The $5,700 Social Security Myth: What You Need to Know About 2025 Increases

You’ve probably seen a lot of buzz around a $5,700 increase in Social Security, SSI, and SSDI benefits for 2025. It sounds like a dream come true, right? But before you get too excited, let’s break down the facts and see what’s really going on with Social Security in 2025.

The Real Increase in 2025

In 2025, Social Security, SSI, and SSDI recipients will see a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). This is a standard increase meant to help keep up with inflation, so beneficiaries can better handle rising costs, like groceries, rent, and healthcare.

Here’s the deal: While $5,700 sounds like a huge amount, it’s not how much most people will be getting in an increase. That number is misleading and often misquoted. Let’s look at the actual changes:

• Social Security Payments: The average monthly payment for retirees in 2025 will go up by around $47. The maximum benefit for someone who has earned the highest income for 35 years and waits until age 70 to claim could be $5,108. But this is the maximum, not the typical increase.

• SSI Payments: If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you’ll see your payment increase to $967 per month for individuals and $1,450 for couples.

• SSDI Payments: Most people receiving SSDI will see an average increase to around $1,580 a month. The maximum SSDI payment, for those who’ve worked with high lifetime earnings, could be about $4,018.

So, Where Did the $5,700 Number Come From?

The $5,700 increase that’s circulating online is a big misunderstanding. It likely refers to the maximum possible benefit, not a COLA increase.

Some sources might be talking about a total combined amount of benefits for a couple or a family, but this isn’t an increase you’ll see for most people. The $5,700 figure might even be a misquote of yearly totals, rather than a monthly amount. So, while that amount could be possible for some, it’s far from what most recipients will actually get.

What Can You Expect in 2025?

Here’s what you can really expect in 2025 based on your benefits:

• Social Security: For those who claim at Full Retirement Age (67), the average increase will be about $47 per month, bringing the monthly payment to roughly $1,976. If you wait until age 70 to claim, your monthly payment will be higher than this.

• SSI: Those receiving SSI will see their payments rise to $967 for individuals and $1,450 for couples in 2025.

• SSDI: SSDI recipients will also benefit from a 2.5% increase, with the average monthly payment rising to $1,580. High earners may get up to $4,018, but this is for those who’ve paid in the most throughout their careers.

Why Your Payment Might Be Different

So why is there so much confusion? Well, not everyone qualifies for the maximum benefit. If you’ve had a high earnings history and worked for 35 years, you might be one of the lucky ones to get closer to the higher amounts. But for the rest of us, it’s usually a smaller increase—like that average $47 per month.

It’s important to remember that COLA is based on the current amount you’re receiving, so it’s not a flat increase for everyone. The more you’ve earned and the longer you’ve worked, the higher your benefits will be.