COLA

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2021

October 13, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last 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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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Kathryn S.

    I filed for expedited reinstatement Jan 21,2020 and still have not received benefits . ..can I move into your house ?

    • V.V.

      Hi Kathryn, thanks for using our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office to inquire on the status. 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.

    • Stephen m.

      Let her move in

  2. Nora R.

    Will I get a increased in my ssi in 2021

    • V.V.

      Hi Nora, thanks for using the blog to ask your question. All monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 70 million Americans will increase 1.3 percent in 2021. For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.

  3. Tonda S.

    I keep getting a phone call saying my Social Security number has a problem and I am going to be arrested as a warrant has been issued. I am sure this is scam but it does scare you when you get a call like that.

    • V.V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Tonda. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.

      If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  4. James L.

    I know this has nothing to do with social security benefits, but they are talking about people who are in jail maybe getting a stimulus check,I say why should they when they are people that are at home and that are disabled like myself that hasn’t seen the first red penny from the first go around and I am married and raising two of our grand children and we need that money just as bad as anyone else that has already received it

  5. James L.

    I think that benefits should be increased because the government doesn’t give a person enough money to live on in the first place.

  6. Vinny D.

    Make Sure ……..

  7. Vinny D.

    Make Sure,…….

  8. Brett H.

    You dummys trumps giving u more money and increasing your social security not taking it a away read it again closely

    • Hames I.

      THANK YOU. That’s what I see happening as well.

  9. Rosa

    Realmente es muy poco..

  10. LDP

    Vote him out of our White House so we can get back to the way life used to be, not enemies with all of our neighboring countries and put all our our enemies back into real time places like Putin for instance!

Comments are closed.