This is the average Social Security benefit once the 2025 COLA goes into effect — and how you can get a much higher benefit for your retirement

It's official: After months of speculation, we finally have an answer about the Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2025. Next year, benefits will increase by 2.5% based on inflation data for the months of July, August and September.

At first glance, a 2.5% increase doesn't seem like much to write home about. But 2.5% is far from the smallest amount COLA Social Security recipients have ever received, so you can take some comfort in that.

You should also know that the 2025 Social Security COLA should increase the average monthly benefit by $49. And once it goes into effect, the average monthly benefit in January will be $1,976.

If that sounds like there isn't enough money to live on, you might be right. Some people May be able to generate an annual income of around $23,700 for yourself. But if that doesn't seem feasible for you, know that you can — and should — take steps to increase your monthly Social Security checks.

This will give you a higher monthly Social Security benefit

First, let's clarify one thing. It's best to avoid a situation where you retire on Social Security alone. These benefits generally replace about 40% of your pre-retirement wages if you earn an average income. And most seniors need much more replacement income to comfortably pay their bills.

However, if you are behind on your retirement savings or just want to secure the highest possible monthly pension, there are things you can do to make this happen. And the first is to make sure you work for at least 35 years.

This is because the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers your 35 highest years of earnings when calculating your monthly retirement benefits. For each year that you fall short of income within this top 35, a $0 amount will be included in your personal benefit calculation, reducing this number.

Second, make sure the SSA has accurate records of your earnings. If your income is reported too low, this could lead to a lower monthly benefit later.

You can access your annual income statement by creating an account on the SSA's website. If you discover any inaccuracies, report them.

Finally, delaying your Social Security eligibility past full retirement age will result in an increase in your monthly benefit. For every month you wait beyond this point, your benefit increases by 2/3 of 1%, or 8% per year. If you are aiming for a full retirement age of 67, filing at age 70 will mean securing a monthly pension that is 24% higher.

And you should also know that you can't accumulate late retirement credits that increase your monthly Social Security checks past age 70. So if you turn 70, it's worth applying immediately.

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Don't settle

The average monthly Social Security benefit of $1,976 in 2025 could be enough for some seniors to get by. But if it seems too small, know that there are ways to secure a much larger pension — and avoid the financial stress that many retirees face today.

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This is the average Social Security benefit once the COLA takes effect in 2025 — and how you can get a much larger benefit for your retirement was originally published by The Motley Fool