New Online Social Security COLA Notices
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
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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Tags: Cost of living adjustment, my Social Security, my Social Security account
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Josephine W.
I did not receive my COLA notification
R.F.
Hello Josephine. Social Security COLA notices will be mailed to beneficiaries, throughout the month of December 2018.
Also, during the month of December 2018, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security. This is a secure, convenient way to receive COLA notices online and save the message for later.
For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola. Thanks!
Sandra W.
My daughter received social security disability benefits but the notice she received from social security didn’t show that she was receiving a COLA this year. Why???
R.F.
Hello Sandra. 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 your daughter with an explanation.
Your daughter can 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!
kathie e.
I have not received my form SSA-4926-SM (1-2019) . My husband received his 2 weeks ago and we live at the same address. Can you I am concerned it may have been lost in transit.Can you please send me my new benefits amount statement. Thank you.
R.F.
Hello Kathie. Social Security COLA notices will be available online in December 2018,to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security. You will still receive your COLA notice by mail this year (during the month of December), but in the future you will be able to choose whether you receive your notice online instead of on paper. For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola.
Also, remember that you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your personal my Social Security account.
Thanks!
Julien C.
Was able to view COLA Increase notice in the Message Center but after I moved it to a folder, I could no longer view it. Rather the PDF format seemed to load a blank page. Any suggestions?
V.V.
Hi Julie, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. We are sorry to hear you are having issues with the pdf of “Your 2019 Social Security Cost of Living Increase” notice. If you continue to have difficulties, feel free to call us at 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”.
Jan L.
I receive SS Disability. What is my cost of living in 2019? Also what is the maximum I can make per month in earnings for 2019
R.F.
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2019 for Social Security beneficiaries is a 2.8 percent. For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola.
Also, visit our blog “Working While Disabled — Social Security Can Help“. Thanks!
PCA
It’s December and I just recieved a text message and do not reply email notice from www ssa stating there was a message from SSA. The message opened to the login page for mySocialSecurity.gov showing my old login info filled in. The text and email were not from http//www.ssa.gov
Is SSA sending both text and emails again? I thought that messages from SSA was a suspended service. Have they started using the onlne message center again or still only using US postal service mail. ?
R.F.
Please call our 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”. Thanks!
Carol E.
when will i see the amount on my Social Security personal website? I went on today and there is no message there.
V.V.
Hi Carol. Your COLA notice will be available online in the Message Center of your my Social Security account in December 2018. Although you will still receive this COLA notice by mail this year, in the future, you will have a choice of online or paper notification.
For more details, check out our Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information web page.
Mary B.
I am looking for a statement of how much I can earn each month while I am drawing SSD, I am 59 years old and working part time. But I need to know what my limit will be for 2019.
R.F.
Hello Mary. A person may still be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program if they work. However, their earnings cannot exceed a certain amount. This is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In 2018, the SGA limit is $1,180 per month (or $1,970 for blind applicants). In addition to the amount of money you make, Social Security may also look at the number of hours you’re able to work.
Please visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page for more information. Thanks!
Loreen
191 121). This would indicate that Carrie discovers a
similarity between herself and Lorraine in her attitude towards Andy and black people in general.
Traci s.
My name is Traci Sofield wanting to know if my social security disability income gonna receive the cola for 2019 please let me know my email is tsofield1506@comcast.net thank you
R.F.
Hello Traci. We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue. For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola.
Just a reminder – Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email. Thanks!