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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: Cost of living adjustment
See CommentsAbout the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Maxine B.
I just received a notice in the mail that your records show I MAY GET HIGHER benefits using my SSN. I am just checking this out. I called the # on the mailing and they have different hours each day. I am surprised they can even keep that straight. Please let me know if I can get higher payments using my SSN. Thank You. Maxine Bakken
A.C.
Hi, Maxine. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
roger w.
i tried to log into my account and was unable to log in
L.A.
Hi Roger. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
ROBERTA P.
I tried to create a “MY SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT”
and was told electronic access was suspended. Also it stated that I should wait 24 hours and try again.
Why was my electronic access suspended?
L.A.
Hi Roberta. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Email m.
What will our part b premium be for 2020?
L.A.
Hi. At this time we do not know how much the monthly Medicare premium will be for 2020. Information about Medicare changes for 2020, when announced, will be available at http://www.Medicare.gov. We hope this helps.
Karla Z.
How does the universal income new thing affect SSI recipients
Robert K.
I see we got a 1.6% increase for 2020.
What will the Part B deductible be for 2020?
A.C.
Hi, Robert. At this time we do not know if there will be a Medicare Part B increase for 2020, and if so the amount of the premium. Information about Medicare changes for 2020, when announced, will be available here. Thanks!
Dickie m.
We all knew 30+ years ago that Social Security and Medicare wouldn’t be enough to pay the bills, we should have found another way to put some money away to get us to the end of life. ??
Sue
I retired from a facility that I worked at for 15+ years, (I have 43 SS credits), I worked the past 15+ years at a college and no SS was paid in so I have a windfall (WEP) penalty…however, I am 61 years old and would like to continue working. If I take a lower-paying job will that affect my SS benefit at full retirement age? I guess my question is: How many years of income are used to calculate your SS benefit? If I work the next 6 years and pay SS will that eliminate or reduce the WEP penalty? Thanks so much!
A.C.
Hi, Sue. Thanks for your questions. We calculate your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits. If there were some years when you didn’t work, or had lower earnings, your benefit amount may be lower as a result. For details on how your retirement benefit is figured, visit here. For specific questions about your record and how work may affect your future benefits, please call us us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Sharron W.
I receives a extra $9.00 dollars deposited in my checking account on 10/17/19. Why did this happen I do not understand? Your help is appreciated. Thanks
L.A.
Hi Sharron. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this forum. In your situation, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You may also contact the local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Queen B.
I have not received the extra social security check.All my neighbors have.The media reported they were supposed to be delivered by the 15th of Oct.
A.C.
Hi, Queen. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.