Retirees Celebrate Bigger Social Security Checks This March Thanks to COLA Boost

In March, as movie stars gather for the glitzy Oscars event, almost 70 million retired folks in the U.S. have their own big moment to look forward to. 

They'll be getting their Social Security checks, which will be a bit fatter this year thanks to a boost called the COLA, or Cost-of-Living Adjustment. This means they'll get more money than they did last year.

Social Security checks are sent out based on a set schedule. The date you get yours depends on your birthday:
 

• If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your check arrives on March 1.
• People who've been getting checks before May 1997, or those receiving both Social Security and SSI, get theirs on March 3.
• If you were born from the 1st to the 10th of a month, your check is sent on March 12.
• Born between the 11th and 20th? Look out for your check on March 19.
• And if your birthday falls from the 21st to the end of the month, your check comes on March 26.

These payments usually go straight into your bank account, which is faster and safer.

So, how much more will retirees get in March 2025? Well, the average Social Security benefit is about $1,976 per month. But if you're at full retirement age, the highest amount you can get is $4,018 per month. 

And for those who wait until they're 70 to retire, it goes up to $5,108 per month. This boost is meant to help you keep up with rising costs and inflation.

Didn't get your payment when you expected? Here's what to do:
 

• Wait a bit. Sometimes, it takes three business days because of how banks process payments.
• Check your account again. It might have been deposited under a different name than you expected.
• Talk to your bank. They might be able to tell you what happened.
• If you still can't find it, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, or visit a local office for help.

Just like the Oscars bring excitement to movie fans, these boosted Social Security checks bring a sense of relief and happiness to millions of retirees. With the COLA increase, managing everyday expenses becomes a bit easier. 
And if there's an issue getting your check, just follow the steps above to sort things out.

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