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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Lawrence W.
Too bad I have to VPN and spoof an American IP address to get here and then sad that I cannot create a MyAccount since I do not live in the USA. Thanks for nothing.
Don
They Give COL (Should Be Named Poverty Tease)
And Deduct More
Augustus S.
In my estimation, blog.ssa.gov does a great job of handling issues of this type. Even if frequently deliberately contentious, the information is in the main well researched and stimulating.
http://www.lookweb.it/54377
Dolores A.
I am concerned whether the 2019, 2.8 S.S. increase will be a repeat of the 2018 increase, where the monthly receipt increase was only $2.00, after increase deduction for Medicare. (One of only a minute number of increases in the last 10 years.) I much prefer using the increase for nutrition foods than doctor’s visits.
Jay S.
The SSI Program is vitally necessary, but too unfair effecting very SICK and Elderly Poor Americans – several changes should be made immediately to relieve the unscrupulous burden that the outdated requirements impose on these very vulnerable Citizens!
Joanna C.
I need at least a $ 800.00 a month increase to keep up with cost of living going up. Meat prices are up, gas is up health insurances are up. I live in poverty. Work 60 years for poverty. And they say this is a great nation for who the millionaires. Who else.? It would be nice to eat something besides noodles. But this is a great nation for the immigrants. They get welfare just because they came here. Free cable, electric, housing, food stamps , etc. While I get poverty. This is a great nation for the millionaires.
SHIRLENE L.
I will believe it when I see it. I have not had an increase in SS in at least 4yrs. Maybe because my SS is so low.
Miguel A.
Who qualify for next year rise
Suresh D.
The 2.8% increase is welcome. Any increase is welcome for us old folks. However, it is not a feather in cap for Jim Borland. It is nothing extraordinary. The Cost of Living increase would actually justify an increase of 5%.
However, who am I, to complain. We love America.
Marilyn C.
How much increase will we get this year?
R.F.
Hello Marilyn. A 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2019 was recently announced for the more than 67 million Americans who receive monthly benefits. For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola. Thanks!
Bert
If they are increasing SS does that mean it will run out of money earlier than predicted
R.F.
Hi Bert, you may find the most recent Social Security Board of Trustees report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds of interest. Thanks!