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. Cheryl

    Is there a change in the dates to receive Social Security benefits starting this March 2022 … example if your day of birth is the 1st – 10th you’ll receive benefits on the 2nd Wednesday of the month … and so on

    • A.C.

      Hi, Cheryl. Our payment schedule has not changed. For most Social Security benefits, payment dates are based on your birthdate. We issue Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments at the beginning of the month. Check out our blog, What Day of the Month Do I Get my Social Security Payment? for more information. We hope this helps.  

  2. Steve S.

    Instead of Receiving a raise to the cola, my monthly amount actually went down???

    • A.C.

      Hi, Steve. 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.

  3. Carol

    Where do I get an annual report of earnings form for 2021? My husband earned over the annual exempt amount in 2021 but he retired January 2021. Does the monthly earnings test still apply?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Carol. It sounds like you are referring to the SSA-1099, a tax form Social Security mails each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. If for any reason your husband has not received his SSA-1099 in the mail, he can request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2021 by visiting his personal my Social Security account. For additional information on how to request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2021, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. He also may be able to request a replacement SSA-1099 by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. He can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that he’s requesting a replacement SSA-1099. As far as his earnings, if he was under his full retirement age, the earnings limit in 2021 was $18,960. In the year he reaches full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 he earns above a different limit, but we only count earnings before the month he reaches his full retirement age. For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. If he receives benefits and is under full retirement age and he thinks his earnings will be different than what he  originally told us, he should let us know right away. He cannot report a change of earnings online. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or he can contact his local Social Security office. We hope this helps. 

  4. Vickie p.

    On the stimulus checks i received the very first one but no more after that. Please explain

    • A.C.

      Hi, Vickie. Please visit the IRS website for all your Economic Income Payment-related questions. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!

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  6. Larry W.

    I have not seen any pay increase in my ssdi

    • Stinson

      I haven’t as well

  7. Jeseca C.

    Hello what is now the status of my application as widow, should i have to wait until i reach 60 years old and get my pension benifit? Im now 56.

  8. Joanna A.

    What’s the difference between widows benefits and survivers benefits?

  9. Frances G.

    Will people receiving disability benefits well we get another stimulus check this year of 2022

    • Vicki G.

      I hope but have not heard so

  10. Frances G.

    Will people on Disability benefits will receive iconomeck impact stimulus check this year of 2022

    • A.C.

      Hi, Frances. Please visit the IRS website for all your Economic Income Payment-related questions. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!

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