After months of speculation about a 2025 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), seniors finally have their answer. Benefits will be rising by 2.5% in the new year. That's not the smallest Social Security raise in history -- not even close.

This double SSI check is due to Dec. 1 falling on a Sunday this year. Recipients, who usually receive their checks the first of the month, will get their November payment on Nov. 1, and their SSI payments for December will be distributed on Friday, Nov. 29, according to the SSA calendar.

Social Security is constantly evolving in terms of the amount of money recipients get and what they qualify for, but it hasn't undergone many major structural changes since the first check was