COLA

Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2019

October 11, 2018 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

man and woman on balcony outside smiling Each year we announce the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Usually there is an increase in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount people receive each month, starting the following January. By law, federal benefits increase when the cost of living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).

The CPI-W rises when prices increase for the things the average consumer buys. This means that when prices for goods and services we purchase become more expensive, on average, the COLA increases monthly benefit levels and helps you keep up with the changing cost of living.

As a result, more than 67 million Americans will see a 2.8 percent increase in their Social Security and SSI benefits in 2019.

January 2019 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, as well as the retirement earnings test exempt amount, will change in 2019.

Want to know your new benefit amount as soon as possible? In December 2018, we will post Social Security COLA notices online for retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries who have a personal my Social Security account. You will be able to view and save these COLA notices securely via the Message Center inside my Social Security.

Be the first to know! Sign up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account today and choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications so you won’t miss your electronic COLA notice!

This year, you will still receive your COLA notice by mail. In the future, you will be able to choose whether you receive your notice online instead of on paper. Online notices will not be available to representative payees, individuals with foreign mailing addresses, or those who pay higher Medicare premiums due to their income. We plan to expand the availability of COLA notices to additional online customers in the future.

You can find more information about the 2019 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. Arlene R.

    Please email me at arlene.rink@gmail.com when you know the amount I can expect to receive in 2019. Thank you.

    • V.V.

      Hi Arlene. Your COLA notice will be available online in the Message Center of your my Social Security account in December 2018. Although you will still receive this COLA notice by mail this year, in the future, you will have a choice of online or paper notification.

      For more details, check out our Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information web page.

      • Leigh C.

        In my opinion, blog.ssa.gov does a excellent job of covering topics like this. Even if frequently intentionally contentious, the material posted is generally well-written and thought-provoking.

        http://ttree.co/85054

  2. manuel R.

    what is the amount added with the 2.8 increase to my 676 monthly amount

    • V.V.

      Hi Manuel. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot look up your benefit information. To inquire about your benefit amount, you will need to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  3. robert p.

    when can i get the proof income letter

  4. Maria E.

    Have the 2019 ss benefit award letters been mailed yet?

  5. Robert G.

    When will I receive my Social Security Benefits Summary?

    • V.V.

      Hi Robert, thank you for your question. Your COLA notice will be available online in the Message Center of your my Social Security account in December 2018. Although you will still receive this COLA notice by mail this year, in the future, you will have a choice of online or paper notification.

      For more details, check out our Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information web page.

  6. Nancy L.

    Should I have received my letter regarding the new 2019 rates by now? My neighbor got her letter this week.

    • V.V.

      Hi Nancy. Your COLA notice will be available online in the Message Center of your my Social Security account in December 2018. Although you will still receive this COLA notice by mail this year, in the future, you will have a choice of online or paper notification. The mailings are staggered so everyone doesn’t receive them at the same time.

      For more details, check out our Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information web page.

  7. Barbara J.

    I just got my Social Security statement for 2019, and instead of seeing a 2.8 percent cold, I will be losing $ 82. Why? Nothing else has changed.

    • R.F.

      Hello Barbara. 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. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!

  8. Dominic J.

    I am trying to find out my and my wife’s benefits for 2019. Every time I try to set up an account I get rejected? Don’t know why. Have the new benefit statements been mailed out yet?
    Thank you1

    • R.F.

      Hello Dominic. Beneficiaries will receive their COLA notices by mail later this year, during the month of December, but in the future you will be able to choose whether you receive your notice online instead of on paper. See Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2019, for more information.
      If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!

  9. Calvin T.

    If you’re getting $968.00 a month, then what’s the 2.8% raise amount that’ll be added to recipients getting this every month.

  10. H J.

    I need the letter stating how much social security i will get in 2019 less deductions. H James Stark, 4601 Kanawha Ave se, Charleston, Wv 25304. My wife got hers but I didnt get mine.

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