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. Dave B.

    I am currently 63 years old. I plan on taking my SS benefits starting at full retirement age of 66 years and 9 months. My current estimate for my SS benefit at that time is approximately $35,000 for the first year. I have seen that SS will go up in 2022 5.9% for all recipients. Will my rate when I take it at 66 years and 9 months reflect this 5.9% increase and any other annual increases between now and when I actually start receiving my benefits?

    • Vonda

      Hi Dave,, thanks for using our blog. If you are an insured worker, you are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits when you reach age 62. Regardless of when you choose to begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount will include all cost-of-living increases starting with December of the year you attain age 62. Check out our Social Security Benefit Amounts web page for more details. We hope this is helpful.

  2. Willie M.

    We use to receive an amount in October and it stopped 2018.
    Why?

    • Vonda

      Hi Willie, thanks for using our blog. The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022.  Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021. 

      For more details about the new COLA and the history, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.

      • Natalie B.

        Why is it I was getting more before I worked an I paid into ssi for almost 7years an I don’t understand how I’m not able to get what I paid into over the years, an I’m 66 an I get a letter as to how there was a over payment an I disagree with it I was underpaid an then in this award letter I see I’m going to get more as of November 2021 but yet they want to take 261.00 from me an I’m disabled as well as a senior,,, what can I do to get my increase like others on ssi an ssd,,??? I can’t even get a good case worker to help me get my benefits as I am entitled to get,

        • Vonda

          For your security, Natalie, 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 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.

  3. Maggie

    President Biden has done alot for the American people. Infact, from day one he has persistently accomplished more in his first few months than Trump had in his 4 waisted years of lieing, complaining, obstructing, colluding, bribing, blackmailing, threatening, all of the gop to do his dirty work by lieing for him and even his Big Lie and causing far more riots and RACIST hate crimes, causing more chaos and degradation to our CONSTITUTIONS and DEMOCRACIES and letting millions to dies needlessly from the pandemic when he had the power to do so but instead he and his GOPers still to this day continue with THEIR HANOUS OBSTRUCTIONS EARN going as far as causing voter Suppression against minorities even in their own states! They R corrupt and EVIL and the day of their destruction is soon coming to a terrible end as God of All is my witness in Christ Jesus name!

    • Tammy

      What the hell has that child sniffing perv done for this country? NOT ONE DAMN THING. He has at least 5 different crisis going on & will not lift a finger to fix them. He sold us out to China & does not give a f*#+ about the United States or the American citizens. He’s not even running the country. Let’s go Brandon, FJB

    • Ruth

      Maggie, lay off the drugs. Biden is everything you are accusing Trump of. Biden has only destroyed this country by his border crisis, to the horrible inflation on food, gas, and even our monthly utilities. And Biden has always went after SS because he hates the SS program, he’s been going after SS for the past 50 years that he’s been supposedly serving our country. Do your own research and stop taking the word of MSNBC, CNN, and every other bias liberal station.

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  6. KATHLEEN A.

    Just name one thing Joe Biden has done good for our country during his time in the White House so far? Can’t come up with one? me neither. These COLA benefits will help some I guess but it doesn’t make up for a senile president.

    • Donald W.

      What did the Lunatic do for the country besides dividing it even more then it already was he did spend a lot of tax payer dollars playing golf

    • Faith J.

      We are getting a 5.7% increase in Social Security. This is 1 BIG thing!!!

      • Vonda

        Hi Faith, 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.

        The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022.  Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021.

        For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.

        • Martin

          Embrace yourselves With the border open it will be caos, furthermore we as citizens of the U.S will be paying the ultimate price for Biden and his administration strategy to Damme this country more than it already is with them in power, truly unbelievable.

    • Marisol A.

      Will the Socal Security and SSI get more than this year the increase goes up on 2022

      • Vonda

        Hi Marisol, 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.

        The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022.  Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021. 

        For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.

  7. Robin R.

    I am very grateful for this cost of living increase. My long term care insurance is increasing 33% this year and this COLA will help offset the increase of that insurance premium.

    I’m also grateful for Medicare because my out of pocket expense for deductions is much less than it was with my employer’s policy with Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. They paid over 1000 dollars/month to cover me. I had a $6000 deductible on in network outpatient services and lost that amount in 2015 for outpatient services I needed.

    And yes, I do support the idea of universal health care or Medicare for all. I’m a retired RN.

  8. Gary A.

    The rich people are full of you know what, they never do the right for the people only for themselves, they can care less for the non- rich. If you are going to give us a raise make it count, a lot of senior citizen won’t even see the difference in they pay because Part B goes up to and so does everything else.

  9. Joe L.

    I plan on starting my SS benefit in March of 2022. Will I get the 5.9% COLA in March or is it only for those who are already collecting by end of 2021?

    • Vonda

      Hi Joe, thanks for using our blog. If you are an insured worker, you are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits when you reach age 62. Regardless of when you choose to begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount will include all cost-of-living increases starting with December of the year you attain age 62. Check out our Social Security Benefit Amounts web page for more details. We hope this is helpful.

      • Dave

        Does the estimator on SS.GOV include the new COLA amount. The amount I saw in the estimator in mid-2021 is the same in January 2022 for my retirement date of June 2022. Do I need to add 5.9% to the amount the estimator is showing me ?

  10. Tonia S.

    This COLA increase means nothing when the price I pay for Medicare part B also increases for 2022 the same percentage as COLA. This will not increase my monthly income. Prices for food, heat, electricity are rising, but there will be no extra income for me next year.

    • Char L.

      According to AARP, the Medicare Part B premium increase for 2022 is projected to be about $10.00. That’s less than 1%.

      • Jim F.

        Check your math, $10 increase on $148.50 is 6.7%.

        • Jim F.

          Tonia S
          You need to check your math too, as the percent of increase is on 2 different numbers, so you will certainly be taking home more money each month. Stop complaining when you don’t understand the facts!

Comments are closed.