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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John P.
Family Social Security Services
The way I pick up social security benefits from the first quiz test? That I understand
1. I get one I am not married. So I get social security benefits from my parents steal to these day; for living in Second Class America
2. I steal pay off all my social security benefits all the time so then the quiz says , ” that I get the social security benefits anyways”, . Because they will come looking for me. If I don’t pay because I make more then $2,000.00 in income.
3. I get “Division of Family Children”, but I don’t know why I half to claim it because my children have family trust funds.
It seems like somebody is trying to steal a really big family trust fund?
4.. I got (PDP) also but I don’t know why. Except it is Inheritance?
5. I am not married
Director, and Owner
of
NYSE, Internet Website Gainer, My Own Business? E-Commerce
John Paul C. Stoeltng
Jamon K.
When will the issue about a “chained CPI” be discussed and will that information be on this site?
R.F.
Please visit the United States Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics for information on this topic. Thanks!
gary o.
I replied to your comment, yet it’s been removed. The First Amendment is supposed to prevent Government Censorship. Now I’m being told this comment is not allowed, again. Why and who is removing my comments?
R.F.
Our blog — Social Security Matters — gives readers information about a variety of topics, including our programs, online services, current events, and human-interest stories, usually in greater detail than typically shared on our other social media platforms. Our blog encourages discussion and offers important retirement and disability-related solutions. While we welcome general participation from all of our followers, we ask all participants to please be considerate and polite to others when posting comments. While Social Security aims to create an open discussion related to the content on this blog, and encourages helpful and useful comments, please note that this is a moderated communications platform. Please visit our “Comment Policy” page for more information on this topic.
Also, please be aware that our official agency responses will always include the Social Security Administration (SSA) seal, and that we have an official social media team dedicated to posting messages and responses to customer inquiries or comments that specifically address SSA issues.
Thank you for your support and for using our blog.
Bill E.
This would be more effective if someone from Social Security would respond to relevant questions. Does anyone read these comments?
R.F.
Hello Bill. We -do- have an official social media team dedicated to posting messages and responses to customer inquiries or comments that specifically address SSA issues.
We try to respond to all of your questions and provide general information about our programs.
If you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. But remember, never post personal information on social media.
Also, please be aware that our official agency responses will always include the Social Security Administration (SSA) seal. Thank you for your support and for using our blog!
Darlene M.
The last rise in Social Security I don’t receive a rise in cost of living, well I receive it this time?
R.F.
Hi, Darlene. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 67 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2019. See “Social Security Cost-of-Living adjustment for 2019” for more information. Thanks!
Yolanda R.
Whenever there is a increase of any kind we don’t get it. it goes to Medicare. I don’t get enough to live on and a few dollars always helps. Why does the government send any information on the COLA increases…when there is no intention of sending nothing, I would love to get more veggies n fruits..but I guess i would always be low income. after working so long.
Mary
I agree ! Wonder how much Medicare will go up this year ! Enough to begate what we get from COLA I am sure !
R.F.
Hello Mary. Information about Medicare changes for 2019, when announced, will be available at http://www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, Social Security will not be able to compute their new benefit amount until after the Medicare premium amounts for 2019 are announced. Thanks!
Patrick N.
I am GLAD, us seniors are getting a RAISE, in our social security, for 2019!
Lyle K.
I would like to thank President Trump and the GOP members on Capital Hill for this COLA. Democrats have never done a damn thing except steal from me and the rest of American Legal Citizens. I hope they lose their ass November 6th.
gary o.
Is that a joke?
B. N.
That’s definitely a joke!
Lawrence S.
I completely agree with your opinion on this subject and look forward to additional posts and comments here at blog.ssa.gov. Thanks!
https://honourcall.tumblr.com/post/185520594273/tonsil-stone-links
gary o.
I replied to your comment, yet it’s been removed. The First Amendment is supposed to prevent Government Censorship.
camille v.
never happen lyle
Greg M.
That’s great, except every time I get an increase so does the insurance. Every year I lose money because of that.
BETTY J.
This is a great idea and I for one appreciate it. Any increase is appreciated. Occasionally I can work from home and make a few dollars. They take the SS# out. It is not consistent, there are times I can walk pretty good, not for long. Thank Heavens for any at all. I do not receive any retirement. With company 35 years.