Retirees Get a Surprise Boost: How Much You’ll See in Your April 9 Social Security Check

Millions of Social Security recipients are seeing a slightly larger check hit their bank accounts this week, thanks to the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025. If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, your payment is arriving today,  April 9,  and it comes with a 2.5% raise.

That’s right: the Social Security Administration’s annual COLA means retirees are now getting a modest increase in their monthly benefits to help keep pace with inflation.

 What Does the 2.5% COLA Mean for You?

Let’s break it down. This year’s COLA is smaller than last year’s 3.2% and significantly lower than the whopping 8.7% bump from 2023. But every bit helps when prices for groceries, utilities, and prescriptions are still stubbornly high.

Here’s what the new numbers look like:

• The average monthly benefit is now around $1,976, up from $1,927 — that’s about $49 more per month.

• For retired couples receiving benefits together, the average jumps to $3,089, an increase of about $75.

• If you’re retiring at age 62 in 2025, the maximum monthly benefit you could receive is $2,831, but actual amounts vary depending on your earnings history and when you start collecting.

 Who Gets Paid and When?

Social Security payments are staggered throughout the month depending on your birthdate:

• April 9: Birthdays from the 1st to 10th

• April 16: Birthdays from the 11th to 20th

• April 23: Birthdays from the 21st to 31st

If you started receiving benefits before May 1997, your payment was already deposited on April 3.

Keep an Eye on Other Changes

While the COLA bump is good news, some of that extra cash may be offset by rising Medicare premiums. Medicare Part B premiums are set to increase, which could shrink your take-home benefit slightly.

Also, there’s more change on the horizon. Thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, certain retirees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) may see a jump in their benefits this year. That repeal kicked in recently, and April could be the first month affected beneficiaries notice a difference.

What You Should Do Next

If you’re receiving Social Security, make sure to:

• Check your bank account for your April payment.

• Review your updated benefits via your My Social Security account online.

• Stay informed about how Medicare and legislative changes might impact your checks moving forward.

Even though the COLA increase is smaller this year, it still brings meaningful relief to many retirees juggling higher costs. Every dollar counts — and for millions, this April boost is a welcome one.