I was born in 1954 and my husband was born in 1952. When my husband turned age 66 I took my Social Security at age 64 1/2. My husband then filed a restricted application on my benefits when he turned 66 while he was waiting to age 70 to start his own benefit. His restricted application amount has been $920 ish but has increased due to small COLA increases over the last few years. When he turns 70 he will begin his benefit (guessing about $3200) which will have grown due to delayed retirement credits plus COLA increases.

My FRA was 12-2018. Will my PIA increase with COLA's when determining my wife's spousal benefits at her FRA in 3-2021? Thank you.

Hi,

Yes. All Social Security cost of living increases (COLA) that occur after a person reaches age 62 are automatically credited to their primary insurance amount (PIA), regardless of whether or not they've started drawing their benefits. And, since unreduced spousal benefits are based on 50% of the worker's PIA, any COLA increases credited to you would affect the spousal benefit rate potentially payable to your wife.

My full retirement age was 66 in 2014. I used the file and suspend strategy and took half of my spouses benefit for four years (and received COLAs based on that amount), then in 2018 began taking my own benefit at age 70 . I received the 8% per year in delayed retirement credits, which totaled 32% for waiting, which is what my current benefit is based on.... My question is, should MY benefit at age 70 have included the delayed credits PLUS COLAs (on my account) during the 4 years between age 66 and 70?

Hi,

Do I qualify for the COLA? I receive my deceased husband's benefits now.

Hi,

Yes. Social Security cost of living increases (COLA) apply to all types of benefits issued by the Social Security Administration, including widow's benefits.

Best, Jerry

I understand that I get credit for all of the Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases that occur after I turned age 62. When I view the my Social Security page and see the Estimated Benefits at your current age (66), does the amount include the COLA's for the last 4 years or will they be added later when I claim my benefits?

Hi,

I am currently 61 planning on drawing SSA at 62 in February 2020. Question is, does the yearly COLA get added to the estimated benefits amount calculated by the Benefits estimator calculator. For instance , currently it shows an estimate of 1706 monthly at age 62. Will that estimate be adjusted to include the COLA OF 1.6% prior to me applying for benefits?

Hi,

If you don't turn 62 until after January 1 2020, then you won't be eligible for the upcoming 1.6% cost of living increase (COLA).

Born in 1952, I will wait till age 70 to claim Social Security, thereby increasing my FRA benefit by 8% a year, or 32%, versus claiming at age 66. On top of that 32% increase, will my benefit at age 70 also increase by the cumulative amount of annual cost-of-living increases in the intervening four years? Thank you.

Hi,

Yes. You get credit for all of the Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases that occur after you turn age 62, even if you wait until age 70 to start drawing your benefits.

Best, Jerry

I started my social security benefits in may of 2019 am I entitled to the 2019 raise in January of 2019? I’m 62

Hi,

If you turned 62 on January 1 2019 or sooner, then yes you're entitled to the January 2019 cost of living increase (COLA) and that increase should already be included in your current benefit rate. But, if you didn't reach age 62 until after January 1 2019, the first COLA that you'd be entitled to would be the one that's upcoming in January 2020.

There was an article that stated: "COLAs start pumping up your benefit at age 62, even if you don't claim your benefit until much later". (https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T051-C000-S004-delaying-soc...). Is this true? If so, does my Social Security Statement from ssa.gov include these COLAs in the monthly benefit estimate at FRA, and age 70, and current age? If not, will my benefit be higher than what is estimated?

Hello:

My wife will be taking spousal benefits off of my record since she does not qualify on her own. My questions is, do spousal benefits increase with the annual COLA (if any) as my benefits will? Thank you!!!

Hi,

Yes, Social Security cost of living increases (COLA) apply to spousal benefits the same as all other Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry