Social Security Benefits Increase in 2019
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Each year we announce the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Usually, there is an increase in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount people receive each month, starting the following January. Law requires that federal benefit rates increase when the cost of living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
The CPI-W rises when prices increase for the things the average consumer buys. This means that when prices for goods and services we purchase become more expensive, on average, the COLA increases benefits and helps beneficiaries keep up with the changing cost of living.
More than 67 million Americans will see a 2.8 percent increase in their Social Security and SSI benefits in 2019.
This month marks other changes based on the increase in the national average wage index. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax will increase to $132,900 in 2019. The retirement earnings test exempt amount will also increase.
Want to know your new benefit amount? In December 2018, we posted Social Security COLA notices online for retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries who have a my Social Security account. You can view and save these COLA notices securely via the Message Center inside my Social Security.
Next year, be the first to know! Sign up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account. Choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications so you won’t miss your electronic COLA notice!
This year, even if you accessed your COLA notice online, you still received your COLA notice by mail. In the future, you will be able to choose whether you receive your 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.
Check our website for more information about the 2019 COLA. You can also read our publication Cost-of-Living Adjustment.
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Henry M.
I stoped taxes about 4 month ago for my wife and I but have not seen any change in the money I get back. I did this through the social security office in Shreveport louisiana. When will I see it back in my check.
Samuel J.
Is this true about medicare and social security. Medicaid needed to be addressed but not the others. By Politico.
Where’s $2 trillion from?
Jeffries’ spokesperson did not get back to us with information supporting his claim.
In a literal sense, Trump’s budget did propose about $2 trillion in savings from Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid over 10 years.
The majority of those savings — about $1.4 trillion — would come from Medicaid, according to projections from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Part of that would be a rollback of the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare, which allowed states to offer Medicaid coverage to a larger share of low-income people. Trump’s budget would cut federal funding for the expansion, forcing states to either drop it or foot the bill themselves.
About $530 billion in savings would come from Medicare and $25 billion would come from Social Security. Collectively, that totals almost $2 trillion.
Earl B.
I was told by the local Social Security office that since my Social Security increased this year, my supplemental security income would decrease. I thought they both increased when there was a Cost of Living increase in my Social Security. Which is true?
Earl B.
Does the SSI (Supplemental) also get increased the same percentage as Social Security in 2019.
Noel E.
My bank did not receive my Social security check today, so I wanted to know when the date of payment is made. I was told that it was the 3rd Thursday of each month and my bank releases the funds 1 day before. However they did not receive the benefit as yet. I wnnt to the local SS office and sent an e-mail then but no reply was made. please reply!!!
Rita A.
Can you give me an estimate for the SSA yearly increase for retired citizens in 2020?
L.A.
Hi Rita. We will not know if there is a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2020 until sometime in the middle of October. To receive updates about the COLA, you may subscribe to receive updates via email or text messages here. We hope this helps.
Laurel N.
I need a replacement awards letter for 2019 for my bank, how can I get a copy???
A.C.
Hi, Laurel. Good news! If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter by setting up a personal my Social Security account online. For questions regarding your benefit verification letter, we ask that members in our Facebook community contact our offices. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call after later in the day. We hope this helps.
cenin
from $763 for the previous months until august 2019 i received this pension, but in august 2019, my pension decreased to $607.00 WHY? while some illegals are benefitting a free financial assistance without even contributiting to the welfare fund, i got mine reduced for my 20-year contribution when i was working.what kind of torture is this?
Charles H.
I am looking for a statement of earnings and expenses, like medicare, for 2019
A.C.
Hi, Charles. You can access your earnings statement online at any time by creating a personal my Social Security account. With a my Social Security account, you can review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. We hope this helps!
Roseline A.
Hello looking forward to Roseline Augustine *** – ** – *** Ssi payment today from the Camillus House …