Mississippi
Thousands of seniors and people with disabilities in Mississippi will receive higher Social Security payments in 2025 – it's now official
Almost half a million retirees in Mississippi, along with thousands of others, are expected to see their Social Security benefits go up in the new year.
In October, the Social Security Administration announced a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by around $50 a month starting in January.
“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will rise in 2025, providing support to tens of millions of people as they manage expenses, even as inflation begins to ease,” Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley said in an October statement.
Over the past decade, COLA increases have averaged about 2.6%, with a peak of 8.7% in 2023. In 2024, the COLA increase was 3.2%.
Across the country, nearly 68 million Social Security recipients will see a 2.5% increase in their benefits. For the 7.5 million people receiving SSI, the higher payments will start on Dec. 31, 2024. Here’s an overview of Social Security in Mississippi.
How many people in Mississippi receive Social Security?
As of December 2023, 469,560 retirees in Mississippi were receiving Social Security benefits, according to official figures. Almost half a million residents!
In addition, 106,000 people were receiving Social Security disability benefits. Payments also went to 43,000 widows, widowers, and parents, 14,000 spouses, and approximately 59,000 children.
How old do I have to be to collect Social Security?
You can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your payments will be reduced if you claim them before reaching your “full” retirement age.
You can check the Social Security Administration’s website to see how your benefit amount changes depending on when you start taking it.
The full retirement age has gradually increased over time. For example:
- If you were born between 1943 and 1954, full benefits began at age 66.
- For those born in 1955, the full retirement age is 66 years and 2 months.
- It increases slightly for each birth year until it reaches 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
If you wait to claim your benefits past your full retirement age, up until age 70, your payments will increase.
People can sign up for text or email notifications to know when a new message, like their COLA notice, is available in their My Social Security account, according to Social Security.
Will Medicare and other benefits change?
Details about Medicare changes for 2025 can be found at their official website. Social Security beneficiaries who are also enrolled in Medicare can check their 2025 benefit amount in the Message Center of their My Social Security account.
How is the COLA calculated?
The Social Security Act outlines the process for calculating the COLA.
The annual COLA is based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which is determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics within the Department of Labor.
The Social Security Administration provides a list of annual COLA increases dating back to 1975. Before that, any increases had to be approved by Congress, and they didn’t occur yearly.
The 2025 COLA of 2.5% is the smallest adjustment since January 2021, when the increase was only 1.3%. Here’s a ranking of the different COLAs throughout history:
Lowest COLAs:
- 0%: 2010, 2011, 2016
- 0.3%: 2017
- 1.3%: 1987, 1999, 2021
- 1.6%: 2022
- 1.7%: 2013, 2015
Highest COLAs:
- 14.3%: 1980
- 11.2%: 1981
- 9.9%: 1979
- 8.7%: 2023
- 8%: 1975
- 7.4%: 1982
- 6.5%: 1978
- 6.4%: 1976
- 5.9%: 1977, 2022
How much of my paycheck is taxed to fund Social Security?
Each year, adjustments are made in January based on the rise in average wages. In 2025, the maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax will increase from $168,600 to $176,100.
- For employees and employers: Each pays 6.2% of wages up to the maximum taxable amount.
- For the self-employed: They pay 12.4% of their earnings up to the same limit.
In 2023, total income to the combined OASI (Old-Age and Survivors Insurance) and DI (Disability Insurance) Trust Funds reached $1.351 trillion. This included:
- $1.233 trillion from net payroll tax contributions
- $51 billion from taxes on benefits
- $67 billion from interest income
Members of a Fort Worth-area youth baseball team were among dozens of people rescued from rising floodwaters in Mississippi as Tropical Storm Arthur brought heavy rain and dangerous conditions to the Gulf Coast.
According to a release from Cajun Navy 2016, volunteers conducted multiple water rescues along the Biloxi River in Gulfport over the weekend as rainfall caused water levels to rise and flooded homes and roadways.
Among those evacuated were members of The Pickles, a Fort Worth-area youth baseball team.
Trey Williams, communications director for Cajun Navy 2016, said the rescue effort began when the mother of one of the players contacted the organization through Facebook seeking help. Initially, the situation did not appear urgent, but rising floodwaters overnight quickly changed conditions.
“They were just wanting to get to their game,” Williams said. “But overnight, the water rose a great bit, and it really did become more of an emergency situation where we needed to get them out of that house.”
According to Williams, volunteers working alongside the Gulfport Fire Department evacuated 12 players, nine adults, and three dogs; two German shepherds and a Labrador, from the flooded property.
The group was staying in an Airbnb near the Biloxi River when floodwaters began surrounding the elevated home. Williams said fast-moving water and changing currents created dangerous conditions for rescuers and those trapped inside.
“The most important thing was that water was very swift and fast-moving,” Williams said. “In that situation, it’s always best to get people out of harm’s way.”
The team rescue was one of several operations conducted by Cajun Navy 2016 during the storm response.
Williams said the rescue reflected the mission that inspired the organization after the historic Louisiana floods of 2016.
“It was neighbors coming together to help neighbors,” Williams said. “Every time we help somebody, they’re very grateful and relieved. In this situation, everybody was safe, everybody got out okay, and that’s why we’re here.”
A conversation on the history of Black cuisine in America
Black chefs and authors, Chef Marcus Samuelsson, Chef Thérèse Nelson, Chef David Rose, and Chef Ameer Natson discuss the origins of soul food and how Black chefs have contributed to American food.
Miguel Fernandez, NorthJersey.com
When you think of Mississippi food, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? The state has lots of iconic offerings, including biscuits, tamales and mud pie.
Talker Research surveyed 5,000 Americans for Hello Fresh. They talked to families about how much they cook at home, pride in local recipes and the states they think have the best cuisine in the U.S.
“Food has always been about more than just sustenance — it’s how we connect, share stories and pass down traditions,” said Michelle Doll Olson, senior manager of culinary development at HelloFresh US. “From California shrimp tacos and Minnesota Juicy Lucy, to Louisiana gumbo and New York bagels, the dishes that define each state carry generations of family memories and cultural pride.”
The average American reportedly cooks 12 meals at home every week. That’s three breakfasts, four lunches and five dinners.
Sharing food is a matter of community pride.
Get your groceries easily with Hello Fresh
What does Mississippi taste like?
New Hampshire was proud of its apple cider donuts while Utah bragged about “fry sauce.” Ohio loves its “buckeyes.”
People said the most iconic Mississippi foods are fried catfish and soul food.
Which states have the best food?
The Top 5 foodie states, according to the survey, were:
- California
- New York
- Texas
- Louisiana
- Florida
Residents of neighboring Louisiana were the most confident (94%) that they had the best cuisine.
What dishes and flavors represent other Southern states?
According to the data, here’s what other Southern states say represents them.
- Alabama: banana pudding, pinto beans and cornbread
- Arkansas: catfish, country fried chicken
- Florida: seafood, key lime pie, fresh orange juice
- Georgia: peach cobbler, seafood boils
- Kentucky: fried chicken
- Louisiana: crawfish, Cajun cuisine, gumbo
- North Carolina: barbecue, knoephla soup
- South Carolina: soul food
- Tennessee: barbecue
- Texas: Tex Mex, barbecue
- Virginia: ham
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@usatodayco.com.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 20 drawing
06-14-22-23-29
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 3-3-4, FB: 7
Evening: 9-7-3, FB: 5
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 0-2-5-1, FB: 7
Evening: 7-1-0-9, FB: 5
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 13
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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