COLA

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2022

October 13, 2021 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Approximately 70 million Americans will see a 5.9% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2022. 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 your Social Security COLA notice online using the Message Center in your 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 and not receive 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. Did you know you can receive a text or email alert when there is a new message waiting for you? 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 17, 2021, to receive the 2022 COLA notice online.

January 2022 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 2022 will be higher. The retirement earnings test exempt amount will also change in 2022.

Be among 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 2022 COLA here.

 

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. DC

    The increase is certainly needed as all necessities to live a decent life has increased exponentially!

  2. Teena H.

    How much will the Medicare premiums increase this year? After all, if they increase 2-3%, then the COLA increase isn’t really a net 5.9%.

    • Vonda

      Hi Teena, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Information about Medicare changes for 2022, when announced, will be available at http://www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, Social Security will not be able to compute their new benefit amount until after the Medicare premium amounts for 2022 are announced. Final 2022 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message CenterWe hope this helps!

      • Mousielove

        Why isn’t the COLA enough to keep up with inflation?

    • Renee

      At least 3% for sure.

  3. Yolanda M.

    how much will the medicare premium increase? it will probably wipe out the raise.

    • Vonda

      Hi Yolanda, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Information about Medicare changes for 2022, when announced, will be available at http://www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, Social Security will not be able to compute their new benefit amount until after the Medicare premium amounts for 2022 are announced. Final 2022 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center. We hope this helps!

    • Alan

      I had heard the Medicare increase was going to be 14.5%. So much for the COLA increase because it’s all going to get taken away Again as Usual. So much for helping those of us Truly in need of help

  4. Kim R.

    So how much does 5.9% actually come to?? How many dollars if mine is now 1009.00 a month?

    • Tiffany

      Around $1068 a month

    • Erik F.

      They are keeping the people that worked their whole life in a position of poverty and shame. The cost of living is a joke. Every Five years of retirement squeezing the life out of you with inadequate income and restrictions that have you dreading the next five years…
      5.6 percent is $5.60 per $100 so for a $1000 is only a meager $56.00 pitiful. if it were 5.6% per year but its not…. seriously insufficient…we should revolt
      ..lol

      • Patricia L.

        If I get 797.00 now then what would my Ck look like with the 5.9%

        • Kenny O.

          Hi Patricia, thank you for using our blog. All monthly Social Security (retirement, disability and survivors) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will see a 5.9% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2022. 

          The new Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment rate for 2022 for a single individual will be $ 841/monthly. For more details about the new COLA amounts, visit the 2022 Social Security Changes. We hope this helps. 

          • Nyna

            So, my rate is going down 40.00 less than now and plus the 5.9% will equal to $2.00 more than I get now… WOW. And changing the date I receive it too. WOW, WOW, WOW…

  5. Constance M.

    yes its a big increase, but with all the student loan forgiveness, child care, covid extras never went out to the elderly. so older have paid taxes longer and yet they got shit compared to the lazy young people. why dont they get food stamps, your worried about feeding kids, what about the elderly.

    • Erik F.

      The retired are not being treated fairly. More needs to be done. please call your senator and representative…. today and once a week for the remainder of the year…..

      • Rayginol W.

        Do they take that 170 out every month ?

        • Vonda

          Hi Rayginol, thanks for using our blog. The standard Medicare Part B premium amount in 2022 is $170.10. If you get Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or Civil Service benefits, your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums will get deducted from your monthly benefit payment.

  6. Ben V.

    Really a big help. Thanks

    • Bea R.

      For all of you who think you are getting a SS raise, Medicare is going up to $170.10. They give and then they take.

      • Rayginol W.

        Do they take the 170 out every month ?

  7. Sharon m.

    Thanks for the raise in SSI beneficiaries. For is so much needed..

  8. Anthony Z.

    Very Happy to see the new addition for me in 2022.Its most needed and i thank you…God bless you all and for the work you do..

  9. Mary A.

    Thank you! Any increase is a blessing.

    And, thank you for providing clear and timely information.

    Wishing all peace.

  10. Laurie S.

    Thank you for the raise !

Comments are closed.