Social Security

Americans can agree on one thing: Social Security benefits should not only be preserved but strengthened — even if that means they must pay more to address the program's long-term financing gap.

The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 6, 2025, by President Biden. The bill will boost monthly Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million people.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has officially released its annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) figures for 2025.

Proponents of raising retirement age argue that it would help address the Social Security deficit. Opponents say there are better ways to fix the program. Most Americans, polls show, are against raising the retirement age.

Keeping track and making sense of government policies and presidential candidates’ promises can be daunting during any election year. This year is no exception.

On July 12, 2024, the SSA announced a change affecting many account users. Those who created a my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, must transition to a different type of online account known as a Login.gov.

Effective September 30, 2024, a new Social Security Administration rule is likely to allow more elders to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Some current SSI recipients may see an increase in their monthly benefit amount.

In late March 2024, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act. The Act centers on changing the formula that the SSA uses to calculate Social Security benefits for older adults.

By law, the Social Security Administration must attempt to recoup any overpayments it has issued, even if they were made by mistake. In many cases, the SSA would withhold entire checks from recipients it had overpaid.