An Increase in Social Security Benefits in 2017
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 17, 2021
The annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) usually means an increase in the benefit amount people receive each month. By law, the monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate increases when there is a rise in the cost of living. The government measures changes in the cost of living through the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).
The CPI-W rose this year. When inflation increases, your cost of living also goes up. Prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive. Since the CPI-W did rise, the law increases benefits to help offset inflation. As a result, monthly Social Security and SSI benefits for over 65 million Americans will increase 0.3 percent in 2017.
Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index will begin in January 2017. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase to $127,200.
Information about Medicare changes for 2017, when announced, will be available at www.Medicare.gov. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums.
You can find more information about the 2017 COLA at www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. For changes in the national average wage index, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html.
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Tags: Cost of living adjustment, Medicare, SSI
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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Donna F.
My statement New Benefit Amount did not reflect a 2% increase. I was wondering why I did not recieve one.
R.F.
Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-121,3 Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for assistance. Thanks!
J A.
This will never be honest or solved until all those in congress and government employ are required to live with the same programs that the public gets….To add to the abuse, they oversee the programs that they are not required to participate in and pay for.
Toni H.
I’ve been saying the same thing for years ! Thank you for having the guts to put it here in these blogs!
I only wish that we all were able to unite together and fight for our rights !
J A.
It was a lie to tell the public that they were going to receive a 2% increase in what they receive in money. The government is good at bragging about their fake services.
So, in two years, I have benefited by less than one half of a percent …in two years…
sandy l.
I received my COLA information today. What a sham.. The increase was totally off set by the HUGE increase in what my Medicare use to be. It went from $105. a month to $134. a month. My increase after Medicare is taken out is NOTHING it stays the same. So you tell me how did that increase benefit me in any way? Where is my 2%? I find this whole thing flawed. We unknowingly paid $17 MILLION in slush money for perverted congressmen and you give us NOTHING. Shame on all of you who run this political cartel.
Harold P.
For 2017 my medicare monthly deduction was $110 or an increase of $6.00 from 2016.
Now I received the 2018 figures and the medicare cost rose to $134 monthly or $24 per month from 2017.
Why????
Norma J.
Why didn’t I get my ss info on raise in mail? My husband got his. What if it was delivered to wrong address and they have my info?!!
R.F.
Hi Norma, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are mailed during the month of December.
TRACY K.
It’s a shame 2 years ago I received $1204.00 a month. Now with a cost of living increase last year I’m getting $ 1184.00, and now with the 2.0% increase for 2018 which is supposed to a cost of living increase my month check will be $ 1174.00. How is one to live when my income that supposed to be a increase is actually decreasing?
kerry
I got ZERO monthly increase.
I guess it went to Medicare increase so how am I supposed to afford the extra cost of food???
Patty H.
my 2% increase went right back to pay for an increase in Medicare. That’s not an increase. My bills are the same increase or not. I am expected to live on $562 per month pay for my medicines myself and co payments. There is no life left not even gas money. All the while the government put us Further in debt so Mr Trump can play golf and tax payer money is used to pay off settlement of congress who can’t keep their hands to themselves. Tax and death that what this 72 year old women has to look forward to.
J A.
Three years during the Obama administration and democrat control of congress there was no increase in SS payouts. Obviously the swamp in still not drained….
Michael L.
I need my estimated 2018 estimated benifits to refy my home dont how to find it
R.F.
Hi Michael, if you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your personal “my Social Security account”. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives area available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are mailed during the month of December. Thanks.