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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Theresa j.
I need a copy of my 2019 award letter please. For my bank.
Luis A.
Hi Theresa. Good news! You can get a copy of your award letter by using your personal my Social Security account. We hope this helps.
yvette a.
1}What was my cost of living increase for 2019? Tried to obtain it thru my page but doesn’t show it
2|Is there another increase at this moment? I ask because I have a friend that just received an increase to his retirement benefit.
Thanks
Luis A.
Hi Yvette. In December 2019, Social Security Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLA) notices for 2020 will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security accounts. This new increase will take effect for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on December 31, 2019, and for Social Security payments in January 2020. You can find out more information on the new COLA and 2019’s COLA here. We hope this helps.
janis G.
I received in checking $35 on 10/21/19 and should receive my full payment 10/23 since dob in Jan 22. What is this 35? Please contact me
Luis A.
Hi Janis. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this forum. In your situation, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You may also contact the local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Don
Is there a COLA for 2019?
Luis A.
Hi Don. Good news! There will be a 1.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2020 for all beneficiaries. This new increase will take effect for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on December 31, 2019, and for Social Security payments in January 2020. You can find out more information on the new COLA here.
Shirley H.
Are Seniors going to get a raise in our Social Security benefit checks for the year 2020 and will medicare increase to take it all back?
Luis A.
Hi Shirley. There will be a 1.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2020 for all beneficiaries. This new increase will take effect for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on December 31, 2019, and for Social Security payments in January 2020. You can find out more information on the new COLA here. For the 2020 Medicare changes, please visit http://www.medicare.gov. Hope you find this information helpful.
Joffre c.
How can I see and print my Benefits Awards Letter for 2019 or 2018…
James L.
like to get the 2020 COLA, benefit rates
Luis A.
There will be a 1.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2020 for all beneficiaries. This new increase will take effect for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on December 31, 2019, and for Social Security payments in January 2020. You can find out more information on the new COLA here. For the latest news and updates on Social Security, please check out our Press Office internet page.
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Sharron M.
What is the increase in social security for 2020?
Ann C.
Hi, Sharron. Thanks for your question. 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 check here. We hope this helps.
Robert W.
I am attempting to find the COLA increase amount from 2016 to the current date. If you can provide this data send to email address provided by myself.
To date, I’ve had NO automatic adjustment to the current amount.
Ann C.
Hi, Robert. For more information about the history Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), visit here. Thanks!