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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Inelda S.
Hi, I am divorced and I have not working to much in my life. How do i know how many credits have been earned for my social security.
Eduardo F.
hi please i need a Award letter from social security that state i total disabled &proved i got a disability pension
A.C.
Hi, Eduardo. 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 specific questions regarding your benefit verification letter, we ask that members in our Facebook 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. We hope this helps.
Michael G.
I’m barely surviving on $771. When are we getting an increase in disability?
L.A.
Hi, Michael. We are sorry to hear about your situation. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. To find out whether you may qualify and if you need to file a separate application call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). You also can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services or welfare office. Additionally, we will not know if there will be a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2020 and if so the amount of the COLA, until the Department of Labor releases information on inflation for the past year. For the latest news and updates on Social Security, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Susan
Where can I find the Leave Payout Exemption Form?
DavidDewayneRobinson
Do I have a patout
Barbara m.
I was told that if you retired early and only received partial of what you would receive at retirement age, that at a certain age you could reapply and receive your full benefits. Is this true?
A.C.
Hi, Barbara. Thanks for your question. It sounds like you referring to withdrawing your claim. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Don P.
need 2019 awards letter
A.C.
Good news, Don! 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 Facebook 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. We hope this helps.
Mike M.
When are monthly benefit payments made?
A.C.
Hi, Mike. Thanks for your question. If you began receiving payments after May 1997, the payment date varies depending on your date of birth. You can find the payment date on the Social Security benefit payment calendar. We hope this helps.
Patsy M.
People who work all their life like I did. Should not have to spend their social security check on insurance. If you work you should have reasonable medicine and healthcare Seems like people that don’t work have the best benefits. It’s not right.
Patricia k.
Do you receive a notice of award when you get an increase in your social security payments because of the cost of living?
A.C.
Hi, Patricia. Generally, cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices are mailed in December. Keep in mind, we will not know if there will be a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2020, and if so the amount of the COLA, until the Department of Labor releases information on inflation for the past year. For the latest news and updates on Social Security, please visit here. We hope this helps.