2025 SSI Overhaul: What Every Recipient Must Prepare For

More than 7 million people receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a Social Security program for the disabled and those with low income. If you are a recipient, the administration has just released new updates for 2025.

The year 2025 is full of adjustments and increases across the board to help beneficiaries combat the effects of inflation. With costs up just about everywhere across the board, the increased figures will provide a bit of relief.

Here’s what you can expect next year, per the Social Security Administration.

Cost-Of-Living Adjustment

Inflation has been a killer for a lot of people, but especially those with low income. To accommodate the changes, Social Security is increasing the SSI payments by 2.5% beginning in January 2025.

This will amount to an average of $50 across the board and an increase in monthly payments for both individuals and married couples.

Maximum Benefit Increasing

In addition to a COLA, the SSI maximum benefit is also increasing in 2025. In 2024, the maximum anyone could receive was $3,822 per month.

That figure is rising to $4,018 per month beginning in January. That’s a $196 per month increase. This only applies to those who retire at the full age of 67. The figure will be lower for those who retire earlier.

Taxable Earnings Max Increasing

There is currently a limit on how much of a person’s income is taxable in regards to Social Security. As of 2024, that limit was $168,600. Any income earned above that amount wasn’t taxed.

In 2025, the maximum taxable earnings increases to $176,100. According to Social Security, the change was brought on due to an increase in the average earnings in the US.

Earnings Test Exempt Amounts Adjustments

Some people elect to receive their Social Security retirement benefits—with penalty—ahead of full retirement age. In 2024, you could earn $1,860 per month, or $22,320 per calendar year, without the SSA withholding your benefits. In 2025, that figure will increase to $1,950 per month, or $23,400 per calendar year.

If you retire at the full age, 67 for those born after 1960, you could make $59,520 per year. In 2025, that increases to $62,160.

Average Disabled Workers and Spousal Benefits Increasing

The Social Security Administration pays out monthly benefits to qualifying folks who are widowed or disabled. Those figures will increase in 2025.

Widowers and widows living alone will see an average $50 increase in benefits. Those who have two children will see nearly $100 increases and disabled workers who have dependents will see around a $50 increase.