Engelhardt Speaks with CNN About the Increase in Social Security Payments in 2023

November 4, 2022

CNN

Gary V. Engelhardt

Economics Department

Aging Studies Institute

Center for Aging and Policy Studies

Economic Policy

United States

CNN

Gary V. Engelhardt

President Biden has repeatedly noted in recent weeks that Social Security payments will rise substantially in 2023. He has invoked the increase while reciting his accomplishments as president. It’s true that the 2023 increase is the biggest in years, but that’s not because of any positive Biden achievement.

The increase in Social Security payments in 2023 is the biggest in years because the inflation rate has been the biggest in years. Under a law passed in the 1970s, Social Security payments must be increased by the same percentage that a certain measure of consumer prices has increased.

The increase is known as a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.

“The Social Security COLA is mandated by law (and has been for decades) and is tied to the rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index (i.e., inflation). President Biden has control over neither. From a political standpoint, it is a decidedly positive spin on a problem (inflation) plaguing his approval ratings,” says Gary Engelhardt, professor of economics.

Read more in the CNN article, "Fact check: White House deletes misleading tweet about Social Security."