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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Rosemary B.
If you forecast what do you think the 2020 increase will be, about the same, less or more.
Tony M.
It is CPI (inflation) driven which is based on a broad “basket” of goods & services. Goods tend to be cost controlled due to overseas manufacturing (cheap labor), but services which can’t be exported to other countries (like medical inflation) tend to go up relentless. Averaging out, inflation is technically “low.”
Gary
Thank You
John J.
woopieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Michael w.
COLA gave me a cost of living increase for 2019 . BUT i am still living on the edge of poverty as many people do on SDI . I am 56 years old and became disabled 5 year,s ago , Trying to keep my home of 25+ year,s that alone take,s 95 % of my SDI income, I was able to get snap benefits(food stamps) from the state . BUT as my gross income goes up cost of living increase MY snap benefits go down . because snap benefits go by gross income . so fed give and state take away, SO i never see an increase and the medical insurance cost is killing me….
Robert G.
I get ( O ) food stamps, so consider yourself lucky.
Michael w.
Robert , I now get 26 dollars per month . my point is ssdi give and state took it away
Franklin L.
Hi! Good afternoon,
Jim Borand, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications.
Hereby, I wish acquaint U.S. Social Security Commissioner through you than the increasing Cola
adjusted sum was not has been added to my monthly receiving awarded won payment belonging January 03
2019 direct deposit to my bank account. The amount
been deposited and gotten within my bank account was
by $750.00 instead of $838.00 as It was been notified
by the U.S. Social Security Administration to me.
Very Truly Yours,
Franklin L. Hernandez c/o
Franklin Leonidas Hernandez,
United States Citizen,
Dominican/American,
Accountant-Legal Services.
D/O/B:07/06/1945
U.S. Social Security Number:*** – ** – ***
NYS-ID:166 153 686 IdNYC:16240251012561 6
Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 322088 New York, N.Y. 10032-0512 Telephone/Cellular Phone: 347-619-4966
United States Registered Physical Address: 440 Beach
58th. Street, Arverne, N.Y. 11692
United States Registered Permanent Address:72-66 Fort Washington Ave. Apt.4, New York, N.Y. 10032.
New York State,
New York County,
UNITED STATES,
Thursday, January 3, 2018
F.L.H.-
Michael w.
That is probably your Medicaid amount that is being taken out
S. T.
Medicare, not Medicaid!! There is no charge for Medicaid, obviously, since eligibility requires poverty.
Pat S.
Social Security has evolved into a real scam. You pay your whole life & Congress, who doesn’t pay, gets to determine what money you get back. What a racket. No one in Congress cares about you & me, neither Republican or Democrat. If they did, they would attempt to get along for the good of the country, but they are more interested in filling their pockets & f u. If they cared, we would not be complaining on this site & all the others. We have a gov’t of rich & egocentric 5 yr olds who don’t concern themselves with the peasants who vote for them.
Carolee
I agree we should get the same pay schedule as Congress wether republican or Democrat but on a prorated amount. If they only work 6 years in Congress it should be divided by people working 50 plus years. If they get free medical we should get that also Why not. They should pay into social security and the monthly amount would be fair for everyone.
Rob W.
With this statement above by “Pat”, I TOTALLY agree. Our Congressional reps are basically stealing our money while they just complain and bicker to get more votes for their own benefit!
Zita M.
Thank Goodness for these increases. As a woman in the work force during the 60’s through the 90’s, I did not receive equal pay for the work performed. Hence, my social security is not sufficient. Each little bit really counts.
Ludovico L.
When will we see our 1099S?
R.F.
Hello, an SSA-1099 is a tax form we mail each year, during the month of January, to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from Social Security in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to IRS on your tax return. Thanks!
Diana G.
You said I would get an increase last year, but not one red cent came my way. Same with this year. Every time I am suppose tp get an increase, Medicare takes it all away. Certainly doesn’t help me with the cost of living. I as suppose to live on $824. a month. RIGHT!
Pennye P.
I do not remember my passwords to get into my account. I filled out all the required boxes and was promised a letter with a temporary password about a month ago.
It hasn’t come.
What do I do?
R.F.
For assistance with 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”. Or contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!