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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Margret B.
I went from spousal benefits in November to my own SS. I got my own starting December. Will I get the 5.9% increase from my December payment or my January payment?
V.V.
Hi Margret, 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.
Louis G.
When will I begin receiving my
$. 1,132.00 a month ? I m
89 years old .
V.V.
Hi Lois, 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!
Tim
If I get 1,126 a month now what will my 5.9% be?
V.V.
Hi Tim, 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!
Teresita I.
The information sent to me by SS is always in Spanish. I do speak the language but it is NOT my main language. How do I change it to English? Was waiting hours on the phone trying to speak to someone.
Thank you for your help.
V.V.
Hi Teresita, thanks for using our blog. 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.
kathryn e.
My husband ,daughter and I have always received our Social Security on the 3rd of each month will we still received our Social Security on the 3rd of January 2022
V.V.
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. If the third of the month is a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday, payments are dated and delivered on the first day preceding the third of the month which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.
kathryn e.
Thank You
Shay T.
I’ve always received my benefits on the 3rd of each month will I continue to do so. Because according to the Calendar and other publication it will change starting Jan 2022
V.V.
Hi Shay, 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. If the third of the month is a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday, payments are dated and delivered on the first day preceding the third of the month which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.
Deborah H.
Is social security changing the date of payment in 2022? If so what will happen between the usual date, mine is the 3rd of the month, and the new payment date?
V.V.
Hi Deborah, 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. If the third of the month is a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday, payments are dated and delivered on the first day preceding the third of the month which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the 2022 payment dates.
Ann D.
Vonda:
So is the Schedule of Social Security Payments for 2022 Payment Dates incorrect? It shows social security payments being distributed by birthday.
My client applied for regular social security benefits after 1997 and his birthday is on the 30th of the month. Will he still receive his check on the 3rd of the month as he is is receiving currently? Or will he now receive his check on the 4th Wednesday of the month as the calendar shows?
Ann D.
The Social Security Handbook also shows the payout to be 4th Wednesday of the month if your birthday is on the 30th. This handbook was last revised in April 2006 – is this information correct?
Shirley W.
I have to have a copy of my aunt’s benefit statement to include with her application for VA benefits. She has not received one, and she is 100 years old and does not have an online account. I haven’t been able to find anything online or speak with anyone about this. I have been on hold for hours today. Thanks for any help I can get. I do have power of attorney for her.
V.V.
Hi Shirley, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a benefit verification letter. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. Your aunt also may be able to request a benefit verification letter by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. You can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, she would indicate that she’s requesting a proof of income letter. We hope this helps.
Lions
The Social Security Administration recently announced that the beneficiaries will be getting increased benefits. The eligibility will also be raised to $1,132 per month for those who are over the age of 80 and $802 per month for those who are between 18-19.
Those who are living with disabilities will also be getting a higher benefit rate per month. In 2022, more than 70 million people will receive Social Security benefits which is an increase from the amount currently being received by 59 million people.
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Connie S.
I see we get a raise, but every time we get a raise the medical goes up. We were paying 148.50 and after the first of the year when the 5.9 increase hits so does the increase of medical to 170.10. Can you explain why this increases every time SS gets a increase?
V.V.
Hi Connie, thanks for using our blog. If you need information about Medicare, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps.