COLA

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2019

January 3, 2019 • By

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Last 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. kd r.

    Is vision an dental coverage available this coming year?

    • A.C.

      Hi, KD. Thanks for your question. The Medicare Advantage Plans may offer dental and vision coverage. To learn more about Medicare Advantage, visit here. We hope this helps.

  2. Roseline A.

    Is the Ssi payment gone be more the $771.00 this year by next year 2020 year

  3. SANDRA K.

    will there be an increase for social security in 2020?

    • L.A.

      Hi Sandra. On October 10, 2019, it was announced that there will be a 1.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2020 for all beneficiaries. This new increase will take effect for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on December 31, 2019, and for Social Security payments in January 2020. You can find out more information on the new COLA here. We hope this helps.

  4. Sherrie N.

    Trying to see how much my income goes up for 2020

  5. Frances T.

    how do i find the statements on cola on here for me? and how do i calculate the average for my situation?

    • L.A.

      Hi Frances. The statements showing how your benefits may increase by the cost of living increase that was announced on October 10, 2019, will be sent later this year. You can find out more information on the new COLA here. We hope this helps.

  6. robin l.

    What is the new amount of SSDI benefits in 2020?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Robin. If you are referring to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), we will not know if there will be a COLA for 2020, and if so the amount of the COLA, until the Department of Labor releases information on inflation for the past year. For the latest news and updates on Social Security, please check out our web page here. We hope this helps.

  7. Kin

    Is the income earned limits for benefits gross or net?

    • L.A.

      Hi Kin. Please note that the income limits are based on the gross earnings (before taxes). For more information on this subject, please see our publication titled “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” We hope this helps.

  8. Mark S.

    What will be the COLA increase for 2020 if there will be any at all?

    • L.A.

      Hi Mark, thank you for your question. We will not know if there will be a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2020, and if so the amount of the COLA, until the Department of Labor releases information on inflation for the past year. For the latest news and updates on Social Security, visit here. We hope this helps.

  9. Gwendolyn E.

    I am presently getting SS benefits since 2010, I am working still plan to retire and not work again I am paying into SS, will I be eligible for additional SS payments once I retire.

    • L.A.

      Hi Gwendolyn. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years we used to calculate your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount. If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record, and we send you a notice letting you know the new benefit amount. If you continue to work, remember that starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn and still receive your Social Security benefits. For more information, please see our Benefits Planner: Getting Benefits While Working. We hope this information helps!

  10. Donna V.

    I like in a HUD rental apartment and received SS & SSI I just renewed my leased and the Housing Department has based my new rent for the 12 month period beginning Oct. 2019, based upon the SS & SSI increase which doesn’t take effect until January!
    Is that legal to try and gouge a disabled senior, or anyone, for money that has not been received yet?
    I get the bottom amount from SS/SSI and I can’t afford to give them what I haven’t yet gotten and won’t for 3 more months! I get the bottom amount from SS/SSI and I can’t afford the increase yet!

    What do I do?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Donna. You should contact your local HUD office to determine your options. You may also want to visit their website for more information. Thanks.

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