Annual COLA for Unearned Income

Social Security/Medicare

Effective January 1, 2025, the Social Security COLA is 2.5%.

YEAR PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE
2025 2.5
2024 3.2
2023 8.7
2022 5.9
2021 1.3

2020

1.6

2019

2.8

2018

2.0

2017

0.3

2016

0

2015

1.7

2014

1.5

2013

1.7

2012

3.6

2011

0

2010

0

2009

5.8

Railroad Retirement COLA

The Railroad Retirement COLA is variable. There is a two-tier system for benefits. All persons receive Tier I and Tier II increases. The annual Railroad Retirement cost of living increase is received in January.

The 2020 COLA is effective January 1, 2020. See table below.

2020 COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT

TIER 1 TIER II
1.6% .5%

Veteran Affairs (VA) Benefits

The COLA for VA Benefits is decided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index annually.

The 2020 COLA is effective December 1, 2019 and payable in January 1, 2020.

YEAR PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE
2020 1.6%
2019 2.8%
2018 2.0%
2017 0.3%
2016 0%

The COLA applies to the following:

  • Retired Military Veterans
  • VA Pensions, and
  • Disability Compensation Payments

Note: VA education allowance increases are variable.

State Teacher’s Retirement

Increases in STRS Benefits are paid at the following intervals:

  • The annual cost-of-living increase is received in October.
  • Quarterly pension adjustments are received by some persons in January, April, July and October. (Amounts vary.)

PERS

The annual PERS cost-of-living increase is received in May.

Some persons receive quarterly pension adjustments due to the Individual Dividend Disbursement Act, in January, April, July and October. (Amounts vary.)

Civil Service Annuities

The annual Civil Service Annuity cost-of-living increase is received in January.

Related Topics

Proration of First Month Benefits

UIB Weekly Benefit Amount

DIB Weekly Benefit Amount