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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Paul R.
I am asking a question about my retirement , I retired at 62 , I am now turning 67 years old this month. I need to know my benifit will increase as I am 66 years old. I ask at our socialsecurity office, she said don’t get an increase because I am 66 years old, and said it’s frozen what does frozen mean. I am 3 years away from 70 will my benefit ever increase.
james
can’t do a accout because of id theft and we heard on the news i think 2 years back that the Social Security was hacked
A.C.
Hi, James. We are sorry you are having difficulty with your personal my Social Security account. You cannot create a my Social Security account online if you have a security freeze, fraud alert, or both on your credit report. If you do not have time to visit our office, you can ask Experian to remove the freeze or alert. For you can create an account without removing the security freeze or fraud alert, you will have to visit your local field office. The Social Security Administration is committed to protect the public’s information when using our “.gov “ site. All of our online applications use an identity verification process to protect the privacy of your identity and your Social Security information. We can assure you that using our online services is safe and secure. If you need help or need further assistance, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Christopher J.
Why have my payments been reduced?
Paul V.
Good afternoon,I am 64yearsold and I heard that I need to apply for social security 3months before 65yearsold so there will be no penalty. I am going to keep working and use my employer health benefits and at this time I do not want to take any social security benefits.So how do I apply and what box do l need to check?
Thank You,
Paul Vance
Joan M.
I don’t know how to obtain a copy of my elderly father’s benefit letter, needed for assisted living and rest home applications. My dad is 98 years old, deaf and blond. I called, but could not leave a message.
esther l.
i leave in israel/ i need to get a appointment at israel
embassy/ pleas try to help to reach the wright number or the wright email.
there service not very friendly .
thanks
esther .
i need to inform them that my husband dead.he was american citizen as well.
L.A.
Hi Esther. We are sorry to hear about your loss and your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Since you live outside of the U.S., please continue to work with your local Federal Benefits Unit for assistance with Social Security benefits. You can find their contact information here. You can also ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or email. We hope this helps!
Tod H.
If I am to receive $771 a month for SSI from the FED how much will the state of California add to that check please?
Larry M.
Please send a current Awards Letter to my Email address below. I need it to get refinancing on my home mortgage. Many thanks, Larry M. McCabe – 18988 Allegheny Road – Apple Valley, CA. 92307 – SSN: *** – ** – *** – Born 06/25/1935. Many thanks, Larry
A.C.
Hi, Larry. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter by setting up a personal my Social Security account online. For questions regarding your benefit verification letter, we ask that members in our Blog community contact our offices. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call after later in the day. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Deborah B.
My social security monthly automatic deposit was short about $400.00 this month June 2019.This shortage makes me unable to pay my rent.
Please email me or call me at 401-585-4223 as soon as possible!
Sincerely~Deborah Bodnar LeLevier
A.C.
Hi, Deborah. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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 is resolved soon.
Katherine R.
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A 2.8 percent does not keep up with inflation. I hope there is another way to give seniors a good raise. My raise will amount to 40.00 a month which doesn’t buy a tank of gas. Lets give some of our money back that we worked so hard to give to the government. I worked 42 years and when my husband died, I lost all of my which is not fair since my late husband was more than mine. They should change rooms because of women working and loosing husbands and we give ours to the government. It would help if we could get a percent of ours as well as our deceased spouse. Couples draw two checks and widows can only get one. What is wrong with this picture.