COLA, SSI

An Increase in Social Security Benefits in 2017

October 18, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: March 17, 2021

cola2017The 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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About the Author

Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications

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Comments

  1. rodney g.

    i want to know if i am eligible for DD214 ACTIVE DUTY BENEFITS IN MY CURRENT SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK??

    • Vonda V.

      Hello Rodney. Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.

      Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for periods of active duty from 1957 through 2001 can also be credited to your Social Security earnings record for benefit purposes.

      •If you were in the active military service from 1957 through 1967, special extra earnings are added to your earnings record when you apply for Social Security benefits.
      •If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record.

      There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001.

      These special earnings credits are added to your earnings record automatically when you apply for Social Security benefits.

      Please read our publication: Military Service and Social Security https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10017.pdf for more information. Thanks!

  2. Gary H.

    I received an increase, but my wife, whose benefits were 50% of mine, didn’t increase. They are still 50% of my old amount. Why? Thank you.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Gary, thanks for using the blog to ask your question. All monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 67 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2019.

      The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 62 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2019. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2018. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.)

      If your benefit increase was due to receiving delayed retirement credits, a spouse’s benefit does not include any delayed retirement credits.

      Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot look up information to answer your question. Please contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  3. John W.

    The COLA raise of 0.3%. My Social Security DECREASED $2.00. Still haven’t had my question I asked by voice mail in January 2017. ALSO, our COLA increase in 2018, an increase of 2% resulted in a ZERO increase in the money I received from SS. I found out that they took the increase and PAID IT TO MEDICARE. In 2017, my rent increase $50, plus utilities, food, gas, etc., etc. Now, I WONDER, will the new 2018 increase in COLA of 2.8% will see any increase in the money in my pocket so I can pay my increased bills.

  4. Angela P.

    Can you tell me how much SS pays when someone dies.
    Is there a fix amount for everyone? Thanks.

  5. John B.

    Fuck Obama and his rigged CPI to keep Americans from getting what is the real cola in 8 years would be ! Americans lost cola by obama was about 28 % cola . Trump will never let this happen… Ronald Regan stole from social security like obama .. no more social security propaganda, No foreign aid no more aid to foreign immigrants and No foreign Aid to foreign governments.. no more propaganda about social security…Americans for Americans

  6. Janet N.

    Is there a price guideline that health providers must follow when charging for the reproduction of requested medical information for social security purposes? If so, can you email that to me?

    • Janet N.

      I’m not asking for anyone’s personal information. I need a pricing guide that providers must follow when charging a fee to copy records.

  7. Rochelle R.

    I did not get any COLA increase at all in my social Security in 2017, not sure why..

    Wondering when my husband retired, if my social security should have increased as well.. Since I am older then he is I retired years before he did.. Myself in 2000, and he in 2013.
    Thank you.

    • Ray 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 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.

  8. mary c.

    I have not received an increase in my SS for at least three years. However, my medicare and co-pays keep increasing.

  9. elizabeth s.

    Why do the gov’t keep our security when we may have to file early due to job loss, illness, or anything else beyond our control and it’s never given back to us, but we can sponsor those coming in from other countries with social security? Ex( if I’m suppose to get $1400.00 and due to early acceptance, I’m penalized and get $1300.00 where do the rest of my money I work for go to and what gives you govt to keep my money.

  10. Ana m.

    Im getting SSI but very low. Istop working already.

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