2023 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

Updated: December 23, 2022
In this Article

    The 2023 cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase is 8.7%, according to the Social Security Administration. The increase in the cost-of-living adjustment is about a $140 monthly benefit increase for the average retiree – or about $1,680 per year.

    COLA increased by 5.9% in 2022. 

    Third quarter percentage increases of the previous year’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) determine COLA. 

    2023 COLA Increase: For more information read about the 2023 COLA increase watch.

    Here’s where to see how the COLA increase stacks up to this year’s Medicare premiums

    2023 COLA Effective and Payment Dates

    • Retired military veterans, VA rates for compensation and pension for disabled veterans and surviving families will be effective Dec. 1, 2022 and will be reflected on the first check to be paid on Dec. 30, 2022.
    • Social Security benefits will be effective beginning with December 2022 benefits, which are payable in January 2023.
    • Federal SSI payment levels will begin on Dec. 30, 2022.

    COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustments) affect the following individuals or areas: COLA - Cost of Living Adjustments

    How COLA Is Determined

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) determines COLA increases. It is based on the percentage increase of the CPI-W from the third quarter of the previous year versus the current year’s third quarter (July, August and September).

    Veterans who retire during the current calendar year will receive a temporary partial COLA because they already received a military pay raise in January.

    CPI-W Measurements

    CPI-W Measurement
    202120222023
    July267.789292.219TBD
    August273.567291.629TBD
    September274.31291.854TBD
    Third quarter total808.157875.702TBD
    Average (rounded to the nearest 0.001)269.386291.901TBD
    Inflation According to the CPI-W5.9%8.7%TBD

    COLA Increase History Since 1975

    YearCOLA
    20238.70%
    20225.90%
    20211.30%
    20201.60%
    20192.80%
    20182.00%
    20170.30%
    20160.00%
    20151.70%
    20141.50%
    20131.70%
    20123.60%
    20110.00%
    20100.00%
    20095.80%
    20082.30%
    20073.30%
    20064.10%
    20052.70%
    20042.10%
    20031.40%
    20022.60%
    20013.50%
    20002.50%
    19991.30%
    19982.10%
    19972.90%
    19962.60%
    19952.80%
    19942.60%
    19933.00%
    19923.70%
    19915.40%
    19904.70%
    19894.00%
    19884.20%
    19871.30%
    19863.10%
    19853.50%
    19843.50%
    1983N/A
    19827.40%
    198111.20%
    198014.30%
    19799.90%
    19786.50%
    19775.90%
    19766.40%
    19758.00%
    Written by Veteran.com Team