The Social Security Administration announced a 2.5% boost to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2025, another rate drop versus last year’s increase of 3.2%. The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months ending in September 2024.

2025 Social Security benefits

For those contributing to Social Security through wages, the potential maximum income subject to Social Security taxes increases to $176,100. This represents a 4.4% increase in your Social Security taxes! What’s of interest here is the percent increase in income subject to tax is much higher than the benefit increase. Here’s a recap of the key dollar amounts:

What it means for you

• Up to $176,100 in wages will be subject to Social Security taxes, an increase of $7,500 from 2024. This amounts to $10,918.20 in maximum annual employee Social Security payments (an increase of $465!), so plan accordingly. Any excess Social Security taxes paid because of having multiple employers can be returned to you as a credit on your tax return.
• For retired workers receiving Social Security retirement benefits, the estimated average monthly benefit will be $1,976 per month. This is an average increase of $49 per month.
• SSI is the standard payment for people in need. To qualify for this payment, you must have little income and few resources ($2,000 if single, $3,000 if married).
• A full-time student who is blind or disabled can still receive SSI benefits if earned income does not exceed the monthly and annual student exclusion amounts.

Social Security & Medicare rates

The Social Security and Medicare tax rates do not change from 2024 to 2025. The rates are 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare. There is also a 0.9% Medicare wages surtax for single taxpayers with wages above $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers) that does not reflect in these figures. Please note that your employer also pays a 6.2% Social Security tax and a 1.45% Medicare tax on your behalf. These amounts are reflected in the self-employment tax rate of 15.3%. Self-employed individuals pay both halves of the tax rate.

Contact our RRBB advisors if you have any questions.