If you’ve been hearing about a $1,622 Social Security check in 2025, here’s what it actually means: that’s the average monthly benefit for retirees who turn 65 this year. Thanks to a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) that kicked in this January, millions of seniors are seeing a little extra in their checks to help them keep pace with rising prices.
And with over 71 million Americans receiving Social Security benefits in 2025, even small changes like this ripple out in a big way.
So, What’s a COLA—and Why Should You Care?
COLA stands for Cost-of-Living Adjustment. Think of it as the Social Security Administration’s way of making sure your benefits still stretch as far in 2025 as they did the year before. It’s based on inflation numbers from something called the CPI-W—basically, a measure of how prices are changing for everyday folks.
The 2.5% bump this year might not sound like much, but in a world where groceries and gas keep creeping up, every little bit helps. Here’s why COLA is important:
- It protects your purchasing power over time.
- It’s automatically applied every January—no extra work needed from you.
- It sets the stage for how your benefits could grow in the future.
Who Gets the $1,622?
Not everyone receives the same amount. That $1,622 is just an average. What you’ll actually see in your account depends on a few important factors:
1. Your Work History
Social Security looks at your top 35 years of earnings. The more you earned (and the longer you worked), the higher your benefit.
2. When You Start Taking Benefits
If you’re 65 and collecting now, you may be claiming a bit early. Most people’s Full Retirement Age (FRA) is 66 or 67, and claiming before that can reduce your check by up to 30%.
Example:
- Mary retired at 62 with average earnings and gets $1,200/month.
- John waited until 67 and earned more, so he’s pulling in $1,822/month.
- If both are 65 today and just started collecting, Mary could now be receiving $1,622 after holding off a few years.
3. What Kind of Benefits You’re Getting
Whether you’re receiving retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits matters. And if you qualify for more than one type—say, you’re a retired worker who also qualifies as a widow—you might see a boosted monthly amount.
When Will You Get Paid?
If you’re already getting Social Security, here’s the April 2025 payment schedule:
- April 9 – If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th
- April 16 – Birthdays from the 11th to the 20th
- April 23 – Birthdays between the 21st and 31st
- April 3 – For anyone who started receiving benefits before May 1997
Major Update: WEP and GPO Are Gone (Finally!)
Big news for public sector workers! As of January 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act officially repealed two controversial rules: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
These rules used to cut benefits for folks like:
- Teachers
- Firefighters
- Police officers
- Other public workers with pensions outside of Social Security
Now, those affected will start receiving higher monthly payments starting in April—and many will also get retroactive pay averaging $6,710 for what they missed out on in the past. Over 3.2 million retirees are seeing the difference—many of them women who were disproportionately impacted.
Want to Make Sure You’re Getting Every Penny?
Here’s how to make sure that $1,622 (or more) lands in your account:
✅ Log in to your Social Security account at SSA.gov/myaccount
✅ Double-check your earnings record—mistakes happen, and they can cost you
✅ Set up direct deposit, especially since paper checks are on the way out by September 30, 2025
5 Costly Mistakes to Avoid with Social Security
- Claiming too early – Starting at 62 might sound tempting, but it could lower your monthly payment for life.
- Trusting rough estimates – Always check your actual numbers through the SSA portal.
- Overlooking spousal benefits – Even if you never worked, you could get up to 50% of your spouse’s benefit.
- Forgetting retroactive eligibility – If WEP or GPO affected you, call SSA—you might be due a big refund.
- Ignoring tax planning – Depending on your income, up to 85% of your Social Security could be taxable.
Smart Moves to Maximize Your Benefits
If you’re planning ahead, here’s how the pros do it:
- Wait until age 70 to start benefits if you can—it’s the best way to get the biggest monthly check.
- Coordinate with your spouse to make sure you’re both getting the best deal.
- Use tools like the SSA Retirement Estimator to run the numbers.
- And if it feels overwhelming, don’t go it alone—talk to a financial planner who specializes in Social Security.
Want help figuring out your exact benefit? I can help you calculate or explore scenarios if you’d like!