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

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Comments

  1. Judy P.

    What’s the use in getting a raise if you go up on Medicare should not go up on Medicare when we get a raise

    • Marlene P.

      Hi I want to no if I’m getting a raise on my ssl check

      • Vonda

        Hi Marlene, 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.

  2. Christine N.

    What good is a cost of living increase if it gets snatched away & I’m left with LESS then before the increase??
    You gave me a raise but ur increasing my medical payment for MORE then the raise
    Please explain

  3. John F.

    I have a question about the cola increase.
    Since the government gave an increase to the people of 5.9% then why is it that Medicare can raise your prices approximately 14.55%. Please explain why this is happening went to the Medicare recipients feel that it should never go over the same cost of living increase that we are given. Thank You

  4. Margaret A.

    How can I get a copy of my 2022 payment amounts and deductuons?

    • Vonda

      Hi Margaret, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We mailed the COLA notices throughout the month of December and the beginning of January 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. Jean

    My son receives his SS check always on the 3rd of the month. He did not receive the rate increase in his check for January 3, 2022 (today)! Can you inform us why he did not receive the increase. He nor his father nor I received notices of the rate increases for 2022.

    • Vonda

      For your security, Jean, 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.

  6. Candace M.

    My SS is reduced by the WEP. After the autopay for Medicare I get $137 a month. I retired under a job abolishment retirement in 1997 and began SS in 2008 at age 62. The amount I receive has not increased even though there have been COLAs.

    • Vonda

      For your security, Candace, 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.

  7. Jacalyn c.

    I haven’t received a notice from ss about any increase. Will there be one and how much?

    • Vonda

      Hi Jacalyn, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We mailed the COLA notices throughout the month of December and the beginning of January 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!

  8. Steve S.

    If your benefit is subject to a Government Pension Offset you’d better check the COLA math closely. The GPO amount should not be subject to yearly changes but SSA has increased mine the past two years.

    • Vonda

      For your security, Steve, 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.

  9. irene m.

    sure would like to know when i am going to recieve my cola statement my check is due on jan.12th 22 it sure would be nic to know how much i,ll be geting.my bills are due to.

  10. Lillie N.

    This new social security pymts schedule for 2022 who’s dumb ideas were this? We seniors depends on ours checks being deposited into ours acct third of each month.we got no notices at all about the cola raise then I’m told come January 2022 I not get my check till fourth Wednesday of month I can’t pay my bills buy food do nothing if this is true.all my bills be late and the latest fees will take all my money I use buy my food for the month with all I paid my bills I won’t have no money and being late in paying my bills I’ll get water electricity trash pick up tv service and my phone all cut off due to being late I’ve to have my phone it’s the only way I can keep in touch with my profoundly deaf grandson who’s I’m having to see after since he loss his mom and dad 2020 within 6 weeks apart don’t do this new schedule to us it’s will only makes ours lives unliveableHELP US LEAVE CHECKS AT THIRD OF MONTH

    • Rhett J.

      There are exemptions!!! still paid on 3rd if you applied for benefits before may 1997

      You are rec SSI

      The state pays your Medicare premium QMB

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