COLA

Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2019

October 11, 2018 • By

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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. Ester O.

    I have not received my 2019 social security benefit statement. Most of the people I know that gets benefit from Social Security have received their new statement of benefit.

    • V.V.

      Hi Ester. Most beneficiaries can check out their COLA notice in the Message Center of their my Social Security account .

      You will also receive this COLA notice by mail in December. The mailings are staggered. 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.

  2. Walter

    When will i receive the 2019 mailing for my new benefits amount? This statement also shows deductions.

  3. Sharon L.

    1. why has my Medicare deduction on my social security increased 9.3% for 2019.
    2. The figure of $135.50 is 17% of my monthly amount.
    3. this figure is 20% of my net monthly SS $684 income.
    4. as a result my 2019 SS income is only a 1.6 % increase instead of the 2.8% I am supossed to get.

    • V.V.

      Hi Sharon. 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.

  4. Walter G.

    When will i receive the 2019 mailing for my new benefits amount? This statement also shows deductions.

    My wife Kathleen A Gogola also is supposed to get her statement.

    • V.V.

      Hi Walter. Most beneficiaries can check out their COLA notice in the Message Center of their my Social Security account .

      You will also receive this COLA notice by mail in December. The mailings are staggered. 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.

  5. Robert S.

    My wife did not receive her 2019 new benefit amount statement. I receive mine but she didn’t get hers could you please remail hers or email it to us thank you. Her nam is Marilyn m shinaberry her soc sec number *** – ** – ***

    • V.V.

      Hi Robert. Most beneficiaries can check out their COLA notice in the Message Center of their my Social Security account . You will also receive this COLA notice by mail in December. The mailings are staggered. 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. FRANK H.

    I have not received my new benefit amount as of today. my wife got hers last week

    • V.V.

      Hi Frank. Most beneficiaries can check out their COLA notice in the Message Center of their my Social Security account. You will also receive this COLA notice by mail in December. The mailings are staggered. 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.

  7. Patricia T.

    will those that get their social security checks on the 26 of December receive their checks early?

  8. Frank M.

    I have not received my SS benefit statement showing the increase.

    • R.F.

      Hello Frank. In 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. Thanks!

  9. William z.

    I did not receive my 2019 “Your New Benefit Amount” statement. Have they been mailed and if they have I need a replacement statement.

    • R.F.

      Hello William, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security, during the month of December 2018. 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!

  10. William t.

    Is there going to be a increase in 2019 if so how much

Comments are closed.