the time to reapply, as the new law may now restore what you were owed.
Key Things to Remember
- No reapplication is needed if you’re already receiving Social Security and your address and banking info are up to date.
- SSA automatically applies the changes and issues new payment amounts
- Avoid scams—SSA will never ask for personal info over unsolicited calls or emails
- If you pay your Medicare premiums out-of-pocket, continue doing so until SSA sends an official notice that your new benefit amounts will cover them
These changes mark one of the largest Social Security improvements in decades, especially for public workers and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need to reapply for benefits to receive the Fairness Act payment?
No, if you’re already receiving reduced benefits. But if you never applied because of WEP or GPO, you should apply now.
Q2: When will I get my retroactive payment?
Most retroactive payments were sent by July 2025, though some complex cases may take longer.
Q3: Will these increases affect my taxes?
It depends on your total annual income. Social Security benefits may be partially taxable. Consult a tax advisor for guidance.
