Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) isn't the only notable change to America's top retirement program in 2025.

A Social Security cost of living increase offers retirees options such as managing costs, saving or enjoying small splurges.

Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5% increase in their benefits starting in 2025. This cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the lowest since January 2021, which saw a 1.3% adjustment. The average recipient will see an increase of about $50 per month.

But a 2.5% COLA for 2025 stings because it's the smallest one to arrive in years. At the start of 2024, seniors on Social Security saw their benefits increase by 3.2%. And the year prior, Social Security recipients got a record-breaking 8.7% COLA. So a raise of just 2.5% seems awfully meager by comparison.