With the 2025 COLA raise, retirement and SSDI benefits, as well as SSI benefits, will go up by about 2.5%. But the most that workers can get from Social Security if they leave at Full Retirement Age has gone up a lot more.
In fact, the most you can get from Social Security at FRA in 2024 is $3,822. People who get this highest payment in 2025, on the other hand, will get more than 2.5%.
2025 COLA Brings New Maximum Social Security Benefits at FRA
The new COLA Fact Sheet for 2025 says that the most that workers can get each month will be $4,018 if they file at Full Retirement Age. The most that can be borrowed at FRA right now is $3,822, so there will be a $196 increase.
It went from $3,822 to $4,018—a huge rise of 5.13 percent. You can see that the people who are eligible for the biggest rewards can get a bigger boost.
People who wait to apply for Social Security can get points that are paid later. If they file when they are full retirement age, they will get an extra 24%. Also, the most you can get if you file when you are 70 is $5,108.
How to Achieve $4,018 in 2025 After the COLA Increase
Remember that if you want to get the most out of your Social Security income with the COLA boost, you have to follow the rules set by the Agency. You won’t be able to get these benefits if you have a job and don’t pay your taxes to SSA, for instance.
It’s also important how many years you’ve worked. If you have only worked for ten years and earned 40 work credits, you can get a small retirement check at age 62. But to get $4,018 you will need to work for many more years. The age is also very important. That is, you won’t be able to qualify if you don’t file at FRA.
In the United States, people who make a lot of money are more likely to get a Social Security check this big. To sum up, you must:
- file at FRA
- work in jobs that pay enough Social Security taxes
- earn the contribution and benefit base (at least for 35 years)
- work for 35 years or more
