COLA

Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2018

October 13, 2017 • By

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Last Updated: October 13, 2017

man and woman outside smiling When we announce the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), there’s usually an increase in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount people receive each month. 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 prices increase, making your cost of living go up. This means prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive. The COLA helps to offset these costs. As a result, more than 66 million Americans will see a 2.0 percent increase in their Social Security and SSI benefits in 2018.

Other changes that will happen in January 2018 are based on the increase in the national average wage index. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax will increase to $128,700. The earnings limit for workers younger than “full” retirement age will increase to $17,040 and the limit for people turning “full” retirement age in 2018 will increase to $45,360.

You can find more information about the 2018 COLA here.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Jean A.

    Have the statements been sent to individuals receiving Social Security benefits which state how much will be received by the individual in 2018 and how much the Medicare cost will be in 2018?

    • Ray F.

      Hi Jean. Thanks for your question. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are expected to be mailed during the month of December.
      Information about Medicare changes for 2018, when announced, will be available at http://www.medicare.gov. Thanks!

  2. Dave E.

    when will notices go out to social security recipients pertaining to 2% COLA increase for 2018

    • Ray F.

      Hi Dave! The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are expected to be mailed during the month of December. Thanks.

  3. Robert R.

    Hello. How do I locate my 2018 Social Security Admin Award??

    Thank you

    Robt

    • Ray F.

      Hi! Thanks for your question. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are expected to be mailed during the month of December.

  4. Julio B.

    If a U>S> citizen is married to a none american resident who worked in U.S. for a period of time and then leave USA to his original country without having a legal separation ,and the American Citizen get sick and unable to works,will he/she will qualify to receives SS benefits if the married have last more than ten years.?

    • Ray F.

      Hi, Julio. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability.
      We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. SSI is a needs-based program that provides cash assistance to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Also, SSI benefits are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits.
      When it comes to qualifying for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Income or SSDI program, individuals must have worked long enough–and recently enough–under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which you have to earn within the last 10 years before you become disabled. If you have specific questions about your situation, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask one of our representatives to assist you. Thanks.

  5. David S.

    I need a cost of living increase. I am moving and I need more money. Thank you.

  6. Juan C.

    Juan Chavez on November 22, 2017 at 8:40 pm said:

    How much my social Security will increase in 2018?

  7. Juan C.

    How much my social Security will increase in 2018?

    • Ray F.

      Hi, Juan. Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 66 million Americans will increase 2.0 percent in 2018. You can find more details about the new COLA at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. Thanks.

  8. Linda L.

    I would like a local phone number,chesterfield,Va

    • Jenna Y.

      Hello Linda. To find the number to your local office, please visit https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. You may also call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!

  9. John W.

    When will MY SSA benefits in dollars be announced to me?

  10. Jeff

    Yes we get a small raise but doing so we loose the same amounts from food stamps and othe benifit so in the end we gain nothing. .May look good what you say but it’s just words on paper…People work there while lives to retire to loose all. People on SSDI and SSI should get least minimum wage …Do not blame us if we are not able to work do to sicknesses or old age. We freeze in winter do to no heat. Time the government steps up help your people..We send billions over seas we never get it back .Am I the only one that thinks the government cares more for foreign countries then there on peoplem

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