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. Christine H.

    my Name is Christine Hackett and the amount of my SOC check went down $ 70 ,I’ve been trying everything to get a hold of someone to fix this.

  2. Robert B.

    My and my wiife’s benefits were reduced in 2019. Is there a reason for this?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Robert. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask members in our Blog community to work with their local office with specific questions about their case. You can also call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.

  3. Amie S.

    Hello. My dad needs a SS benefits award letter sent to him for proof of income to stay in his apartment. Can you please email me a copy of it so I can give it to his landlord. or send him a copy? My email is Aspitzley@gmail.com
    My phone # 989-292-9163
    His home address is 306 Brush St.
    Portland Mi. 48875
    His name is Gordon R Titus
    Please call me with any questions. He needs this letter ASAP, so his building management can review his application.
    Thank you ,Amie

    • Stanton F.

      6/9/2019 I’m pleased by the manner in which blog.ssa.gov deals with this type of topic. Generally to the point, often controversial, consistently well-written and more often than not quite stimulating.

      http://www.abcagency.se/75657

    • Floretta O.

      Love this site– very user-friendly and lots to see!

      http://swish.st/81531

  4. Bill

    I became eligible for SS on December 2018 received my first SS retirement payment on January 2019. I have a My Social Security account but did not receive a cola notice there. How can I tell if I actually received the COLA increase? Thanks!

  5. Sheila L.

    I heard on the news this morning that the Democrats is trying to pass a new bill for social security helping to increase the social security checks. Can you tell me more about that? I didn’t quite catch the whole news story.

  6. Chris

    Why does this cost of living adjustment lower food stamp (EBT) benefits isn’t that the whole reason for a cost of living adjustment? (even though we know the cost of living adjustment is a joke) also I’m not currently on either of these systems it just upsets me that this adjustment can be counted against you for the EBT program.

    • Tara A.

      I’m pleased by the manner in which blog.ssa.gov deals with this kind of subject matter. Usually on point, sometimes contentious, without fail thoughtful and more often than not quite stimulating.

      https://lil.ink/55867

  7. Suzanne E.

    My (COLA) benefit for 2019 was calculated wrong. I’ve tried to inform you by phone and online, but I can’t make either work. HELP!

    • K.O.

      Hi Suzanne. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can address in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue working with your local Social Security office with specific questions about your case. You may also call us at: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this is resolved soon.

  8. Suzanne E.

    My (COLA) increase was calculated wrong. I’ve tried to inform you by phone and by online account. I can’t make either work. HELP!

  9. Ruby L.

    I changed banks in Dec.2018 I was supposed to get my SS check in Va. Credit Union, on the 16th. Of Jan. I still haven’t received it. This is the only money I have to depend on for this month, for Meds , Groc. And house hold expenses . Why is it I can’t get my check? I have called SS office twice, they give me the run around. Please I need my money, to live on. Please help me PLEASE RUBY L Parsley.

  10. james c.

    i have not recieved my ssi benfits.i live in fl. u.s.a.they
    shuold have arrived on the 25th of each month. did not recieve a check for january 2019

    • A.C.

      Hi, James. Please contact your bank or financial institution first. They may be able to determine why your direct deposit failed. If you still need to report a late, missing or stolen Social Security payment, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or contact your local Social Security office. You may also find the Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments calendar helpful to determine if your checks are past due. Thanks!

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