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. Huailin D.

    I have not received SSA statement of 2019 as usually Ireceived in December. did the mail lost? What should I do?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Huailin. If you are referring to a benefit verification letter, you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter using a personal my Social Security account online. Thanks!

  2. Tina

    When will SSI deposit come out in February

  3. jerry l.

    why haven’ I seen a raise on my social security benefits

    • V.V.

      Hi Jerry. 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. Patricia B.

    How do I get a copy of the social security benefits letter showing the increase in my benefits.

    • V.V.

      Hi Patricia. Most beneficiaries can check out their COLA notice in the Message Center of their my Social Security account. If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem, you can 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 you can contact your local Social Security office.

  5. Alger B.

    I would like to know if or why Im not getting a cola raise on my social security check. Ive tried several times to contact ss office per phone calls didnt get to speak to anyone either time. After being put on hold for an hour at a time Im ready to give up.

    • V.V.

      Hi Alger. 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.

  6. Stephen S.

    Please send me the calendar for my social security benefits for 2019

  7. Cynthia B.

    I would like to download the 2019 benefits calender.

  8. Ronald B.

    I never received my copy of “Your New Benefit Amount” for 2019

  9. Donald H.

    I would like to get a cop of my new award statement showing my new benefit for 2019.

  10. Randy W.

    I have lost the 2019 Award Letter telling me how much I receive each month
    Would you please send me a copy of my Award Letter 2019 to me Randy Leo Wolfram
    1550 Seconc Street, Unit 7E
    New Orleans, Louisiana
    70130
    *** – ** – *** cell 347-886-7717 home# 504-301-1064

    • Dianne O.

      In my opinion, blog.ssa.gov does a great job of handling subject matter of this type. Even if sometimes deliberately controversial, the posts are more often than not well researched and challenging.

      http://swish.st/28150

Comments are closed.