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. Emma

    Fortunately, now it is not at all necessary to rely only on benefits, because everyone can additionally engage in investments. This is a winning tactic in my opinion, and click here – you can find information that will help you with this.

  2. Bill B.

    I will be eligible in July of 2022 to receive benefits. Will these future benefits also be increased the 5.9 percent ? So far my benefits amount estimate chart showing has not changed vs what it was in 2021.

    Thanks

    • Latonya

      hi i received a email saying submission status updated but it wasnt nothing there

      • A.C.

        Hi, Latonya. We are sorry to hear that. If you are still are encountering a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.

    • Thomas E.

      Bill , wondering what is happening as I to see no change!??

  3. Andrew A.

    Hello my name is Andrew. And I used to receive my SSI benefits on the 3rd of each month. I received a award letter of my new increase for the year 2022.. and on the letter I was told that the day that I have been receiving my benefits on were going to be changed to the 3rd Wednesday of the month and. This past Wednesday was the 3rd Wednesday of the month. And I still haven’t received my benefits. How can I check why I haven’t received them..

    • A.C.

      Hi, Andrew. If you do not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks!

  4. Jeff L.

    I haven’t applied for social security yet. Why didn’t my benefit estimate increase 5.9% from my 2021 estimate?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Jeff. 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.

  5. Susan R.

    Will those of us who begin collecting in 2022 see the increase in our estimated amounts?

  6. Amil s.

    AMil yeah what ever some one tell u about Me give me a call 3023451745 idk y’all call y’all self try cut my disability off for janika Rhoda smith don’t need to mAnge any more my money cause she homeless and her family also agree u thur y’all
    Less you give her own benefit not even suppose let nobody mange someone money I be want to take y’all to court for my money you didn’t earn for my hard work

    • A.C.

      Hi, Amil. 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media.We hope this helps.

       

       

  7. eileen c.

    What date did they mail out the letters I’m still waiting. Can not download.

    • Zenola B.

      Hi I am still wondering when my increase (cola) will come March 1 is my bd

      • A.C.

        Hi, Zenola. 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. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Eileen. We mailed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices throughout the entire month of December. If you still have not received your notice, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. We hope this helps. 

    • Freddie J.

      I DID NOT RECEIVE A RAISE O

  8. Stephen K.

    Darlynda, SSA used my 2019 IRS filing to calculate 2022 benefits. Understandable, we filed in October 2021 for 2020. But the 2020 is the correct filing to use and it makes a sizable difference. Have not had any success reaching my local Lakewood, CO office to make a phone appointment and fix this. From one longtime communications pro to another, can you help navigate this? Thanks.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Stephen. We are sorry to hear that. For more information about rules for higher-income beneficiaries and what to do if your income has gone down, please visit our Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries page. We hope this helps. 

      • Stephen K.

        Ann-
        None of the categories on FORM SSA-44 fit my situation. I simply need SSA to base my 2022 benefits on the most recent tax filing which is for the year 2020. SSA based the 2022 benefits on the 2019 tax filing, during which I had huge capital gains. I’ve already been “penalized” for that. You surely have encountered this situation before, so may I send you my 2020 signed filing and be done with this. Local office never answers phone. I’ve been in PR and public affairs for 40 years so I know this isn’t an easy time. Thanks.

        • A.C.

          Hi, Stephen. 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. JOHN P.

    I’m glad that I found this blog. Many thanks for the valuable information. It helps me to serve others better.

    — worker in an LA County welfare office

  10. Jamie D.

    I was receiving SSI from 2006-2016. Then from no where it was taken from me. Long story short after 4 yrs. w/out my SSI. Finally on Jan.13th. I was approved again. Now I was receiving the amount everyone I assume gets $794. Also while I was waiting to be approved for SSI they gave me my check for 6 months @ $794. Now I’m told I will only receive $661. I want to know why. Do I have to pay back the money I was receiving for 6 months. Please someone help me with an answer thanks

    • A.C.

      Hi, Jamie. 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.

Comments are closed.