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. Barb K.

    I am trying to find the schule for monthly checks for 2019. Can you send me the info needed online?? Thanks, barbkarpinec@att.net

  2. audrey j.

    i need a copy of ‘new benefit amount’ for 2019

  3. Barbara A.

    Would you kindly send me a copy of my COLA for 2019. Thank you.

  4. Ms.Johnny L.

    Why did my ss disability increase 26.00
    and my foodstamps decrease 171.00 leaving 17.00 for food for a month? Most friends in same situation . Do we Not Deserve the food. BECAUSE when we can’t work like before

    • A.C.

      Hi, Ms. Johnson. We are sorry to hear about your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community contact us for specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213. Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For questions regarding your food stamps, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.

  5. JACKIE G.

    Why did I get $435.00 dollars extra this month?

    • V.V.

      Thank you for contacting us, Jackie. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.

      To inquire about your benefit payments, you will need to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  6. Scott B.

    When does the 8% annual increase take place?
    Is it January 1 each year (annually)? or
    Is it related to our birth date?

    • V.V.

      Hi Scott, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. The Delayed Retirement Credits are not effective until January of the following year the increment months were earned or in the month of attainment of age 70.

  7. len f.

    I have not received my Cost of living increase in my 2/13/19 payment, due as stated after 1/16/19.

    • V.V.

      Thank you for contacting us, Len. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.

      To inquire about your benefit payments, you will need to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  8. ROBERT F.

    I need an award letter for *** – ** – ***

    • V.V.

      Hi Robert, thank you for your question. You can get a benefit verification letter online instantly by using your personal my Social Security account. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. To set up your account, visit the my Social Security web page and select, “Sign In or Create an Account.” You will need to provide some personal information to verify your identity, choose a username and password and follow the rest of the steps to finish creating your account. Once you create your account, scroll down to the Benefits and Payments section and choose “get benefit verification letter” where you can instantly view, print, or save your official letter.

      If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem, 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 you can contact your local Social Security office.

  9. Tom R.

    I need a replacement copy of my New Benefit Amount letter, sometimes referred to as an “awards letter”? Can I get this online?

    • V.V.

      Hi Tom, thank you for using our blog. You can get a benefit verification letter online instantly by using your personal my Social Security account. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. To set up your account, visit the my Social Security web page and select, “Sign In or Create an Account.” You will need to provide some personal information to verify your identity, choose a username and password and follow the rest of the steps to finish creating your account. Once you create your account, scroll down to the Benefits and Payments section and choose “get benefit verification letter” where you can instantly view, print, or save your official letter.

      If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem, 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 you can contact your local Social Security office.

  10. Donna D.

    I would just like to say that I have received several of these calls, first red flag-ACCENT. I tried to call and talk to someone at SSA and OIG, to no avail. If there is something we can do about this or to report it, PLEASE!!!!! let me know. I try to call and all that happens is that I am put in some kind of loop with no applicable solutions or directions. It would be nice once in a while to get in touch with a live person once in awhile just for some reassurance. NOT A HAPPY camper.

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