COLA

New Online Social Security COLA Notices

September 27, 2018 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

man on computer We are constantly expanding our online services to give you freedom and control when doing business with us. Our new online cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices are another example of our commitment in this area.

Later this year, we will post the Social Security COLA notices online for retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries with a personal my Social Security account. The announcement of the COLA amount will occur in October, but final benefit amounts won’t be calculated and available until December, when we mail COLA notices that contain the benefit amount for the next calendar year.

These COLA notices will now be available to view and save via the online Message Center inside my Social Security. The Message Center is a secure, convenient portal where you can receive sensitive communications we don’t send through email or text.

This year, individuals will still receive COLA notices by mail. In the future, they will be able to choose whether they receive their notice online instead of on paper.

Online notices will not be available to representative payees, individuals with foreign mailing addresses, or those who pay higher Medicare premiums due to their income. We plan to expand the availability of COLA notices to additional online customers in the future.

Remember, our services are always free of charge. No government agency or reputable company will solicit your personal information by email or request advanced fees for services in the form of wire transfers or gift cards. Avoid falling victim to fraudulent internet “phishing” schemes by not revealing personal information, selecting malicious links, or opening malicious attachments. You can learn more about the ways we protect your investment, personal information, and my Social Security account here.

Social Security’s online services make it easy to have the best experience possible by putting you in control of your time. Sign up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account today and choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications so you won’t miss your electronic COLA notice!

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Marsha

    I would like to know the amount of income that can be earned from working without penalty while collecting ss for 2019. For 2018 it is 17040 and I understand that limit goes up each year. Does anyone have that information?

    • John

      It will be available when the COLAs are published giving us the 2019 figures.

    • V.V.

      Hello Marsha, We will know that information in late October, when the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2019 is announced.

      As always, we will keep you informed. Thanks!

  2. Richard S.

    About my oldest brother, Lonnie P Schumaker, Jr he use to get SSI, well, the reason I had heard is that SSA overpaid him of the amount of $6,000.00.

    • AKA

      Another way to look at it is he probably defrauded the taxpayers $6,000.00.

      • Richard S.

        wrong

  3. Amelia E.

    I encourage everyone who can sign up for My SSA online as it is a great convenience. I enjoy using this as it keeps me from having to visit the SSA office, and possibly a long wait. It allows me to view my account, and request and receive most documents and forms I may need. It also help me avoid long waits on the phone unless I actually have to call. There is also represenitives you can chat with to help answer your questions . I am very glad I signed on.

    • V.V.

      Thank you, Amelia! Your thoughts are important to us and we’re pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.

  4. F T.

    Keep sending great messages!

  5. Carol A.

    This is fine for those who can access their account online, what about those of us who cannot do this. I have long ago lost my online information and because of identity theft that occurred thru the IRS neither myself or my spouse can access online at all. the solution is for us to go to McKeesport Office personally. Well McKeesport is not somewhere we want to go. Too much crime, only paid parking, waiting around for personel to even recognize the fact you are there is ridiculous. So because the government neglected to protect my and my spouses personal information we cannot access our accounts online.

    • R.F.

      We apologize for the inconveniences, Carol. If you are still having trouble creating or accessing your account, please call our dedicated “my Social Security Hotline”. To reach this hotline, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”. Also, please keep in mind that you can visit any Social Security office in your area for assistance with your Social Security benefits. Thanks!

    • Marc

      How do you hold the government responsible for your identity having been stolen? YOU alone are responsible for your online security. The SSA website, as all the .gov websites are as secure as you can get. Few private citizens can say that, if any, in fact. Every bank account transaction you made, every purchase in every store, gas station, online, all your credit accounts and bills you pay online and automatic withdrawal payments and your router…those are only a few of the hundreds of ways your identity was stolen. Also Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Target, Facebook, and EQUIFAX the CREDIT BUREAU with the information of EVERY ADULT AMERICAN were all breached repeatedly among dozens of others. The odds of your identity theft problem being caused by any one or more of these are millions of times higher than the one chance in millions that it happened via any government entity.

  6. Robert L.

    Way cool as the kids would say I use the site all the time keep up the good work.
    Thanks, Robert

    • R.F.

      Thank you, Robert! Your thoughts are important to us and we’re pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.

  7. Dale.

    I wish I could establish my Social Security account. Instead of telling me I can’t do it online. Go to my local SS office? Sure, it is only 150 miles away. At age 84 I guess I could hitch hike.

  8. John T.

    Love these short news blast. Keep them coming. Good job ?.

  9. Carolyn J.

    Thank you for this notification.

  10. Mary

    So for 2000 do we get an increase in our social security or not I know a lot of times we do not really get it because Medicare will go up so it kind of balance is out but it’s been many years is a halfway decent cost of living raise

    • Patricia

      The year 2000 passed 18 years ago sweetie!

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