Social Security Benefits Increase in 2022
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast 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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Tags: COLA, my Social Security, my Social Security account
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Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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LORI A.
How come my state South Carolina has not increased my SSI? Will My SSI increase? Or will it just be SSDI? I can’t stand my local office representative workers.
They are condescending, rude, arrogant, lazy and very unprofessional. They deserve to lose their jobs and benefits. Perhaps it may humble their negative and narcissistic attitudes!!! 😡
V.V.
Hi Lori, thanks 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 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022. Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021.
For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.
Lori
If someone on SSDI is getting paid on the 3rd. that is staying the same? Who is the new Wednesday’s schedule for?
Paulexania S.
I am on disability Paulexania Sponseller is that all you need?
V.V.
Hi Lori, thanks for using our blog. Social Security’s payment schedule is not changing. Payment cycling based on one’s date of birth has been in place since 1997. If someone is getting their benefits on the third of the month, they will continue to receive their benefits on the third of the month.
Check out the Payment Dates section of the Social Security Handbook for more details. Also, check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.
Joseph W.
when will the cost of Medicare be known??
this dedicates how much we get clear less tax’s
LORI A.
Medicare part B will be $170.00 per month
V.V.
Hi Joseph, thank you for your question. Information about Medicare changes for 2022 are available at http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps!
Mary
Well 5.9% increase would’ve been of great help if low income people would’ve kept their Food Stamps help, or they would’nt be charged more for Medicare and rental raise in a USDA Subsidized Housing. So 5.9%? where did it go?
Kimberly K.
I don’t understand why benefit dates changed my bday falls on the 4th Wed . But all my bills are do on the the 3rd or so rent ect..How am I supposed to live for almost a month without any money!!!????
V.V.
Hi Kimberly, thanks for using our blog. We are not changing payment dates.
If you were receiving or applied for Social Security benefits on or before April 30, 1997, or if you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will receive your benefit on the third of the month. If you receive only SSI, you will receive your benefits on the first of the month. If you applied for Social Security benefits after April 30, 1997, the birthday of the person whose record you receive benefits under determines your payment date:
Date of Birth – Payment Day:
1st through 10th – Second Wednesday
11th through 20th – Third Wednesday
21st through 31st – Fourth Wednesday
Check out the Payment Dates section of the Social Security Handbook for more details. Also, check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.
Amy V.
Hi I have been receiving SSDI since 2007 and my payments have always been on the 3rd of every month, will that stay the same come next January?
V.V.
Hi Amy, thanks for using our blog. Social Security’s payment schedule is not changing. Payment cycling based on one’s date of birth has been in place since 1997. If you’re receiving your payments on the third of the month, you will continue to receive your payments on the third of the month.
Check out the Payment Dates section of the Social Security Handbook for more details. Also, check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.
Marge
when can you see your 2022 cola increase on ‘my social security” thanks
V.V.
Hi Marge, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you’re asking about your benefit amount for 2022, we will notify you by mail starting in early December about your new benefit amount. Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account. You may create or access your my Social Security account online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. We hope this helps!
Shynetta
How is the 5.9 percent raise
V.V.
Hi Shynetta, thanks 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 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022. Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021.
For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.
APRIL S.
1789 mackton Road Lamar SC 29069
Tijuana M.
The premium for Medicare Part B will increase nearly 15 percent in 2022, cutting the size of many social security checks.
Allyson A.
TRUST ME WE WONT SEE A DIME OF COLA UNTILL 2022 ITS TOO MUCH LIKE RIGHT TO SEND IT TOO US EARLY LIKE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER 2021 TOO MUCH LIKE RIGHT BECAUSE ALL POOR PEOPLE HAVE IS TIME SMH
Kat A.
They changed the dates as to when we get our checks…mine will be Dec 3 2021 and the next one won’t come until Jan 26, 2022
So no money for 7 weeks and 5 days
Teresa J.
Not true. If you are already getting it on the 3rd it won’t change. SSA staff have confirmed this multiple times. I panicked because I thought we were in the same situation. Nothing in the payment schedule is changing.
Theresa C.
My husband gets SSA and I get SSI he gets his full amount but they take it only give me less than 75% of my money so I end up with $188 when he gets a raise my money gets dropped we desperately need the marriage penalty dropped
V.V.
Hi Theresa, thanks for reaching out. If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits, a change in your household income can affect your benefits. This is because the amount of an SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income and resources available to the individual receiving SSI benefits and the income and resources of his or her spouse. Check out our Understanding SSI web page for additional details regarding income.
Eddie L.
when will benefit verification letter be available for 2022
V.V.
Hi Eddie, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you’re asking about your COLA notice, we will notify you by mail starting in early December about your new benefit amount. Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account. You may create or access your my Social Security account online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. We hope this helps!
Doug W.
Do we still get get regular raises after 70 years old?
V.V.
Hi Doug, thanks 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 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022. Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021.
For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.
Karen G.
Hold on. That little raise will be quickly consumed by increases in Medicare premiums. To 177 usd per month. I cannot support the President’s Social Infrastructure Bill regarding seniors. Read the bill. These home health services, and other things in the bill are means tested. So if you worked since you were 16, went to college, got a good job. Well, seems it was a waste. The majority of these benefits are means tested. 49,000 usd a year in retirement benefits? Forget anything in that bill that puts money or real benefits to you directly. Remember, means tested. So before long, those of us who prepared and worked paid taxes will have as much disposible income after rent, groceries, utilities will be about the same. Disappointing.
Beverly P.
Ok this is very confusing! In one spot it says dates are changing for payments, then you say there not, so which is it? I’ve always received my check on the 3rd of every month. I really can’t afford the extra that will be tacked on all my bills for them being late! I’m sure many people will be in the same boat…why the big change all at once? 1953 Baby
Barbara C.
I called the SS office today, and was told that my check will still come on the third of the month. That is not what I am reading online. Please give us an answer to this question if we are currently receiving our social security check on the 3rd of the month where we continue to receive it on the 3rd of the month otherwise my check won’t come until the end of the month which will make me go a whole month without a check.
V.V.
Hi Barbara, thanks for reaching out. Social Security’s payment dates have not changed. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.
RITA W.
Vonda…The link ‘ Schedule of Social Security Benefits’ DOES REFLECT changes in benefit issuance dates. Issuance of benefits will now be dependent upon our birth date. ONLY recipients receiving benefits prior to 1997 will continue to receive their benefits on the 3rd of the month.
V.V.
Hi Rita. If you receive your benefits on the third of the month, you will continue to receive your benefits on the third of the month. You can call your local Social Security office if you have additional questions. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.