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
See CommentsAbout the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Mark A.
I did not receive any paperwork in November to choose any deduction. for Fed, Meadacare.
Vonda
Hi Mark, thanks for using our blog. If you’re asking about having federal taxes withheld from your Social Security benefits, you can download the form or call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 and ask for Form W-4V. When you complete the form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld for taxes. Mail the completed, signed form to your local Social Security office. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain their mailing address.
Check out our Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this is helpful!
Connie
Why did my check go down instead of increasing I got 197.10 last year per month and this year 2022 I will only get 167.00
Vonda
Hi Connie, thanks for using our blog. 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 where we have representatives available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. business days. You can also 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.
Sharon s.
Haven’t received mine either. Check is due next wed. Is that going to be late also?
Sidney K.
1-6-22
I did not receive my letter from Social Security for 2022. When were the letters mailed?
Vonda
Hi Sidney, 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!
Queen H.
qceec2002@yahoo.com
Queen H.
i haven got the letter you send out in Derember i haven recend one .i need the letter for the rent folse .
Vonda
Hi Queen, 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!
Patricia W.
For budgeting purposes, I’m trying to find out what date I should expect my monthly social security deposit to be in my bank. In 2021 the day was not consistent. Even a date of “no later than ______” would be of help in planning. Thank you.
Vonda
Hi Patricia, 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.
Debbie K.
My FRA is 66 yrs. 4 mo. I am currently 65 yrs. 4 mo. in January, 2022. My SS Earnings Record states my monthly benefit would be $ 2.451/mo.
as of today but my 2021 earnings have not been posted yet and that will be one of my 35 highest grossing years for calculation purposes. I retired last month and have no earnings in 2022. Will I be penalized and receive a lower monthly benefit if I enroll for my monthly SS payments when I am 65 years and 5 months and not yet FRA?
Vonda
Hi Debbie, thank you for the question. By delaying receiving your benefits beyond your full retirement age, you are receiving a higher benefit. Your year of birth and the number of months you delay determines how much your benefit increases. See our Delayed Retirement Credits web page for details.
When applying for benefits, we will include your 2021 earnings if you submit your W-2. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance. When you’re ready to apply, you can apply online.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or 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. We hope this information helps.
Gail C.
What are my SS benefits for 2022
Vonda
Hi Gail, 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!
Gail C.
What is my monthly ss benefits for 2022
Maureen H.
I was approved for SS effective Jan 2022, as I retired this past Fall and turned 62 in Dec 2021. I anticipate receiving my 1st payment the 3rd week of Feb 2022. I am not able to see a COLA notice in my account and wondered if it is because my first payment has not occured yet?
Thank you!
Vonda
Hi Maureen, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 where we have representatives available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. business days. You can also 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.
Emily L.
Some people over 65 will actually receive an increased monthly benefit from SocSec; others of us have it immediately taken away by an increase in the cost of Medicare. Can you explain why that that is?
Vonda
Hi Emily, thanks for using our blog. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security cost-of-living increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums. The Social Security Act contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects most beneficiaries. The amount of the benefit will stay the same even though the Medicare Part B premium increases. Check out the Blog post for additional details: How the Hold Harmless Provision Protects Your Benefits.