Social Security Benefits In September 2025: Average And Maximum Payouts From the SSA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has implemented a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for the 2025 fiscal year.

This rise, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), affects retirement, disability, survivor benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

This adjustment stems from CPI-W data spanning the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2024. The SSA rounded the calculated increase to the nearest tenth, arriving at the 2.5% determination.

These increased benefit amounts took effect with payments in 2024, which beneficiaries receive in 2025.

Similarly, SSI payments reflect the update in January 2025 (though issued December 31, 2024).

Comparison with Prior Years

• The 2.5% COLA for 2025 is modest compared to:
  • 3.2% in 2024
  • 8.7% in 2023—one of the highest hikes since the early 1980s
• While it’s lower than the decade’s average (~2.6%), it still offers a meaningful monthly boost.
• On average, beneficiaries saw increases of about $50 per month, though actual figures fluctuate based on benefit category.

Automatic Benefit Increase

Recipients do not need to take any action to receive the COLA—it’s applied automatically, and new amounts appear in regular monthly deposits.

Maximum Benefits & Retirement Age Effects

• For those retiring at full retirement age (67 for anyone born in 1960 or later) in 2025, the maximum monthly benefit is capped at $4,018, assuming a 35-year high-earning history.
• This amount hinges on achieving an Average Indexed Monthly Income (AIME) of $13,689.
• The Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) uses “bend points” of $1,226 and $7,391 for 2025.
• Early retirement at age 62 reduces benefits by around 30%, lowering the monthly payment to approximately $2,831.
• Waiting until age 70 garners delayed retirement credits (8% per year), raising the max monthly benefit to about $5,108.

Other 2025 Thresholds & Maximum Taxable Earnings

• The maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax (OASDI) have increased to $176,100.
• Key thresholds include:
  • Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): $1,620/month (non-blind), $2,700 (blind).
  • Trial Work Period (TWP): $1,160/month.

Average OASDI & SSI Benefit Amounts as of July 2025

• OASDI (retirement, disability, survivors):
  • Overall average: $1,800–$2,000 across ~69.9 million beneficiaries.
  • Retired workers: $2,006.69 on average (~53.17 million people).
  • Dependents:
    • Spouses: $954.19
    • Children: $924.47
  • Survivors: $1,574.28, varying by household. (Note: original user data aligns with these AARP-based estimates.)
• Disability:
  • Disabled workers: $1,582.38
  • Spouses: $445.21
  • Children: $508.91

SSI Maximums & Averages in 2025

• Maximum Federal SSI payments for 2025:
  • Individual: $967
  • Couple: $1,450
• However, the average received: $716.09, across ~7.395 million recipients.
• By age:
  • Under 18: approx. $836.16 average.
• There’s a large cohort receiving both OASDI and SSI, boosting their overall income.
• Resource limits for SSI eligibility remain:
  • $2,000 for individuals
  • $3,000 for couples.

The 2025 COLA of 2.5%, grounded in CPI-W data from Q3 2023 to Q3 2024, ensures beneficiary income retains purchasing power amid inflation.

This automatic adjustment influences retirement, disability, survivor, and SSI programs, and uplifts monthly payouts across categories.

While more restrained than prior years, it still provides meaningful relief.

Crucial thresholds—such as SGA, TWP, PIA bend points, and taxable maximum earnings—have likewise been updated. Overall, these changes reflect a balance of economic realities and social support objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions