Laserfiche WebLink
History of Automatic Cost -of -Living Adjustments Page 1 of 1 <br />S► ocial Security <br />The Official Webslta of the U.S. Social Security Administration <br />Cost -Of -Living Adjustment <br />COLA Home <br />Cost -of -Living Adjustments <br />(Fact sheet) <br />Prior Cost -Of -Living Adjustments <br />History of Automatic Cost -Of - <br />Living Adjustments <br />History Of Automatic Cost -Of -Living Adjustments <br />Automatic benefit increases, also known as cost -of -living adjustments <br />or COLAs, have been in effect since 1975. <br />The 1975-82 COLAs were effective with Social Security benefits <br />payabte for June (received by beneficiaries in July) in each of those <br />years. After 1982, COLAs have been effective with benefits payable for <br />December (received by beneficiaries in January)_ <br />COLAs received in 1975-2012 are shown below. <br />Automatic Cost -Of -Living Adjustments <br />July 1975 - 8.0% <br />July 1976 - 6,4% <br />July 1977 - 5.9% <br />July 1978 - 6.5% <br />July 1979 -- 9.9% <br />July 1980 - 14.3% <br />July 1981 - 11.2% <br />July 1982 - 7.4% <br />January 1984 -- 3.5% <br />January 1985 -- 3.5% <br />January 1986--3.1% <br />January 1987 -- 1.3% <br />January 1988 -- 4.2% <br />January 1989 -- 4.0% <br />January 1990 -- 4.7% <br />January 1991 -- 5.4% <br />January 1992 -- 3.7% <br />January 1993 -- 3.0% <br />January 1994 -- 2.6% <br />January 1995 -- 2,8% <br />January 1996 -- 2.6% <br />January 1997 -- 2.9% <br />January 1998 -- 2.1% <br />January 1999 -- 1.3% <br />January 2000 - 2.5%(') <br />January 2001 -- 3.5% <br />January 2002 -- 2.6% <br />January 2003 - 1.4% <br />January 2004 -- 2.1% <br />January 2005 - 2.7% <br />January 2006 -- 4.1 % <br />January 2007 - 3.3% <br />January 2008 -- 2.3% <br />January 2009 -- 5.8% <br />January 2010 -- 0.0% <br />January 2011 -- 0.0% <br />January 2012 -- 3.6% <br />�l. January 2013 -1.7% <br />to The COLA for December 1999 was originalty determined as 2.4 percent <br />based on CPIs published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pursuant to Public <br />Law 106-554, however, this COLA is effectively now 2-5 percent. <br />Lest reviewed or modified 10/16/2012 <br />Related Information <br />COLA, tax, benefit and <br />earning amounts for 2013 <br />The Story of COLAs <br />Actuarial resources <br />Press Release: Social Security <br />Announces 1 7 Percent <br />Increase For 2013 <br />Effect of COLA on Social <br />Security Benefits <br />http://www.ssa.govicola/automatic-cola.htm <br />1/9/2013 <br />