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
Comments
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Angelo J.
Wen check be out
Benjamin P.
Why do some people have their increase letter posted and some do not?
linda s.
When will 4th Wednesday November 2019 checks be posted/mailed
Linda F.
Please MAIL me all future notices by USPS. I do not have access to my online account any more. I need to know the COLA increase amount. Please send this proof of income ASAP
A.C.
Hi, Linda. 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.
Danny L.
I would like to have a copy of my Awards letter for 2020
ss# *** – ** – ***
A.C.
Hi, Danny. 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. We hope this helps.
Larry W.
First, why and when was the “random and disturbing” process for distributing payments within certain days of the week.
There is almost no way to maintain a budget – since there is no pre-notification of what the next day will be.? Nor is there any control of our debtors “timing”. This month – 11/2019 – I had to pay additional “Late Fees” because I received payments “out of cycle” with the debtors predetermined “late date”
All very clumsy, expensive (this month $$$ 220.00) and senseless Why was this “installed” – obviously not for our benefit,
And why is a “medicare premium” now a part of the
monthly payments. Does that replace the “old and on your check” public premium on commercial checks.?
Jillian G.
Please mail my Awards letter for 2019
ASAP.
*****
L.A.
Hi Jillian. Good news! If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view it, print it, and save it using your personal my Social Security account. We hope this helps.
William A.
Need a proof of income award letter for 2019. SS #***
L.A.
Hi William. Good news! If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view it, print it, and save it using your personal my Social Security account. We hope this helps.
howard c.
when will we know about the percentage of our social security for the year of 2020?
L.A.
Hi Howard. 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 personal 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.
Veronica D.
If I start collecting in November of 2019 am I eligible for the increase for 2020?
A.C.
Hi, Veronica. 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 paid out in January 2020. You can find out more information on the new COLA by visiting here. We hope this helps.