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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JC
Why is my mother who is 74 Years and my father who worked after retirement is now 85 still paying on Medicare and Social Security WHEN THEY ARE RETIRED? My god what more you going to do to these people who just want to retire, without this crap.
Joel B.
please call me at 202-365-4140 to discuss the amount of my medicare deduction
R.F.
Hello Joel. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks.
Barbara B.
I have a question, I applied via phone call for my Husbands Benefits…am I getting my Husband Richard A Butner social security benefits as I requested. he died May 15, 2015 ( 4-8-35). Its a little confusing. I opened my work history and expected to see his employment contribution to social security. Am I missing something? Thank you.
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Barbara. Generally, individuals will only have access to their own earnings record. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
Pamela W.
Why can’t I have a My SS account as I live in Australia? This is totally unfair! I think I have a right to be able to do things online as other Americans do. I am still an American citizen and plan to remain one, even when I get Australian citizenship.
Please don’t tell me to contact the Manila SS, they tell me they can’t do anything thereQ
R.F.
We apologize for theinconvenience, Pamela. The “my Social Security” authentication system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for issuing an account.
At this time you must have a U.S. mailing address to create or to access your online account from outside the United States. People with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can create an account overseas, but our system does not support registration and account creation for users with a foreign address yet.
For assistance related to your Social Security benefits, you can contact the nearest Federal Benefi Unit or local U.S. embassy in your area, by phone or email. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.
We hope this information helps!
Larry C.
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Odilia T.
I’m pleased with the way that blog.ssa.gov handles this sort of subject! Usually on point, often contentious, without fail well-written and more often than not quite stimulating.
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Edith C.
Will this 2019 COLA increase go into my pocket and not Medicare?
Donn T.
blog.ssa.gov is good, solid content. I just forwarded this on 6/8/2019 to a classmate who has been involved in some work of her own on this subject. To show his appreciation, he just bought me dinner! So, let me express my gratitude by saying: Thank you for the drink!
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Paul E.
what is going to happen with part B cost stay same or increase?
MARY h.
while Rep, and Dems have raped the surplus social security system and the pennies we seniors are receiving, millions of seniors have had to file bankruptcy and are losing their homes , but no one has in congress or social security advocates has approached this problem . WHY
Glenda S.
Does the 2.8% mean I will get almost a $1,800.00 raise in 2019?
Adalberto B.
I’m gratified with the way that blog.ssa.gov handles this sort of subject matter. Generally on point, sometimes contentious, without fail thoughtful and also stimulating.
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Hermanetta K.
I will be 65 in January2019 will my check change??
Michael H.
i am disabled and my wife also,she has not worked enough hours to get disability on her own due to her her brain stroke,was told i could claim her on mine as a dependent as she turns 50,called in now they say not till she get to 62,which is right.HELP we are not making ends meet,she used to get s.s.i,but when i got my disability they say i make 21.00 to much for any help with food stamps or any other things like health care,they want 295.00 a month for her to get any coverage.Michael