
Some Americans will receive two Social Security payments in November due to a calendar quirk, but it’s not the windfall it might seem.
At a Glance
- SSI recipients will receive two payments in November due to December 1 falling on a Sunday
- The second payment is an early disbursement of December’s funds, not additional aid
- Social Security’s 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is set at 2.5%
- On average, retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting January 2025
November’s Double Payment Explained
In a rare occurrence, some Social Security beneficiaries will see two payments hit their accounts this November. The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically disburses payments on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of each month, with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments arriving on the first of the month. However, since December 1 falls on a Sunday this year, SSI recipients will receive their usual November payment on the 1st and an early December payment on November 29th.
It’s crucial to understand that this double payment doesn’t equate to extra money. The second deposit is simply an early disbursement of December’s funds. This quirk in the payment schedule affects approximately 7.4 million Americans who collect SSI benefits. While it may provide a temporary boost to bank accounts, recipients should budget carefully, knowing that no SSI payment will arrive in December.
2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment Finalized
As the calendar quirk affects November’s payments, the Social Security Administration has also announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025. The COLA will be 2.5%, the smallest increase since 2021. This adjustment translates to an average increase of about $50 per month for Social Security retirement benefits, starting in January 2025. “Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool” stated Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley
The 2025 COLA is less than the 3.2% adjustment implemented in 2024 but aligns closely with the historical average of 2.6% over the past two decades. This decrease in the adjustment percentage reflects the cooling of inflation rates, as price growth has slowed considerably since the peak of the recent inflationary period.
Impact on Beneficiaries
While the 2.5% increase may seem modest, especially compared to the substantial 8.7% bump in 2023 (the largest since the early 1980s), it still provides some relief for older Americans facing rising costs of living. However, many seniors may continue to struggle with their expenses, as the increase might not fully offset the cumulative effect of inflation on their budgets.
The COLA mechanism, designed to help Social Security benefits keep pace with inflation, continues to play a crucial role in maintaining the purchasing power of retirees and other beneficiaries. As the economy navigates through periods of inflation and stabilization, these annual adjustments remain a vital safeguard for millions of Americans relying on Social Security as a significant part of their income.
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Why some Americans will receive an extra Social Security check in November