X

Social Security 2024 COLA Increase: You'll Get More Money in January

We'll tell you how much more money you can expect to see in your check as a result of Social Security amounts getting increased next year.

katie-conner
katie-conner
Katie Teague Writer II
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she's not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
Expertise Personal Finance: Social Security and taxes
Katie Teague
2 min read
stack of 100 dollar bills against a blue/yellow grid background
Zooey Liao/CNET

If you receive Social Security, more money is coming your way at the start of 2024. You can expect to see a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment increase in your checks. And if you receive SSI, your first boosted payment should arrive at the end of this year.

Each year, the Social Security Administration determines the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security payments. The COLA is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. 

We'll tell you how much to expect your Social Security checks to increase next year. For more, here's the Social Security payment schedule and the Social Security Disability Insurance payment schedule.

How much will my Social Security payment be with the 2024 COLA increase?

The COLA increase will raise Social Security payments by 3.2%. The Social Security Administration said that would raise the average monthly payments by more than $50. Here are the average new payments for 2024, based on recipient groups.

Social Security COLA increase 2024

CategoryAverage monthly increaseAverage 2024 check amount
Retiree $58$1,885
Worker with disabilities $47$1,530
Senior couple, both receiving benefits $95$3,067
Widow(er) $55$1,759
Widow(er) with two children $113$3,633

When will I see the COLA increase in my Social Security check?

Starting in January 2024, you'll notice the COLA increase on your monthly checks. Checks are disbursed on scheduled Wednesdays each month, so when you get the increase depends on your birth date and when you started receiving Social Security benefits.

  • If your birthday falls between the first and 10th of the month, your payment will be sent out on the second Wednesday of January 2024.
  • If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of the month, your payment will be sent out on the third Wednesday of January 2024.
  • If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, your payment will be sent out on the fourth Wednesday of January 2024.

Payments for Supplemental Security Income recipients generally arrive on the first of each month, unless it's a holiday or weekend. And if you've received Social Security benefits before May 1997, your payment should arrive on Jan. 3, 2024.

For more details, check out this Social Security cheat sheet that tells you how your benefits work. Also, here's how to apply for SSDI and SSI.