Will Social Security recipients get a raise in 2024? The answer is a resounding yes.
Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Americans that qualify to receive benefits. If you are wondering about Social Security COLA 2024, you can expect a much-needed increase in financial assistance. The SSA is increasing benefits by a whopping 3.2%, which represents the largest boost in Social Security and Supplemental Income (SSI) benefits in nearly 40 years.
Will You Receive an Increase in Social Security Benefits in 2024?
The Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures increases in the cost of living. When prices for commodities such as fuel and food rise, the CPI raises the cost of living index to account for the higher prices.
Increasing COLA for 2024 cannot come soon enough for millions of Americans that have struggled financially during the pandemic. The 1.3% increase in the COLA for 2021 paled in comparison to the unexpected jump in consumer prices at 5.4%. Cost of living adjustments made by the CPI relies heavily on gas prices, which for 2021 rose at the fastest rate seen in the United States in more than 10 years.
With inflation expected to continue rising beyond 2024, the Social Security COLA increase for 2024 might fall below what COLA turns out to be in 2025.
Here is a comparison between the average benefits Americans received in 2021 and what Americans should receive in benefits at the 3.2% COLA rate during 2024.
Category of Beneficiary |
2023 Amount ($/month) |
2024 Amount ($/month)After 3.2% Increase |
|
Non-Blind Disabled Workers |
$1,470 |
$1,550 |
|
Blind Disabled Workers |
$2,460 |
$2,590 |
|
SSI Individual |
$914 |
$943 |
|
SSI Couple |
$1,371 |
$1,415 |
|
All Retired Workers |
$1,848 |
$1,907 |
|
Age Couple, Both Receiving Benefits |
$2,939 |
$3,033 |
|
Widowed Mother and Two Children |
$3,540 |
$3,653 |
|
Aged Widow(er) Alone |
$1,718 |
$1,773 |
|
Disabled Worker, Spouse and One or More Children |
$2,636 |
$2,720 |
|
All Disabled Workers |
$1,489 |
$1,537 |
What Does This Mean for Your Benefits?
If you receive Social Security or SSI benefits, you do not need to do anything to get the COLA increase. The SSA will automatically add the COLA increase to your checks starting in January 2024. In December of 2023, the SSA will upload the COLA notices online via the SSA website’s Message Center for every SSI and Social Security account.
If you become eligible for SSI or Social Security benefits in 2024, you simply follow the application process established by the SSA to start receiving financial benefits.
Americans that receive SSI or Social Security benefits in 2024 should remember the COLA increase might not be sufficient to cover the costs of other expenses. This is especially true for rapidly rising healthcare costs.
Get Help Today
If you are currently unable to work due to a disabling condition, you may qualify for disability benefits. It can often be helpful to work with a lawyer when going through the disability benefits application process. To get in touch with a lawyer that takes cases in your area, complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page today!
