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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Linda P.
It’s Dec 27 now and I haven’t received a letter or email or nothing about a raise for me
Vonda
Hi Linda, 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!
Carolyn A.
I’ve never received notice of any changes in benefit,whether it’s dollar amount or date of payment. How do I find these answers
Vonda
Hi Carolyn, 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!
Annette M.
There are scammers, hackers and identity theft people out there trying to steal your information and pray especially on the elderly. Never give out your social security number or personal identifying information to anyone asking for it on the internet, email, people coming to your door or over the phone. When in doubt, call the specific agency yourself to make inquiries when you have questions.
Daniel
I checked my new benefits statement and my new benefit is less than I am receiving.
I wonder why. Call anyone explain this?
I started paying in to SS at 14 years old. At the time of disability I was making abt 60k per year so my benefit was a little higher than average.
Did SS lower those with higher benefits to pay those higher benefits to those with lower earning benefits?
Vonda
For your security, Daniel, 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 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 information helps.
Marina P.
If you were already on disability does anyone know if i really dont get paid on the 3rd of jan and have to wait until the 19th? I never recieved a letter or notification, im going to lose my home if i dont pay rent and bills thats are directly taken out on the 3rd?! Why was their no notification so one could prepare?
Lynn
This is an excellent question. How do bills get paid on time if receiving payment SSI etc far later in the month? No letter to prepare? I happened to find a story online. Please Social Security Offices, do not delay payment. What about food for the disabled on SNAP? Any change? Let us know who decides these things and PLEASE educate them on the reliance of payments to people retired or on disability. Can they be that dense? It would be nice to not have to worry about such things, wouldn’t it? But some (me) do not have that luxury. The increase should cover the late fees? Someone? did not consider this? Ekkkkk.
Vonda
Hi Marina, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security payment schedule is not changing.
Tammie C.
When will the Social security reward letters be sent out in mail of 2022
Vonda
Hi Tammie, 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!
Kay P.
I’ve been getting social security disability for 10yrs now, on the 3rd of the month, is this changing for me or staying the same date?
Tracy B.
So just give me the social security number also you’re first and last name please and ext. Kay Penfold send it to my instagram @traymovinn
Diana
Don’t give ANYONE your SS number on this site!!!
Diana
Kay please do NOT give anyone your Social Security number and first and last name. Call someone at SSA or create an account.
Vonda
Hi Kay, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security payment schedule is not changing.
Timothy H.
How are my wife and me supposed to pay our rent if you are moving our payments out to the second and fourth weeks of each month our landlord will evict us.
Vonda
Hi Timothy, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security payment schedule is not changing.
KM
I’ve been receiving my SSDI on the 3rd of each month. How am I supposed to pay rent on time if the schedule is changing? Why are benefits no longer being deposited on the 3rd of each month anymore?
James R.
If you can create or login to your SS account here and you will see the payment dates for those of us already registered and receiving payments has not changed. I verified this for myself Hope that helps.
Theresa S.
So will I get a Cola check on the 3rd of January and one on my regular disbursement date of 4th Wednesday in January? So confused
Marina P.
Me as well why were we not told the $ wouldn’t be paid as usual on the 3rd? Ill lose everything if i don’t pay and it auto payments SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN IM ON DISABILITY
Maggie
You should be getting it on the same day that you always have if you are disabled. Try not to worry everybody. That does no good. Believe me. I know. Good luck and a happy new year!
Vonda
Hi Theresa, 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.
Nancie S.
I hope what you wrote is true I have been very worried about this I have received my SSDI payments since 2003 on the same date each month
Vonda
Hi KM, thanks for using our blog. The Social Security payment schedule is not changing.
SUSAN J.
When visiting the MySSA page, do the estimates for my monthly payment include the COLA increase or no?
Vonda
Hi Susan, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. The estimated benefits provided by the Social Security Statement are in today’s dollars using your Social Security earnings record. A Social Security retirement benefit is calculated by using your highest 35 years of earnings. Check out our factsheet Your Retirement Benefit: How It’s Figured for more details.