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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Rosemary C.
I did not receive my 2019 benefit amount letter in the mail. Is there any way to find my 2019 amount. Thank yo.
Don S.
After the Big col to ssi how much will be deducted from it.
Will it be like the last one we were to receive a col but after deductions JOKE
V.V.
Hi Don. 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
Edna M.
I have tried to find out the increase in benefits and increase in the deduction for Medicare to no avail. I tried to open account but finally gave up. your site is a disaster. I also have not received my new card yet.
V.V.
Hi Edna, thank you for using our blog. It sounds like you may need to update your address with Social Security.
That may be why you are having difficulties creating a my Social Security account. For assistance with your 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.
Judy K.
My husband received his 2019 Social Benefits information several days ago, but I have not received mine. Please advise
V.V.
Hi Judy. 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.
Sherry F.
I would like to put my money on a card like Net Spend can I do that?
V.V.
Hi Sherry. If you do not want to use Direct Deposit, another option is a Direct Express® card, a debit card you can use to access your benefits. And you don’t need a bank account. For additional details, as well as how to sign up, check out our How to Receive an Electronic Payment web page.
William S.
Why does the cola for 2019 only calculate as 2.60 % increase when the notice said we will receive it will be 2.8% ?
V.V.
Hi William, thank you for the question. All monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 67 million Americans receive an increase of 2.8 percent in 2019.
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.
John M.
Have not received my ssa benefit statement for 2019 as of 12/13…..is there an issue?
Paul S.
when will my 2019 benefit document?
william l.
Wife has her COLA notifcation, I do not?
She got her’s in Nov. It’s now mid-Dec and I’m uninformed.
When will I get some notification – either by email or text or carrier bird — but please not by USPS.
V.V.
Hi William. 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.
Patricia S.
when will I receive notification of 2019 benefits?
V.V.
Hi Patricia. 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.