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

Comments

  1. Gary B.

    Medicare Medical Insurance which is deducted from my monthly SS benefit.

    Unable to a located statement showing monthly amount before deduction, the amount deducted for Medicare Insurance, etc net received.

    I would like a copy/statement showing this information.

    Should you need any other information please advise.

    Thank you,

  2. Michael F.

    How log does it take to receive ssdi benefits once I apply.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Michael. Thanks for your question. If you are referring to the length of time it takes to receive a decision on your disability claim, it can vary depending on several factors. Primarily, the nature of your disability, how quickly we obtain medical evidence from your doctor or other medical sources, and if your claim is randomly selected for a quality assurance review of the decision. If you have applied for Disability and have a confirmation number from when you applied, you can check the status of your application here. We hope this helps.

  3. maxine t.

    I keep getting calls from a number that says Social Security, San Antonio ,Tx. I think this is a scam, but wanted to check.210-625-1160

  4. Massiah D.

    I did not receive my benefits for June 2019 I’m trying to find out why is this

  5. Jackye M.

    I need my mom Social Security Statement beginning January 2019 for Nursing Home request.
    Johnnie A. Holloway

  6. DavidDewayneRobinson

    send me my back payment at 1355 Hutchinson Ferry Quincy Fl 32352 Name is DavidDewayneRobinson

  7. DavidDewayneRobinson

    David Dewayne Robinson is my address is 1355 Hutchinson Ferry Road Quincy Fl 32352.

  8. DavidDewayneRobinson

    Wind well I get my payment and the mail four $6000.Can you send it to mail address 1355 Hutchinson Ferry Road Quincy FL 32352. Name is David Dewayne Robinson.Number is *** – ** – *** I

    • A.C.

      Hi. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.

  9. Latandra C.

    I need information on social security disability allowance my dad Henderson Session was in the united states armed forces i was told that i could draw from him even if he deceased

    • A.C.

      Hi, Latandra. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  10. Barbara B.

    Why have I received an $87 increase for the last two months?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Barbara. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.