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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P S.
Have the 2022 cola statements been mailed? Haven’t received mine & it’s December 12th. I know Post Office is very slow.
Gary M.
Social Security benefit amount Dec. 3, 2021 – ?
V.V.
Hi Gary, thanks for reading our blog. We are mailing the COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. 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!
Jo E.
I keep getting letters telling me that I may be entitled to an extra 144$, depending on my zip code. None have cone from the SSA. Is this real?
Scott
No I’ve been told by a social security agent that it’s not a possibility cause social doesn’t give away free or extra money but they will help with medical assistance and medications that can add up to that and more in medicare all you have heard about
The free $144.00 is fraudulent and a scam
Don’t believe it .
V.V.
Hi Jo, thanks for using our blog. Check out our blog post “Don’t Be Misled by False Medicare or Social Security ads” for details on what you can do if you receive misleading information. We hope this helps.
Irwin R.
The cost of living increase for 2022 is 5.9%. Why is this calculated on the $ net amount and not on the $ gross amount?
Thank you in advance
TerryF
Good question! And when we get this increase how much is Medicare going to cost us? Do we really get an increase if you take more fore Medicare?
V.V.
Hi Terry, thanks for using our blog. Information about Medicare changes for 2022 is available at http://www.medicare.gov. Final 2022 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.
V.V.
Hi Irwin, 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. Information about Medicare changes for 2022 is available at http://www.medicare.gov. Final 2022 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.
Alex
Thank you for publishing this information, it was very helpful to me.please
Marie F.
I am 84. I collect survivors Benefits on my divorced husband. We both had birthday at the end of the month. When will get s.s. payment in Jan.
V.V.
Hi Marie, 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.
Ernestine L.
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Ann D.
Vonda – You say that Marie F’s payment will still be received on the 3rd of the month. The 2022 Schedule of Social Security Payments for 2022 shows that payments will be made at different times of the month, based on birthday. I’m working with a client who receives Social Security benefits at the beginning on the month. His birthday is on the 30th of January. When will he receive his payment? From the looks of the 2022 Payment Schedule, he will not receive it until the 4th Wednesday of the month. He is concerned because his last check was received at the beginning of December.
V.V.
Hi Ann, thanks for using our blog. The schedule is not changing. Check out the Payment Dates section of the Social Security Handbook for more details.
Richard B.
Will my social security disability benefits continue to direct deposit into my bank account on the 3rd of each month like they have since November 2016? A number of sites have stated that the benefits paid dates are about to change which will totally ruin me!
V.V.
Hi Richard, 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.
Jacqueline S.
Has the social security notices been mailed out yet for the 2022 increase?
Linda A.
Yes have they been sent out yet
V.V.
Hi Linda, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We are mailing the COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. 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!
Roderick
When will we the letter
V.V.
Hi Roderick, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We are mailing the COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. 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!
V.V.
Hi Jacqueline, thanks for reading our blog and for your question.We are mailing the COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. 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!
karina L.
how much will they give ssi payments in 2022 i haven’t received my letter saying a raise and i get ssi payments a month ?
V.V.
Hi Karina, 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.
Enoch B.
As a retired person, $148.50 was subtracted from my SS check each month this year. What will be subtracted for 2022?
Ellen W.
Is $148.50 deduction same for 2022
V.V.
Hi Ellen, thanks for using our blog. Information about Medicare changes for 2022 is available at http://www.medicare.gov. Final 2022 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.
V.V.
Hi Enoch, thanks for using our blog. Information about Medicare changes for 2022 is available at http://www.medicare.gov. Final 2022 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.
Anthony M.
Is the 5.9 percent increase also being applied to projected/estimated payments for people whom have not yet applied for benefits? I am 62 and waiting for my full retirement date in 3-1/2 years. If my estimated monthly payment is currently projected to be $1500 will it change to $1588.50?
V.V.
Hi Anthony, thanks for using our blog. If you are an insured worker, you are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits when you reach age 62. Regardless of when you choose to begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount will include all cost-of-living increases starting with December of the year you attain age 62. Check out our Social Security Benefit Amounts web page for more details. We hope this is helpful.