Starting early this month, Social Security beneficiaries who have set up an account in “my Social Security” will begin receiving notifications in the app’s “message center” about the 3.2% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) increase. effective from January 2024.
My Social Security is a free tool available on the Social Security website (www.ssa.gov) that allows the user to receive COLA-related notices more quickly.
Additionally, the person can carry out other procedures through the tool such as calculating their benefits and requesting a new Social Security card. It is not a requirement to be collecting Social Security checks to be able to create an account in the service.
However, to receive COLA messages from the beginning of December you must have enabled the account in my Social Security by November 14.
Faster COLA notices through “my Social Security”
“Social Security begins notifying people by mail about their new benefit amounts in early December. “People who have a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy and faster than receiving a letter in the mail,” the Social Security Administration (SSA) reported in a statement last year. January 12, the day the new COLA was announced.
“Individuals can also choose to receive an alert by text message or email when there is a new message waiting for them, such as the COLA notice in my Social Security,” the entry adds.
“Individuals must have a my Social Security account before November 14 to view their COLA notice online. To get started, visit http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount,” the entity clarified.
COLA letters by post also in December
It should be noted that, in the case of mailing letters with information about the adjustment, people will receive it at any time during this month.
“Your friend or family member may receive your notice in the mail before you do. Please wait until January before contacting us about your mailed notice,” the office details in another post on its page.
More than 71 million people will receive a larger Social Security check in 2024
More than 71 million people in the United States, including retirees and recipients of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, will benefit from the 3.2% COLA increase starting in January.
On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 a month next year.
The increase in payments for approximately 7.5 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 29, 2023. That will be the first batch of enlarged checks sent under the adjustment.
After that delivery and that of beneficiaries who began receiving checks before May 1997, the office will proceed with processing the rest.
The SSA is guided by a calendar based on a person’s birthday. Usually, the entity processes payments every Wednesday.
Keep reading:
Social Security: What should you do if you do not receive notice by mail or online about COLA 2024 before January?
January 10, the date on which the majority of Social Security retirees will begin to receive checks with a COLA increase
What determines the amount of your Social Security check other than the annual COLA?