Social Security Benefits Increase in 2021
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
Approximately 70 million Americans will see a 1.3 percent increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2021. 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, leading to a higher cost-of-living. This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive, so the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) helps to offset these costs.
We will mail COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. But, if you want to know your new benefit amount sooner, you can securely obtain the Social Security COLA notice online using the Message Center in your personal my Social Security account. You can access this information in early December prior to the mailed notice.
If you prefer to access your COLA notice online instead of receiving the mailed notice, you can log in to your personal my Social Security account to opt out of a mailed COLA notice and any other notices that are available online by updating your Preferences in the Message Center. You can also choose to receive a text or email alert when there is a new notice. That way, you always know when we have something important for you – like your COLA notice. If you don’t have an account yet, you must create one by November 18, 2020 to receive the 2021 COLA notice online.
January 2021 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 in 2021 will be higher. The retirement earnings test exempt amount will also change in 2021.
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.
You can find more information about the 2021 COLA here.
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Tags: COLA, my Social Security, my Social Security account
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Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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FARIBA
Hi
I become citizenship recently. I am 58 an living in u.s for 4 years. I am home maker. Is there any benefit for me through my social security?
Thanks. Fariba
V.V.
Hi Fariba, thanks for using our blog. To find out if you, or a family member, might be eligible for a benefit based on another person’s work, or a higher benefit based on your own work, see the information about benefits on the Social Security website. You can also use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) to find out if you could get benefits that Social Security administers. Based on your answers to questions, this tool will list benefits for which you might be eligible and tell you more information about how to qualify and apply.
Ramy I.
My name is Ramy Ibrahim I’m a new immigrant to USA as lottery Visa I receive my social security in middle of September 2020 for me and my family also …yesterday we received 2 social Security cards for my wife and my daughter they are same number Same name and last name but Middle name not same any problem with our case or it’s dose not matter
Thanks for your response ASAP
V.V.
Hi Ramy, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. You can contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Rita W.
How can you get a social security replacement card
V.V.
Hi Rita, thank you for your question. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number. We hope this helps!
Eugene c.
I need a social security award letter for 2020.
V.V.
Hi Eugene, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a benefit verification letter. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. You also may be able to request a benefit verification letter by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. You can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a proof of income letter. We hope this helps.
Mike
Too bad the increase will all be lost by the increase of Medicare as always.
Keith T.
This website is pitiful. Every time I login I have to register. And I still haven’t been able to get next year’s retirement estimates.
Karen
reduced COLA probably to pay for stimulus checks and the COLA just covers Medicare rising rates, so they get the majority of it. Why not just tell the truth?
Richard E.
Why are we only getting 1.3% cola? That’s not helping anybody! We need raises like $25.00 or more every year! Why can’t it be done like that?
Mark B.
$25.00???!!%#@!!?? Hell we should get 4 and 5% raises like everyone else!!! And we should get our Medicare for FREE everyone in Washington gets their health insurance for FREE why can’t we?
Amnon L.
Hi,
I received to day payment of $198.
My regular payments are $1,752
What is this payment for?
Thanks.
V.V.
For your security, Amnon, 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 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
michael d.
I received a check earlier than usual this month in the amount of $117.00. Can you please explain that?
V.V.
For your security, Michael, 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 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.