COLA

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2020

October 10, 2019 • By

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Last Updated: October 10, 2019

When we announce the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), there’s usually an increase in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount. Federal benefit rates increase when the cost of living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, it makes your cost of living go up. This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive, so the COLA helps to offset these costs.

As a result, nearly 69 million Americans will see a 1.6 percent increase in their Social Security and SSI benefits in 2020.

January 2020 marks other changes that will happen based on the increase in the national average wage index. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax. The retirement earnings test exempt amount, will also change in 2020.

Want to know your new benefit amount as soon as possible? In December 2019, we will post Social Security COLA notices online for retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries who have a my Social Security account. You will be able to view and save these COLA notices securely via the Message Center inside my Social Security.  You can also opt out of receiving notices by mail that are available online.

Be the first to know! Sign up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account today. Choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications. This way you won’t miss your online COLA notice!

You can find more information about the 2020 COLA here.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Comments

  1. Barbara T.

    How do I find out what my social security benefits for 2020 will be?

  2. JAMESCADEMORRISJR

    I JUST NEED HELP WITH MY MEDICARE AND SSDI

    • A.C.

      Hi, James. 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.

  3. Thomas C.

    Last year my rent went up $90. a month and we got $34. increase.
    This Year you say $24. and Guess what My rent is up $98. starting Dec 1 2019
    I hope I die soon or I will be homeless .
    I get $1385 rent = $1088
    they wont give me sect 8 no one will help .
    Crazy FkN World

  4. trishiann h.

    what is 1.6 for 1.081, and 506.00 for 2020.

  5. Roscoe H.

    Have you been following the news about Trump’s impeachment? From what I understand Nancy Pelosi is still pushing it all forward. I feel like I remember just the other day she was against impeaching the president. Republicans in Congress are pissed!

    https://www.romneyhealey.com/the-tone-shifts-for-senate-gop-on-impeachment-hearings/

  6. Hospitals &.

    Dear Madam Speaker, Mr. President:

    To end child poverty by 2020 and all poverty by 2030

    A BILL

    To repeal the Adjustment to Contribution Base in Sec. 230 of the Social Security Act under 42USC§430 and replace it with: There is created in the Treasury a Supplemental Security Income Trust Fund to end child poverty by 2020 and all poverty by 2030.

    To overrule the 2.37% DI tax rate for 2018 and retroactively amend the effective DI tax rate to 2.1% (2018) in Sec. 201(b)(1)(T) of the Social Security Act under 42USC§401(b)(1)(T) ex post facto and for the intermediate future.

    Be it enacted in the House and Senate Assembled

    It is my pleasure to submit to you the 2020 Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program (the 24th such report). We protest the perpetuation of this report in compliance with section 231 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 that cut SSI spending and 10 million Aid For Families with Dependent Children benefits 1996-2000.

    The Commissioner has a duty to sustain a 3% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), so social security benefits are competitive with 2.7% average annual consumer price index inflation, so SSI benefits will pay better than the poverty line at some time in the future, to right interpretation of Sec. 215(i) of the Social Security Act under 42USC§415(i) after wrongful SSI $674 (2009-2011) determination perpetuating $600-$699 mo. beyond the 48 months allowed (Revelation 13:10) and donor fatigue.

    We are honored to finally effectively propose that Congress end all Social Security Administration (SSA) worries, reduce the deficit by the amount of the SSI Program and vote to tax the rich and underinsured state employees the full 12.4% OASDI tax on all their income to create an SSI Trust Fund to end child poverty by 2020 and all poverty by 2030.

    In this Report we are commissioning the Actuary and other economists, for a more optimistic future, in response to this pro-poor government, with special attention to the accuracy of projections and inability to calculate the optimal OASDI tax rates since 2000, that impair the 3% COLA. The Actuary is requested to consolidate SSA’s two Annual Reports into the first ‘2020 Annual Report of the Social Security Administration’, pursuant to the vote of Congress.

    Sincerely,

    Commissioner of Social Security

    Done: Anthony J. Sanders for Public Trustee
    Hospitals & Asylums

    Letter of Intent to pilot the Annual Report of the SSI Program in November, for the promised raise from $711 to $900-$1,300 due to up to 50% of father’s mandatory maximum benefit. All the public trust, some of the $2,000 mo. for writing the introductory Message of Public Trustee for the First Annual Report of the Social Security Administration.

  7. Anita V.

    I can not log on to my social security, I was sent a temporary password I still was unable to log in !!

    • L.A.

      Hi Anita. 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

  8. ROSELINE A.

    #2020COLA

  9. Bruce W.

    Will i get a raise

  10. Chrystal G.

    I was wondering if I should revisit my social security since I just turned 70. I have been receiving benefits for several years now and working part time. Does it make any difference in how much I can receive in my benefits if I revisit my benefits at the age of 70?

    • L.A.

      Hi Chrystal. Good question! Each year we review the records for all Social Security recipients who work. If your latest year of earnings turns out to be one of your highest years, we refigure your benefit and pay you any increase due. This is an automatic process, and benefits are paid in December of the following year. Learn more about how work affects your benefits here. We hope this helps.

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