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. barbara h.

    my new benefit amount I received in the mail does not show my 2% increase for 2018. still has same amount as last year. why?

    • R.F.

      Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks.

  2. Donald R.

    Have not received my Benefit Amount statement for 2018.

    • R.F.

      Hi Donald! The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are mailed during the month of December, so please continue to look out for it in the mail. If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your my Social Security account. Thanks.

  3. jerry h.

    What is the increase for 2018?

    • R.F.

      Hi Jerry, the monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 2.0 percent in 2018. You can find more details about the new COLA at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. Thanks!

  4. Ray H.

    My spouse is collecting 50% of my social security.
    Will she receive the 2% raise also?

    • R.F.

      All Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 2.0 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2018. You can find more details about the new COLA at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. Thanks!

  5. Rhoda L.

    12/20/17
    I have not yet received the notice of benefits for 2018. When will it be mailed?

    • R.F.

      Thanks for your question, Rhoda. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are mailed during the month of December, so please continue to look out for it in the mail. If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your my Social Security account. Thanks.

  6. Victor B.

    The new benefit amount for 2018 is the same as 2017. I thought there was a 2% increase.

  7. Judith D.

    I just received me new benefit amount for 2018. This amount is exactly the same as it was in 2017. Why does it show no increase?

  8. Thomas W.

    where is my 2018 benefit statement

    • R.F.

      Thanks for your question, Thomas. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are mailed during the month of December.
      If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your my Social Security account.

  9. Jean C.

    I have not received my benefit letter stating how much of an increase I will be getting in 2018. I also did not receive a letter stating how much more I will be getting for my employment in 2016.

    • R.F.

      Hi Jean! The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are mailed during the month of December, so please continue to look out for it in the mail. Also, each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than any of the years that were used to compute your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount. If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record automatically.
      See “What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits” for more information:
      You may also contact us and request a review of your records. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Hope this helps!

      Thanks. MMG

  10. martin w.

    will I receive less than140.00
    a month

Comments are closed.