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. John C.

    Do SSA recipients get the 5.9% increase.

    • Jim C.

      Most likely YES, but truth is Medicare will take back around $30 (estimated or more) so truth is you will not see all the promised increase.

      Why did Medicare cost increase SO MUCH in one year?

      Free health care to illegals is a major contributing factor and…..

      Aging domestic population and health care system taking advantage of Affordable Health Care Act (Obama care).

    • Vonda

      Hi John, 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.

      For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.

    • Vonda

      Hi John, 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.

  2. Kimberly Z.

    Will people on Social Security disability under the age of 65 beginning the $200 raise in January 2022. I will be 60 next year.

    • Ronnie M.

      I am 68 and I haven’t hear from ssa about my award letter for 2022 whats the delay

      • Vonda

        Hi Ronnie, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We mailed the COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. You can also securely view and save the Social Security COLA notice online via the Message Center inside your my Social Security account . If you don’t have an account, create one today.

        You can also 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. We hope this helps!

    • Vera L.

      no $200 raise. It is a 5.9% raise and then medicare will take most of that for your health care

    • Vonda

      Hi Kimberly, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. 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.

      For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.

  3. Hamilton J.

    Yas

  4. Rita M.

    Please mail me my 2022 Social Security Benefit Statement. This statement should refer to the amount I will be paying for Medicare Part B for 2022.

    • Vonda

      Hi Rita, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We mailed the COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. You can also securely view and save the Social Security COLA notice online via the Message Center inside your my Social Security account . If you don’t have an account, create one today. You can also 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. We hope this helps!

  5. Dave

    I just applied for social security and was told it’s been approved and my first payment will be in March 2022. They said the amount was $1,029 per month. Does anyone know if the 5.9% COLA is factored into the amount quoted or will the March payment start at an amount 5.9% higher than the $1,029??

    • Vonda

      Hi Dave, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. 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. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  6. Joseph M.

    I have been getting my social security checks deposited on the 2nd wednesday of wach month. Will that date change due to recent changes in the program?

    • Vonda

      Hi Joseph, 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.

  7. Nancy L.

    I though the medicare part B insurance for 2022 was $148.00 monthly but a letter came recently stating it is $170.10 starting January 2022.
    Is this correct?
    thanks Nancy L.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Nancy. For more information about Medicare costs, please visit Medicare’s webpage, Medicare Costs at a Glance. We hope this helps.

  8. Frankie M.

    If I make 1200 in ssa payments now what will I be getting next month

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Frankie. 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.

  9. Irving W.

    I have not received my increase yet for SS in Jan 2022. My wife received hers weeks ago. Why have I not received any notice by now? Thanks

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Irving. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We mail cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices throughout the entire month of December. However, you may be able to access it via the Message Center in your personal my Social Security account if you created it by November 17, 2021. Thanks!

  10. lloyd

    iam 63 years old but not receiving SS yet do get the increase also

Comments are closed.