It’s official – list of the top 25 Social Security changes for this year that affect all Americans

There are new changes to Social Security every year, but this year might have more changes for people who get it than the last few. More than 72 million people in the US depend on their monthly benefits, so they need to know about all the changes that are coming and how they will affect their finances.

They also need to be ready to deal with any problems that may come up this year. Here is the full list of 25 facts about Social Security that will help you understand it and its benefits better.

The top 25 Social Security changes for 2025 were confirmed by the SSA

1. Regardless of the reward you receive, you are always compensated for your benefit first.
2. You are deemed “independently entitled” to ex-spousal payments if you have been divorced for more than two years, both of you are at least sixty-two, and you are eligible for them even if your ex-spouse is not receiving them.
3. Benefits from Social Security are always diminished if you take them before reaching full retirement age.
4. Social Security uses your highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings to calculate your full retirement benefit.
5. The amount of your primary insurance, not what you now receive, is used to compute spousal benefits.
6. You do not need to wait until you are sixty-two to apply for survivor benefits.
7. To be eligible for benefits, you must be 62 for the full month.
8. You are automatically enrolled in Medicare if you currently receive Social Security benefits.
9. A divorce decree cannot waive your entitlement to Social Security benefits. Social Security only cares if you have been married for ten years or longer.
10. You might choose to start receiving Social Security benefits early and save all of your benefits until you begin receiving your other government pension if you have a non-covered pension (another government pension).
11. You might want to apply for benefits early if you have children under the age of 19.
12. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) automatically converts to retirement benefits when you reach your full retirement age (FRA).
13. Benefits for survivors and spouses are not the same. When your spouse dies, you are not eligible for spousal benefits. A survivor benefit will now be given to you.
14. Spousal benefits are only available to you if your spouse is already getting them.
15. To maintain your benefit, you must be alive for the full month. If the deposit is in your bank account at the time of your death, Social Security will automatically return it.
16. Common law marriages are recognized by Social Security, but keep in mind that each state has its own set of laws.
17. Within a year, you have the option to withdraw your application and reimburse the money you were given.
18. You are still eligible to get survivor benefits if you get married again after turning 60.
19. Create your Social Security account online at ssa.gov to verify your earnings record.
    There’s no reason to delay collecting until after you turn 70.
20. The greater of the two bonuses will be given to surviving spouses. The benefit decreases.
21. You will immediately receive surviving benefits if you are receiving spousal benefits. You must apply for surviving benefits if you are not getting spousal benefits.
22. Social Security payments are not offset by military retirement benefits.
23. Social Security will send you a questionnaire to verify your eligibility if you reside abroad. To continue receiving benefits, you must respond.
24. Apply two to three months before you want your benefits to begin.

This is how much the Social Security benefits will increase this year

The cost of living adjustment announced on October 10th will mean that Social Security checks for retired workers, survivors, disabled Americans, and people who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will go up by 2.5% every year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because of this yearly increase, people who are eligible will get the following amounts in 2025:

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