By Hillary Hatch, Social Security public affairs specialist
More than 71 million Americans will see a 3.2% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2024. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January.
Federal benefit rates increase when the cost-of-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s
Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, leading to a higher cost-of-
living. This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are higher. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) helps to offset these costs.
The Social Security Administration will mail COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. But if you want to know your
new benefit amount sooner, you can securely obtain your Social Security COLA notice online using the Message Center in your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. You can access this information in early December, prior to receiving the mailed notice.
Benefit amounts will not be available before December. Since you will receive the COLA notice online or in the mail, you don’t need to contact Social Security to get your new benefit amount.
If you prefer to access your COLA notice online and not receive the mailed notice, you can log
in to your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to opt out by changing your preferences in the Message Center. You can update your preferences to opt out of the mailed COLA notice, and any other notices that are available online.
Did you know you can also receive a text or email alert when there is a new message waiting for you? That way, you always know when the Social Security Administration has something important for you – like your COLA notice.
If you don’t have an account yet, you must create one by November 14, 2023, to receive the 2024 COLA notice online.
“Social Security and SSI benefits will increase in 2024, and this will help millions of people keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, acting commissioner of Social Security.
January 2024 marks when other changes 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 in 2024 will be higher. The retirement earnings test exempt amount will also change in 2024. Learn more at www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2024.pdf.
Be among the first to know! Sign up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account today at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to
receive courtesy notifications.
You can find more information about the 2024 COLA at www.ssa.gov/cola.
