COLA

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2023

October 13, 2022 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

older adults standing and talkingApproximately 70 million Americans will see a 8.7% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2023. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.

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 higher. 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 personal my Social Security account. You can access this information in early December, prior to receiving the mailed notice. Benefit amounts will not be available before December. Since you will receive the COLA notice online or in the mail, you don’t need to contact us to get your new benefit amount.

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 by changing your Preferences in the Message Center. You can update your preferences to opt out of the mailed COLA notice, and any other notices that are available online. 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 15, 2022 to receive the 2023 COLA notice online.

“Medicare premiums are going down and Social Security benefits are going up in 2023, which will give seniors more peace of mind and breathing room. This year’s substantial Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that we can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned,” Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said.

January 2023 marks when other changes 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 2023 will be higher. The retirement earnings test exempt amount will also change in 2023.

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 2023 COLA here.

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  1. Amanda P.

    I’ve been trying to sign into my account with the pin you guys sent me and it’s telling me that it’s expired and I just received it the other day.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Amanda. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter 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.

       

       

      • martin g.

        This is a scam ,I going to report you guys

        • Lisa P.

          No it is not a scam they are real people in there why you say they are scam

  2. Natalie N.

    I was told today, that I did not qualify for housing assistance because my 2023 social security will put me over the limit. I have been waiting for ten months for this retirement home to be built. Now, they are saying that I do not qualify for the 30% help from the government. Is there anything I can do about this situation? I don’t want this increase of social security. Now I have no where to live. Why are they counting this increase now? We want see it till January. Please help!

    • Sandy

      If it is HUD subsidized, they will allow deductions for excess medical expenses such as high pharmacy bills.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Natalie. We are sorry to hear about your situation. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.

  3. Jay B.

    I’m in the process of filing for Social Security, with benefits to start in February when I turn 66 and 4 months. My question is: will the COLA increase apply to me and change the number I am now seeing in ‘My Social Security’ account even though I have not received social security up to this point? Or will the estimated number I see now be the approximate number?

    • Nancy W.

      Following this as I have same question.

  4. Loni R.

    Greetings… I’m in the process of filing for Social Security, with benefits to start in February when I turn 67. My question is: will the COLA increase apply to me and change the number I am now seeing in ‘My Social Security’ account even though I have not received social security up to this point? Or will the estimated number I see now be the approximate number? Also……………. if I am turning in 67 in February, does that mean that the starting date for social security should be designated as March (one month out)? My thanks for your time…

    • Donna N.

      I was wondering the same thing

  5. David M.

    I am almost complete with research to calculate how many people are scamming SS to receive benefits they dont qualify for (or deserve) …after that I will get to work on a list of names and addresses of these thieves….and their inside connections at SS that allow all the the theft by looking the other way…most of them live in and around Baltimore Md

    • Rose C.

      You will find them in every major dem city

      • Kelly

        Rose, educate yourself. And learn to live without hatred. It’s a cancer. You’ll feel much better when you learn to “love thy neighbor.”

        • L 2.

          True that!

    • Your m.

      Shit the Fuck up

  6. Joy

    Are S.S. recipients getting a separate economic impact/stimulus check?.

  7. Cecile W.

    I took early retirement at 62 + 2 months, am I eligible for a living increase too?

    • Robert (.

      My name is Robert LaFlex. What is the dollar amount on my ssdi? I am getting $1469.00

      • Ann C.

        Hi, Robert. Thanks for visiting 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, 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.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Cecile. Thanks for visiting our blog. The 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023. 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 personal my Social Security account, You can access this information in early December, prior to receiving the mailed notice. Benefit amounts will not be available before December. Since you will receive the COLA notice online or in the mail, you don’t need to contact us to get your new benefit amount. We hope this helps. 

       

  8. Tim s.

    I have been receiving SSI since 2015. I am disabled and 54 years old. Because I have been on SSI so long am I eligible for Medicare?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Tim. Thanks for your question. Medicare eligibility usually begins at age 65. However, there are a few other ways to qualify for Medicare before age 65. You may find our Medicare Benefits page useful. We hope this helps. 

  9. JeanS.

    I am having a problem getting into MySocialSecurity Account. Please help me. I’m getting an indication of DownLoad information, when I press that button the screen goes blank

    • Dell C.

      Try using another device. I was having the same problem trying to get into mine with my iPhone, then I used my iPad to do it and it worked.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Jean. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter 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.

  10. Celso

    Say you’ll reach your full retirement age in 2023—which happens to be age 66 and 4 months—and apply for Social Security in that same year.
    Could I receive any COLAs I missed out on since becoming eligible for benefits at age 62 in 2019. Therefore, could I receive a 1.6% increase from 2019, a 1.3% increase from 2020, a 5.9% increase from 2021, and the 8.7% increase in 2023?
    At my FRA will I get COLAs added to my estimate benefit amount since the year I became eligible for retirement(62)?
    Thanks.

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