The translation of the heading to English is: "Moderate adjustment in social security benefits for 2025 causes mixed feelings.

After months of speculation, the U.S. Social Security Administration has finally released the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) factor for the year 2025. This increase will take effect from December 2024 and impact the January 2025 payments. At 2.5%, the COLA increase is lower than in previous years. While many expected this due to the slowing inflation, it remains a disappointment for those who have struggled with their Social Security payments so far. Nevertheless, it should be noted that COLA is not a fixed amount, but is calculated as a percentage. This means that each Social Security beneficiary will see different increases depending on the current amount of their individual payments. A simple way to estimate one's own increase is to look at the average values. The 2.5% adjustment is close to the 20-year average of 2.6% and meets the expectations of the Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior group. For individuals, this means that adding 2.5% to their previous payments provides a rough estimate for the coming year. By early December, Social Security recipients will receive a personalized notification of their exact benefits for 2025 by mail or through their social security account. This recalculation gives them the opportunity to begin planning their budget for the next year. The potential tax liability on Social Security benefits should also be considered if income exceeds certain thresholds. While Donald Trump advocates for the abolition of this tax, affected individuals should prepare for the payment. Tax adjustments can be made through W-4V forms, allowing deductions directly from the checks. Territorial tax burdens also remain an issue, as nine states tax the Social Security benefits of some seniors. Therefore, careful calculation is advisable. For those who feel uncertain about their retirement savings, there is hope. Lesser-known strategies and tricks for maximizing Social Security benefits could make a significant difference in retirement income. A better understanding of how to optimize one's own Social Security benefits could allow many to enter retirement with a sense of security.