Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2019
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
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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Tags: Cost of living adjustment, my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Raisa B.
The note says about the COLA 2.8% increase,but the amount of SS check for 2019 stays the same?Why?
Jerome B.
I haven’t received my statement of benefits for 2019 as of 12/12/2018. When can I expect to get them? My wife already got hers.
Nancy S.
my husband received his new benefit for 2019 and I have not received mine
R.F.
Hello Nancy. In December 2018, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security. You will still receive your COLA notice by mail this year (during the month of December, 2018), but in the future you will be able to choose whether you receive your notice online instead of on paper.
For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola. Thanks!
Digna M.
I didn’t receive my 2019 COLA in the mail as of yet. My husband received his. We usually receive our things together. Can someone help me?
R.F.
Hello Digna. Social Security COLA notices will be mailed to beneficiaries during the month of December, 2018. Also, during the month of December, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security.
For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola. Thanks!
Florence A.
I have not received my benefit increase yet my spouse has. Have all the beneficiaries been mailed out?
R.F.
Social Security COLA notices will be mailed to beneficiaries, during the month of December 2018.
Also, during the month of December 2018, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security. This is a secure, convenient way to receive COLA notices online and save the message for later. You will still receive your COLA notice by mail this year, but in the future you will be able to choose whether you receive your notice online instead of on paper.
For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola. Thanks!
Judith c.
When will I receive my social security benefit statement for 2019 my checks come on the forth wed. of the month. Some friends have already received their mailings. Thank you
R.F.
Hello Judith. During the month of December 2018, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security. You will still receive your COLA notice by mail -during the month of December- this year, but in the future you will be able to choose whether you receive your notice online instead of on paper. For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola.
Nancy J.
I received a letter in mail today saying my benefits are increasing for 2019, but it shows no increase I don’t understand if I am getting an increase or not. Could you please contact me. Thank You
R.F.
Hello Nancy. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums.
The Social Security Act contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects most beneficiaries. The amount of the benefit will stay the same even though the Medicare Part B premium increases. For information about Medicare premiums in 2019, visit http://www.medicare.gov.
Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question in specific at this time. 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!
coy V.
I am holding on the phone & the recording states the hold time is approx 1 hour– can’t ss beat this
R.F.
We apologize for the long wait. We care about our customers and our representatives are working as fast as they can to resolve all inquiries, process new claims, and reduce backlogs.
When calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, you will -generally- experience a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week.
Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Remember, most Social Security services, including applying for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits, requesting a replacement Medicare card, or reporting a change of address or telephone number or creating a my Social Security account are conveniently available anytime at our website.
Thanks!
czparrot@yahoo.com
I rec’d my 2019 notice that thhe COLA increase will be 2.8%. I rec’d no increase from prior year, although Ih h 2.8% increase for 2019 I rec’d notice of no change in my 2019 benefit Zero reductions take out of my monthly amount of $487.00. I would appreciate you looking into this matter. James McKeown Jr. 7310 Ahia Ct., Diamondhead, Ms. 38525, Tel: 228-344-0190 czparrot@yahoo.com Thank You
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. 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.
Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information in this venue. Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. Thanks!
Marjorie A.
Have not recieved my New Benefit Amount Form for 2019