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. David C.

    I didn’t receive or lost my SSA letter showing my 2019 monthly benefits, Medicare Part B and D deductions. Could you send me another copy or tell me how I can obtain another copy?
    Thank you,

    • Ann C.

      Hi, David. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. You can get a benefit verification letter online instantly by using your personal my Social Security account. To set up your personal account, visit the my Social Security web page and select, “Sign In or Create an Account.” You will need to provide some personal information to verify your identity, choose a username and password and follow the rest of the steps to finish creating your account. Once you create your account, scroll down to the Benefits and Payments section and choose “get benefit verification letter” where you can instantly view, print, or save your official letter. If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk” or you can contact your local Social Security office. Thanks.

  2. Mae D.

    I can’t get on my SS account

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Mae. We’re sorry that you had difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still having trouble accessing your my Social Security account, please call our dedicated my Social Security Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 1-800-772-1213, and select the prompt “helpdesk”. The help desk will be available to callers between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. We hope this helps.

  3. Frank R.

    My Social Security COLA of 2.80 decreased my payment by $7.00. Why was there a decrease? Also last year there was no change in my payment despite the CO A increase.

    Thank You .Frank Russo

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Frank. Thanks for your question. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums. The Social Security Act contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects most beneficiaries. The amount of the benefit will stay the same even though the Medicare Part B premium increases. For information about Medicare premiums in 2019, you can visit Medicare‘s website. If you have specific questions about your situation, please work with your local office. Hope this helps!

  4. Evelyn S.

    I need help or direction for a problem that I am currently trying to straighten out. I applayed for early retirement at 62, and so far everything has been going well up until recently. When I had to choose my Medical Plans and one of the plans that I was approved for was called a QMB. So A couple ofweeks ago, I received an envelope where I was told that I was now going to lose the Qmb benefits and I was going to have to pay for part B benefits of which they will start to take $134.00 out because they had made a mistake when they processed the money that I earned last year and therefore my beneifs well be reduced. So essentially I have had approximately 200.00 dollars taken out of my monthly pay and can’t afford to lose that amount. I am currently living with my son and his family, but have an application being reviewed for Affordable Housing at the Brentwood Commons and will unlikely now no longer be able to afford to pay the monthly amount if . If anyone could either send me a response back or send me an email, I would be very Thankful. Sincerely

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Evelyn. We are sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. To get additional information on Medicare benefits, check out the Medicare website. You may also wish to contact your local Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Program Coordinator) to discuss your options. We hope this helps.

  5. Louis G.

    Social Security Benefits Increase in 2019
    I am having a problem understanding this headline.
    4 Years of University, and another 4 years of Law School. I don’t EVER RECALL an INCREASE
    IN MY SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS, however
    what IS important today is my payment went from
    approx. $950.00 a month to $578.00 THIS MONTH ?? Please Explain.

  6. Kellie M.

    I was supposed to receive a new password via US mail weeks ago for access to my account. It never came .

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  8. Beatrice B.

    My email address has changed since my account was set up. It is now bloodbought65@gmail.com. How do I change it on my SS account?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Beatrice, thank you for your question. After you sign in to your my Social Security account, you can update your email address. After inputting your username and password, you will be at the security code screen. If you receive your security code via email only, then indicate that you cannot access the options listed above and need to reset where you receive security codes. We will then send you a letter with a reset code and instructions.

  9. Pat B.

    In light of the government shutdown, will Social Security recipients receive their Social Security checks scheduled for January 2019?

  10. Diane W.

    Thank You! Increase very much appreciated!!

Comments are closed.