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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Danny S.
In 2019, how much can a blind person make a month and retain there benefits
Carol H.
It’s about time. I wish the Washington crowd at the White House had to live on what my husband and I live on.
I have hoped every year we would get a raise on our social security.
Maybe I can buy me a coat for winter.
Thank you,
Carol Haller
challer@columbus.rr.com
Mildred M.
We will never see the increase in the COLA because living of a fix income like SS you have to depend on the SNAP program, or low income housing assistance, and they cut your benefits and raise your housing cost so that you still can’t keep up with the cost of living.
gregory b.
A nice warm cup of helmlock is a lot better than starving to death from no enough money to even live 100% below poverty level. America home of the brave land of the inslaved.
Castelia m.
I just got on medicare and my bill is for $670.00, Why is that. I do not have the money to pay. Do I need to take my SSI out to cover this cost?
A.C.
Thanks for your question, Castelia. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to work with their local office on specific questions about their case. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Wait times are generally shorter later in the day. We hope this helps. We hope this helps.
William J.
what will be the increase cost for medicare in 2019,when we get our 2.8% increase. Thank you, Bill
Gilbert B.
Appreciate the website– extremely easy to navigate and much to consider!
http://swish.st/28150
Carol
Thank you for you user-friendly, thoughtful and informative website for social security recipients!
A.C.
Thank you, Carol! Your thoughts are important to us and we’re pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.
Kevin G.
I more or less share your take on this topic and look forward to additional posts and comments here at blog.ssa.gov. Thanks!
http://www.abcagency.se/75657
Andy C.
I’m gratified by the manner in which blog.ssa.gov covers this sort of subject. Generally to the point, often contentious, consistently well-researched and more often than not quite challenging.
http://www.lookweb.it/54377
Dillard R.
I just hope it shows up on our checks next year instead of all going for premium costs….
Thomas H.
How can I attain a document that shows the amount of my benefits for 2019?
Patricia A.
We get a raise in Jan. But it goes to Medicare. So no raise in social security check.
Lise J.
6/11/2019 blog.ssa.gov does it again! Quite a interesting site and a thought-provoking post. Thanks!
http://www.lookweb.it/54377
Anna
How much of the increase will go toward Medicare insurance ? 2018 January was COLA increase most of it went to the medical coverage , except $ 2 for my SS disability income. If most of the Medicare insurance company get another $ 34 more dollars again ?? If so that will get $ 160 a month out of SS check.
Araceli Z.
6/8/2019 I’m gratified by the manner in which blog.ssa.gov deals with this kind of subject. Usually to the point, sometimes controversial, without fail well-written and also thought-provoking.
http://swish.st/28150