The first piece of good news is that beneficiaries will see a 2.5% bump in benefits beginning in January, thanks to the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The average retiree collects just over $1,900 per month in benefits, which amounts to a raise of roughly $50 per month.

Now, with the year winding down, all Social Security retirees should mark Nov. 20 as another date to remember. Here's why.

Social Security's upcoming cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the smallest (by far) to arrive in years. And it's natural to be disappointed by a meager increase in your monthly checks. But when we look back at the data,

Last month, annual inflation rose by 2.6%, which means that it's already outpacing the 2.5% COLA seniors are in line for in 2025. If that trend continues, Social Security recipients could end up losing out on tons of buying power.

Social Security is very popular with Americans. Large majorities of Democrats and Republican like the program and want it to continue with no cuts in benefits, no increase in costs to taxpayers, and no real reforms of any kind.

Social Security's rules are shifting in 2025 -- for better and worse. Seniors might benefit from a boost to their monthly benefits and a higher earnings-test limit. Some workers may be unhappy to learn that their Social Security tax burden is about to soar.

Social Security beneficiaries will soon experience a welcome change, with benefits slated to climb due to a cost-of-living adjustment. Recipients will see a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment in 2025, which is notably less than the 3.