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. CAROLYN R.

    what will be gross amt of check in jan

    • charmian s.

      what will the

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Carolyn. 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 8:00 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.

  2. David B.

    Hello 👋 I’m on SSDI and just recently went into the welfare office I believe it is and my regular payment was 990 a month but end of Nov wen I went to the office they gave me the increase right there and then so my Dec payment was about 1040. I won’t receive another until a year later if I continue to have to be on SSDI correct? Because I would rather ask if you guys made a mistake than take advantage. Thankyou for reply in advance.

    • Vonda

      For your security, David, 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.  

  3. L t.

    I can’t believe we only get a raise of 5.9% this is not even 1/2 of what the increase in everything is! 5.9% won’t even buy toilet paper for 3 months! What happened to the $200. Increase per month ? The minimum wage is a higher increase than that!! My bills are more than my check now an that’s just standard bills! An they are going up too! Why don’t the the house give us their raise they get? Like 100,000 + per yr? Like they need it!! This is disgrace full! Nobody can make it on that!

    • Sharon B.

      Agree 100%. Heard medicare going up!!!!

    • Dana L.

      I enjoyed reading your rightful bitch. I’m in the same boat. SSDI people are screwed! Even if we’re able to work 16 hours a week to survive, we can’t! My check each month is hard to live on.

    • Jose R.

      You are 100% right!
      God bless you

  4. Ruth E.

    Vonda, you are saying the dates our payments come are not changing, but when I go to the payment schedule it shows on the calendar that we are getting our payments on our birthdates. Which is correct?

    • Vonda

      Hi Ruth, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. Your payment schedule is not changing. Check out the Payment Dates section of the Social Security Handbook for more details.   

      • John C.

        I am on medicade and medicare will my direct deposit be on the third as it has been?

        • Vonda

          Hi John, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security payment schedule is not changing. If you receive your Social Security benefits on the third of the month, you will continue to receive them on the third of the month. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.

  5. Julie P.

    I keep reading the response that the social security payment schedule will not be changing but when I click the Schedule of Social Security Payments for 2022 the dates have indeed changed based on individual birth dates. Which is correct? It won’t change or it is changing in 2022? It is quite confusing.

    • Vonda

      Hi Julie, thanks for using our blog. Your payment schedule is not changing. Check out the Payment Dates section of the Social Security Handbook for more details.   

  6. William V.

    You keep telling people that if they receive their check on the 3rd of the month in 2021, they will continue to receive it on the 3rd of the month in 2022. Then you tell them to check the payment schedule. However, the schedule shows staggered Wednesday payments, depending on birthday, unless you have been on social security before 1997, then you will receive your check on the 3rd. Please clarify this anomaly, because along with everyone else who receives benefits this new schedule destroys my ability to pay my bills on time.

    • Vonda

      Hi William, thanks for reaching out. Your payment schedule is not changing. Check out the Payment Dates section of the Social Security Handbook for more details.   

      • Brian C.

        Why don’t SS administration on this blog answer a direct ?. Are they bots, its insane we get no straight answers!

        • Vonda

          Hi Brian, thanks for reaching out. If you have a question that we were unable to answer on the blog, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call 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. Hopefully this helps.

  7. Mandy H.

    Are the dates that social security checks are being mailed changing from the 1st and 3rd to a date corresponding with your birthday date?

    • Vonda

      Hi Mandy, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security payment schedule is not changing. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.

      • Mandy H.

        Thank you Vonda, so who is receiving the benefits on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays?

  8. Margee B.

    I’m trying to find out the amount I will be getting each month in 2022. I normally receive a notification in the mail, but didn’t this year. How do I find out?

    • Vonda

      Hi Margee, thanks for using our blog. We will mail COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees.

    • ELT0N B.

      If I get $800 how much will my increase be the amount 5.9 how much would my check be

      • ELT0N B.

        I received my check on the 1st and the 3rd I get $31 on the first I get $800 on the 3rd what will my increase be in how much will my check be

        • ELT0N B.

          How much would my check be if my benefit increases 5.9 and I get 800 a month on the 3rd

          • L T.

            Use a calculator!

        • Vonda

          Hi Elton, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. 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!

      • Tammy

        Take the amount you are paid
        $800 multiple it by 5.9% that gives you your new amount.

        You will get $847.
        If you pay for Medicare, it will be $847-$170
        You will be paid $677
        You will loss almost $200. That’s stupid.

  9. kathryn e.

    I used to get my check on the 3rd of the month now according to my birthday I won’t get it til the 2nd Wed of the month and thats after the 3rd my late fee starts on the 4th so I’ll be late by the time I get my check which is the 9th of Jan

    • Vonda

      Hi Kathryn, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security payment schedule is not changing. If you receive your Social Security benefits on the third of the month, you will continue to receive them on the third of the month. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.

  10. kathryn r.

    I started getting Social Security after 1997 and this new way of being paid in Jan 2022 is going to cause me to be late on my rent every month and I will be charged a 40.00 late fee so its reallytmessed me up paying my monthly bills and I’m sure I’m not the the only one this is going to effect

    • Vonda

      Hi Kathryn, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security payment schedule is not changing. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.

Comments are closed.