New Social Security Rule Will Force In-Person Visits for Some Retirees

Almost 69 million Americans currently depend on Social Security during retirement. As a recipient, perhaps you also hope to supplement your Social Security income as much as possible to have a comfortable retirement.

Unfortunately, additional changes were announced this week that will affect Social Security benefits further, making it more difficult to make claims or changes to them if you aren't technologically savvy. 

From a new verification process to many offices closing around the U.S., here are some key changes to benefits you need to know in 2025.

If you need to change your direct deposit information or seek benefits claims, you once had the option to call and verify your identity over the phone. This is no longer the case, however, as you will soon be required to verify your identity online or in person. 

If you are unable to use the Social Security Administration's (SSA) online platform, you can start your claim for benefits via a phone call, but your claim will not be completed until you verify your identity online or in person.

 According to the SSA, the easiest way to complete your claim or make changes in one interaction is to request an in-person appointment. 

This new process will take effect on March 31, 2025. 

According to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), at least 47 rural Social Security offices will be closing their doors in states such as Florida, Texas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Louisiana. 

If you live in these rural areas and cannot access the SSA's online platform, you must travel to other locations to change your benefits.

This adds another level of stress after the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided low-income households discounted service bills to have internet access, was shut down in June 2024 due to insufficient Congress funding. 

The SSA plans to introduce a new verification system called Account Verification Service to prevent fraud and instantly verify bank information when making direct deposit changes. 

On the bright side, this new system will expedite making these changes to one business day, whereas it would previously take 30 days for these changes to process. 

The adjustment took effect in January 2025 for almost 69 million Social Security beneficiaries, while nearly 7.5 million Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients saw increased payments starting from December 31, 2024.

The taxable maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax has risen to $176,100. For workers under full retirement age, the earnings limit increased to $23,400, with $1 deducted for every $2 earned above this amount.

Those reaching full retirement age in 2025 face a higher limit of $62,160, with $1 deducted for every $3 earned over that threshold until their birthday month. There are no earnings limits for workers at or beyond full retirement age.

It's essential to consider how this adjustment will impact your overall financial situation and your ability to retire stress-free.

For those enrolled in Medicare, premiums for Part B — which covers doctor visits and outpatient treatments — are typically deducted directly from Social Security payments.

The monthly Part B premium standard monthly Part B premium is $185.00 in 2025, an increase of $10.30 from $174.70 in 2024.

Individuals who collect Social Security while continuing to work before reaching full retirement age may see a portion of their benefits withheld depending on how much they earn.

In 2025, beneficiaries who haven't reached full retirement age and are still working have $1 withheld for every $2 in work income they receive above $23,400. In 2024, that amount was $22,320.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients must meet income requirements to maintain eligibility for benefits. In 2025, the threshold for most SSDI beneficiaries is an income of $1,620 a month per month, up from $1,550 in 2024.

For those receiving SSDI due to blindness, the limit has increased to $2,700 per month, $110 more than in 2024.

Social Security benefits have increased across the board in 2025 with the 2.5% COLA, including for widows, widowers, and disabled individuals.

The benefits of an average spouse of a retired worker have risen from $910 to about $933 per month.

Aged widows and widowers living alone have seen an increase from $1,788 to $1,832, while widowed mothers with two children have seen benefits rise from $3,669 to $3,761. 

Disabled workers with a spouse and children have had their benefits increased from $2,757 to $2,826.

Social Security benefits may be subject to federal taxes. The amount that's taxed is based on your combined income, which includes the sum of half your benefits plus total adjusted gross income and nontaxable interest.

For individual tax filers, up to 50% of benefits may be taxable if they have a combined income between $25,000 and $34,000. For couples filing jointly, this range is between $32,000 and $44,000.

If you earn above these thresholds, up to 85% of benefits may be taxable.

Those thresholds remain unchanged from year to year. That means that as your benefit income increases yearly with COLA adjustments, more of it may become taxable. That makes it harder to boost your bank account.

Social Security may seem complex, but understanding these changes can help you make informed financial decisions.

Equipping yourself with knowledge about identity verification, cost-of-living adjustments, Medicare, and taxes allows you to avoid making mistakes and create a more secure retirement.