A 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment increase will mean an extra $50 a month for most Social Security and SSI recipients.

The 2025 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) came in at just 2.5%. That's well under the 3.2% retirees got last year and far less than what many were hoping for. The high inflation over the last few years has made it difficult for retirees to afford their basic expenses,

Declining inflation led to the lowest cost-of-living adjustment since 2020, with the 2025 COLA set to rise 2.5%.

A 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment, Medicare Part B premiums and tax liabilities are key changes to watch for that affect 2025 Social Security benefits.

The Social Security program undergoes several changes each year to keep benefits aligned with wages and inflation. It is crucial that retired workers and other beneficiaries understand those changes. Social Security is often a major source of income, so misconceptions and knowledge gaps can lead to serious financial planning mistakes.

With that as the backdrop, although I'm not retired yet, those days are on my radar. Here's what I'm planning to do, based on what I'm seeing now. Feel free to borrow my inflation-beating retirement strategies for yourself.