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
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Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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William k.
My wife and i are both 75 if die before her she should receive 100% of my benifit as a widow but i retired at 62 and recevied a reduced benefit amount instead of waiting for full retirement. Does she receive the 100% of my reduced amount which i draw now or does she receive 100% of the full amount as if i gad worked until i was 72. She is also receiving the spousal amount my social security now.
K.O.
Hello William, thank you for using our blog. Your wife’s survivor amount would be based on your earnings. The more you paid into Social Security, the higher her benefit will be. If you are already receiving benefits when you die, survivors benefits are based on that amount. The percentage of that amount that your wife would receive depends on how old she is when she files as a widow. We are only going to pay the highest benefit amount from either record, meaning you don’t get both retirement and widow(er)s benefits but the higher of the two.
Widows benefit are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widowers benefit at full retirement age or older.
Check out our Planning For Your Survivors web page to look at how your family members are protected if you die. We hope this helps.
Patricia L.
If we are getting a 5.9% raise then what would are SSI checks be ?? I’m in ny state
K.O.
Hello Patricia, 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.
Dean
Social Security gets 5.9% increase, Medicare payments increase 14.5%????
Dean
Medicare Part B premiums for 2022 jump by 14.5% from this year, far above the estimated rise in cost.
Terry T.
I’ve been trying to get my SS pay started since September. I called my local office and they said someone would call back. Didn’t happen. I’ve tried calling my local office again but after all the recordings it goes to hold then it says all agents are busy and to call back later, GOOD BUY. Tried online, then the HELP line. She said a letter would be sent in 5 to 10 days. Still waiting on that letter. Trying to be civil but it’s not easy.
A.C.
Hi, Terry. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please be aware our call volumes are higher than normal. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call. We hope this is resolved soon.
Dolores N.
Along with our social security increase we are now getting paid on different dates. Currently Social Security it’s paid on the 3rd of the month, but in 2022 it will vary based on your date of birth. I live in subsidized housing and most of the elderly pay their rent on the 3rd when they get their Social Security payment because they don’t have any savings left. It’s hard to live on Social Security if you get just enough that you that you do not qualify for Medicaid or food stamps. We already have to pay a lot of medical bills, co-payments on our prescriptions, deductibles on our medical bills and we are living on Social Security only. Many of us will be paying our rent late and incurring a late payment fee. There goes our increase! And in some places the orderly will be evicted for late payments. I guess we can just live in our cars, that is if you have a car!
Joann A.
I just found out today and immediately contacted my landlord and utility companies..I am so so mad. Whew
A.C.
Hi, Dolores. Thanks for your comment. Social Security payments were always dated and delivered on the 3rd day of the month, except if the 3rd is on a holiday or the weekend. In May 1997, the Social Security Administration started delivering Social Security on the 3rd of the month and on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The three new payment dates are assigned based on the beneficiary’s day of birth. Beneficiaries entitled to Social Security benefits prior to May 1997 continue to receive their benefits on the 3rd of each month. We hope this information is helpful.
Jana D.
I receive my SSA on the third of each month. I first started in 1994 with SSI. In 2010 It changed to SSA Disability and retirement. I can not afford for my incoming amount to come at the 3nd of the month. I would receive major to late fees for my rent and all my bills.
Jana D.
The end of the month. I currently receive my SSA on the 3rd. ( For correction for the typo) I can not pay my bills if the date that I receive my SSA or SSDI get issued based on the day of the month that my birth day is at the end of the month. Please explain.
A.C.
Hi, Jana. Thanks for your comment. Social Security payments were always dated and delivered on the 3rd day of the month, except if the 3rd is on a holiday or the weekend. In May 1997, the Social Security Administration started delivering Social Security on the 3rd of the month and on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The three new payment dates are assigned based on the beneficiary’s day of birth. Beneficiaries entitled to Social Security benefits prior to May 1997 continue to receive their benefits on the 3rd of each month. We hope this helps.
Patricia R.
So you are saying that new people will be getting their benefits according to their date of birth? This is something like Snap did when they change their dates. I start receiving mines in 2007.
V.V.
Hi Patricia, thanks for reaching out. The payment schedule is not changing. If you were receiving or applied for Social Security benefits on or before April 30, 1997, or if you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will receive your benefit on the third of the month. If you receive only SSI, you will receive your benefits on the first of the month. If you applied for Social Security benefits after April 30, 1997, the birthday of the person whose record you receive benefits under determines your payment date:
Date of Birth – Payment Day:
1st through 10th – Second Wednesday
11th through 20th – Third Wednesday
21st through 31st – Fourth Wednesday
Check out the Payment Dates section of the Social Security Handbook for more details. Also, visit our Schedule of Social Security Payments web page for payment dates.
David p.
How can I see if I can receive more pay a month if I got divorced in 2018 and I don’t receive child support because the judge went off my ssdi payments I get a month for my daughter.
A.C.
Hi, David. Thanks for your question. 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.
Michael
Why does my disability SSI work out to be only $10 per hour based on a 40 hour/52 week year when the minimum wage is higher? Doesn’t seem right.
R. G.
I think also. if a person is getting food stamps and the raise gives them, say fifty dollars. then they will probably lose a hundred dollars worth of food benefits. so where’s the increase ?
V.V.
Hi Michael, thanks for using our blog. If you’re receiving monthly Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, the monthly amount is based on your average lifetime earnings. If you’re receiving monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, the amount is based on factors such as the federal benefit rate, your income and resources. We hope this helps!
john s.
will SSD increase in 2022?
A.C.
Hi,John, 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.
Carol C.
Will people on social security disability get the same cost of living raise as people on social security
V.V.
Hi Carol, 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.
Cheryl S.
What date does this CILS increase go into effect?
Cheryl S.
Cola increase*
V.V.
Hi Cheryl, thanks for your question. 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.
Mark
I start receiving benefits in January 2022…will I receive a COLA increase as well?
V.V.
Hi Mark, 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.
Jerry S.
I have been trying to get my certified itemized earnings statement from SSA so I can pull out my retirement. My union has to have this statement in order for me to be paid out. I have been trying to get this from them for over a year. No one can help me not even assembly Mark Takano. SSA obviously doesn’t have to do their jobs. I am at my wits end. It has been a year unbelievable. I cannot find anyone to help me. I even had to pay for this form twice now 92.00 a shot and still nothing. And boy are they rude too.
Sonya L.
When r we going to get o new proof of cola letter for 2o21 from SSI people from ssa in Lafayette la
V.V.
Hi Sonya, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you’re asking about your 2022 COLA notice, we will notify you by mail starting in early December about your new benefit amount. Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account. You may create or access your my Social Security account online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. We hope this helps!
V.V.
For your security,Jerry, 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.