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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: Cost of living adjustment, my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Joseph D.
My rent for my small efficiency apartment was increased in August 2019 from $725,00/month to $750.00. Just wanted to keep you informed about the cost of living increase reality. Have a nice day.
Luduvina C.
don’t want Medicare B , my husband is not retrieving until he s 67. please do not decrease my check, cost of living is to high. thank you
FRANCISCO G.
I need a Award Letter. Is it the same as a Benefit Letter?
L.A.
Hi Francisco. Good news! If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter using your personal my Social Security account. We hope this helps.
Walter N.
I need to get a award letter for my aunt Mell how do I go about doing that her SSN is *** – ** – *** and her DOB is 2-28-1923
K.O.
Hello Walter. Your Aunt Mell can get a benefit verification letter online instantly by using her 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. She can set up her account by visiting the my Social Security web page and select, “Sign In or Create an Account.” She will need to provide some personal information to verify her identity, choose a username and password and follow the rest of the steps to finish creating her account. Once she creates her account, she can scroll down to the Benefits and Payments section and choose “get benefit verification letter” where she can instantly view, print, or save her official letter. If she’s unable to create an account or encounters a problem, she can 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, she can say “helpdesk” or she can also contact her local Social Security office.
Thomas f.
Happy Labor Day
James G.
How long, what age, does one have to pay into social security? I’m 84 and odd jobs pay about $14,000 a year. Does an employer still have to deduct social security payment from me and submit to social security etc?
A.C.
Hi, James. Thanks for your question. Yes, The Federal Insurance and Self-Employment Contribution Acts (FICA and SECA) require the withholding of taxes from wages of all employed people, as contributions to the Social Security and Medicare programs. To learn more about FICA and SECA, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Samuel L.
How do I replace my lost SS card?
L.A.
Hi Samuel. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing her Social Security number is what is important. However, if you must get a replacement card, learn more on how to get one here. We hope this helps.
Deborah P.
I have a friend who needs to fill out the form to keep her Part B Medicare ,she cant find the form can you send one to my e-mail address dpinthus@yahoo.com
DavidDewayneRobinson
Can you send some mail address is 411 Martin Luther King Blvd Gretna Florida 32332
Leeta M.
where are my last two S.S. checks?