Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026

Oct 24, 2025 /

Baltimore, MD—The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today that Social Security benefits, including Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January.

A Better Online SSA Experience

Sep 24, 2025 /

SSA is sincerely trying to get people use their online services. Following the DOGE uproar earlier in the year, they made it clear that you can easily communicate with SSA by phone or in person at a local office, and offered stats showing shorter hold times, etc. Now they are going all out to get people to use the website. The new redesign does seem to have some improvements, offering more services on the homepage than the previous bare-bones website presented.

An important part of your Savvy Social Security Planning services is helping clients navigate SSA. I hope you are encouraging them to come to you with their questions (and you come to me!) in order to avoid long hold times and general aggravation. You can also give them general tips on how to deal with SSA as discussed in this newsletter.

Coming Soon: SSA Announces New Security Feature

Aug 4, 2025 /

Starting this month, people who have a Social Security account will be able to sign up for a personal Security Authentication PIN which should speed up telephone interactions with SSA. The PIN will add an extra layer of security protection and eliminate about three minutes of waiting time once connected with a telephone representative. The establishment of the PIN is entirely voluntary and it is not necessary to visit a field office.

Of course, online is still the preferred way of interacting with SSA. Only those who will be calling SSA and who want to save a bit of time on the phone will need to establish the PIN.

Read the SSA Press Release.

New Ways to Think About Social Security Claiming

Sep 25, 2025

SSA Updates Identity Verification Procedures… Again

Mar 27, 2025 /

In its continuing DOGE-inspired efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, the Social Security Administration is changing the way it is verifying identity. People who want to file an application for benefits or change their direct-deposit information will now need to verify their identity through their Social Security account using login.gov or ID.me. If they are unable or unwilling to do this, they must visit a local office to have their identity verified in person by an SSA representative, making an appointment in advance by calling 800-772-1213. Please see this newsletter for more on how to open a Social Security account.

ssa.gov/myaccount: What Clients Need To Know

Mar 20, 2025

SSA Reinstates Telephone Identity Verification Procedures

Apr 10, 2025 /

In another head-spinning reversal, SSA has cancelled plans to require identity verification either online or in person for people applying for benefits or changing their direct deposit information. Yesterday the Washington Post reported that SSA would be installing a new fraud detecting tool that flags potentially fraudulent incoming calls to SSA, and that unless a caller is flagged, identity may once again be verified over the phone.

Social Security Turns 90

Aug 28, 2025

SSA Sign-in Process To Change Soon

Jul 31, 2024 /

The Social Security Administration is transitioning to a new login system starting in September. Everyone who set up their Social Security accounts before September 2021 will need to log in with their username and password and follow the prompts to switch to a Login.gov account. The agency is making the changes to simplify the sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to online services. People who already have a Login.gov account do not need to take any action.

How Accurate Is Your Client’s Benefit Estimate?

Sep 11, 2025

In Case of Death

Apr 24, 2025

When Can Social Security Be Garnished?

May 8, 2025

How Might DOGE Impact Social Security?

Feb 6, 2025

SSA’s Accomplishments During Trump’s First 100 Days

Apr 29, 2025 /

The SSA Press Office has been in overdrive lately squelching rumors and impressing upon the public the Trump Administration’s commitment to Social Security. In this latest press release it lays out myriad accomplishments over Trump’s first 100 days in office. Here’s a summary.

Progress on the Social Security Fairness Act

SSA has made significant strides in implementing the Social Security Fairness Act, having paid over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments to more than 2.2 million individuals affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset.

Cost avoidance and efficiency initiatives

SSA has identified over $1 billion in cost avoidance or efficiencies for fiscal year 2025 through new, common-sense approaches in areas such as payroll, information technology, contracts and grants, real property, printing, travel, and purchase card policies.

Social Security Announces Expedited Retroactive Payments and Higher Monthly Benefits for Millions

Feb 25, 2025 /

Actions Support the Social Security Fairness Act

Today, the Social Security Administration announced it is immediately beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a “non-covered pension”) because they did not pay Social Security taxes. The Social Security Fairness Act ends WEP and GPO.

“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible.”

SSA’s New Acting Commissioner Promises Transparency, Explains All Those 150-year-olds

Feb 19, 2025 /

Following the sudden resignation of Michelle King on February 16 due to a clash with Elon Musk and his DOGE team over access to Social Security’s extensive database of personal information including Social Security numbers, bank account information and, in the case of disability beneficiaries, medical records, Leland Dudek was appointed new Acting Commissioner. Dudek, who was a manager in charge of Social Security’s anti-fraud office, will serve while Trump’s nominee for Commissioner, Frank Bisignano, is being vetted by the Senate.

In a statement Dudek promised openness, transparency, and accountability. He is supportive of DOGE’s efforts to identify fraud, waste.

2025 Social Security COLA Set at 2.5%

Oct 10, 2024 /

Social Security checks will be going up by 2.5% in 2025. The increase will take effect in December and be reflected in January checks. Clients will receive their personalized COLA notice by mail in December, or earlier in their online account if they sign up for text or email alerts.

The Social Security wage base will be going up to $176,100, from the current $168,600. This increase is based on the rise in the national average wage index, which rose by 4.43%. The earnings test threshold will be $23,400 ($1,950 per month), up from $22,320 ($1,860 per month). The FRA-year threshold will be $62,160 ($5,180 per month, up from $59,520 ($4,960 per month).

COLA Facts

Nov 22, 2024

How To Help Clients Cope with SSA Staffing Cuts

Mar 6, 2025

Receiving Social Security benefits while outside the United States

Jul 18, 2024