COLA

Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2019

October 11, 2018 • By

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Last Updated: November 3, 2023

man and woman on balcony outside smiling 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Martha N.

    HOW DO I GET A COPY OF MY NEW COLA BENEFIT STATEMENT FOR 2019? LOST ORIGINAL MAILED NOTICE.

    • R.F.

      Hello Martha. In December 2018, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security account. You will still receive your COLA notice by mail this year, but in the future you will be able to choose whether you receive your notice online instead of on paper.
      Read more about the Social Security Cost-of-Living adjustment for 2019, here. Thanks!

  2. debbie

    I have a friend who wants to know if we are getting a raise on our ssi benfiets for 2019

    • R.F.

      Hello Debbie. We recently announced a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2019 for the more than 67 million Americans who receive monthly benefits.
      The COLA will take effect with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments paid on December 31, 2018, and Social Security payments paid in January 2019.
      For more details about the new COLA, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola. Thanks!

  3. Joanne M.

    How and when can I change the tax deduction on my social security check

  4. Martha K.

    thanks I was able to find out what I wanted to know.

  5. Edward

    I was awarded Disability in July of 2006. At the hearing I was told that in two years when I turned 62 that I would have to choose whether I wanted Disability or SSI. My attorney said to pick which ever paid the most! Of course!
    I was never contacted by the SSA in order to choose, and they gave me SSI. I feel they did this because it was the lowest, but that’s irrelevant.
    My questions are: Can I request to choose now, or is it too late? Will I have to go through another appeals process in order to do this?
    I abhor government agencies because they transfer you here, to there, and back to where you started from most of the time. You accomplish nothing! I then blow my top and we all hate each other! Hopefully this forum will guide me in the right direction.
    Thank you in advance for your time, and any information you might provide.

    • R.F.

      Hello Edward. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, on the other hand, are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits.
      Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age. Benefits are not interrupted with this transition and the benefit amount will generally remains the same.
      SSDI benefits are establish at the highest rate, based on your earnings and previous years of work.
      We hope this information helps!

  6. Barbara S.

    Will there be an increase for Part B taken from my SS amount?

  7. Jennifer D.

    Called to see if my kids were able to get binifets and thdy said yes do aver the phone interview and give them a copy of birthcrtife how much will I be getting with my two kids I get 750 with ssi diss I

    • R.F.

      Hello Jennifer. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. 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.

      • Chu S.

        blog.ssa.gov does it yet again! Quite a perceptive site and a good article. Nice work!

        http://swish.st/28150

  8. Neal P.

    My 89-year-old mother has been disabled for the past 5 years or so. She has been receiving Social Security since she was eligible.
    My 3 questions:
    1. Is she eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance?
    2. Would SSDI pay more than her Social Security benefits?
    2. Would Social Security Disability help with her now Health Care Facility?

    • R.F.

      Hello Neal. Under current law, a person who has reached his or her full retirement age (Currently 66) and is receiving Social Security retirement, is not eligible for disability benefits.
      Disability benefits are established at a higher rate. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age. Benefits are not interrupted with this transition and the benefit amount will generally remains the same.
      Your mother may be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where she lives. These services include Medicaid, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in her area from the state or local social services office. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) may cover care in a certified skilled nursing facility (SNF).
      Also, you can visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information on assistance programs available in her area.
      We hope this helps!

      • Emily H.

        I’m pleased by the manner in which blog.ssa.gov covers this sort of subject! Usually on point, often controversial, consistently thoughtful and thought-provoking.

        http://swish.st/28150

    • Jaime B.

      blog.ssa.gov does it again! Very thoughtful site and a well-written article. Keep up the good work!

      http://ttree.co/85054

  9. Deborah M.

    Is the COLA amount increase a monthly amount or yearly, divided into the months.

    • V.V.

      Hi Deborah, thanks for using the blog to ask your question. Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 67 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2019.

      The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 62 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2019. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2018. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.)

      Read more about the Social Security Cost-of-Living adjustment for 2019.

  10. Sharon C.

    I LIKE THIS SITE. VERY INFORMING

    • R.F.

      Thanks for your feedback, Sharon!

Comments are closed.