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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Tags: 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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david k.
how much can i earn at my job this year?
A.C.
Hi, David. You can work while you receive Social Security retirement (or survivors) benefits. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2019, that limit is $17,640. Visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working for more information. Thanks!
Patricia D.
Were there individuals who did not receive the 2.8% increase? If so, why did some not receive the full percentage increase?
frank l.
After applying for my SS benefits at what point am I eligible for the COLA increase?
A.C.
Hi, Frank. The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), is announced each year in late October. The resulting percentage increase, if any, represents the percentage that will be used to increase Social Security benefits beginning
for December of the current year. SSI benefits increase by the same percentage the following month (January). For additional information, check out our Cost-of-Living Adjustment publication or web page. We hope this helps.
Dorian G.
Each year that an individual is a recipient of Social Security, they receive a cost-of-living adjustment that is known as COLA. Each year in January the Social Security administration sends out letters to the recipients to inform them that the amount of their monthly stipend will increase, and the letter will also inform the individual of the amount of the increase and finally the recipient will be informed of the adjusted monthly stipend amount. It is essential that the government recognizes the fact that each year the cost of living increases and the Social Security Administration recognizes this and tries to compensate the receivers of these all important benefits. In some instances, the receives of the assistance can barely pay their monthly bills so this increase seeks to ease some of these concerns for the elderly and disabled. There are national organizations to whom are dedicated to researching matters such as the cost of living and its correlations to the wages of working individuals versus individuals to whom solely receive government benefits. In 2019 more than 67 million recipients of Social Security benefits as well as the recipients of SSI, will enjoy an increase of approximately 2.8 percent. This law must remain up to date with the current costs incurred by the recipients as well as in response to costs on everyday items and household expenses. It is a good thing that this organization provides the users with several options to receive notifications such as paperless or in the mail statements. It is up to the Social Security benefits recipient the ways in which they are notified by the organization.
Carol A.
Why haven’t I gotten an increase in the amount I receive for the past 2 years.? Not 1 cent! Need w explanation. Last year when we got s raise my medicare payment went up and took the entire raise.
A.C.
Hi, Carol. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to work with our offices for specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Or you can contact your local office. Thanks!
Wayne R.
Are spouses (age 67) still eligible for benefits on their husband’s record (age 72) if they have been married for 10 Years?
Thank you!
A.C.
Hi, Wayne. It sounds like you are referring to divorced spouse benefits. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. Hope this helps!
Mary T.
I never got the cost of living increase with my January 16
Soc.Sec. check.
Rau[ R.
my last check of SS benefits was deposited on January 03, 2019. I believe they stop sending it. Can you tel[ me How I do to restate it ? Thank you
V.V.
Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.
To inquire about your benefit payments, you will need to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Larry k.
I put in for retirement on July 1, 2016I that 14 months held back because was working and making over the monthly limit. My monthly social security payment was set at $ 1631.00.I had $1631.00 times 14 months or $22834.00 held back. When I quit inOct. 2017 they sent me $8500.00.Than 5 months later they said they over paid me by $2700.00 and I am paying it backs.SO I got only $5800.00 of the $ 22834.00 heldback.Where is the $17034.00 recalibration. It says on the social security Website that if I have money withheld that they will automatically re-calibrate that when I turn 66. On July 8, 2018 I turn 66 and there was no recalibration of the money they withheld. What do I need to do to get this resolved thank you very much.
William L.
I welcome the new data, but am deeply concerned about th continued sliding scale of “pay of benefts” date, that started to effect me personally when it became arrving past the “past due dates” of my Mortgage Lender as well as Health Care Out of Pocket expense that were due. Was meeting all my payment criteria up to this point?? Is there any way that my future benefit payments will ever arrive by the 15th of each month, otherwise I will have to call my lenders and adv ise them, that since establishing the “due dates” based on my SSBenefts, some 19 uyrs ago, I am now facing a crisis when I cannot sustain these due dates on the 16th of ea month?? Please advise what other retirees are doing, that were forced out of the job market at 59 1/2 wth limited income and having to purchase a residence, after losing all from the past, and not anticipating that this sspayment would move so drastically. What is the reason. A retired processor after 28+ yrs with Health Issues participating in Medicare payroll . A response w.be greatly appreciated. William Knapek – Houston,Tx Vet
V.V.
Hi William, thank you for using our blog. Both the 2019 and 2020 Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars are available online.