Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

Social Security's general benefit increases have been based on cost-of-living increases since 1975. Such increases are called Cost-Of-Living Adjustments, or COLAs. A 5.8-percent COLA was determined on October 16, 2008. The next COLA will be announced in October 2009.

Social Security program information

• How the COLA is applied to Social Security retirement benefits
• Effect of the 5.8-percent COLA on average Social Security benefit amounts
• Benefit tables where special eligibilty rules apply

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program information

• Effect of the COLA on SSI payment amounts
• COLA used to determine SSI earned income exclusion for students
• Fee charged to States for Federal administration of State supplementary payments

Other information

• Fee for services performed as a representative payee
• Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)—data used to determine COLAs after 1987