COLA, SSI

No Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2016

October 15, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: March 17, 2021

pink piggy bank Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is an increase in the benefit amount people receive each month. By law, the monthly Social Security and SSI federal benefit rate increases when there is a rise in the cost of living. The government measures changes in the cost of living through the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The CPI has not risen since the last cost-of-living adjustment in 2015. As a result, your SSI benefit rate and, for most people, your Social Security benefit amount will stay the same in 2016.

This news isn’t necessarily bad. When inflation stays at the same rate, your cost of living also stays the same. Prices for goods and services, on average, haven’t increased enough to affect the COLA.

Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index also won’t begin in January 2016. Since there is no COLA, the statute also prohibits a change in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, as well as the retirement earnings test exempt amounts. These amounts will remain unchanged in 2016. The new fact sheet provides more information on 2016 Social Security and SSI changes.

For additional information about the 2016 COLA, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.

For additional information about changes in the national average wage index, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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Comments

  1. truth m.

    but I see the light and it aint right

  2. truth m.

    oh, and im white…

  3. truth m.

    why are yall mad, youre own white leaders did this to you, no way the current president couldve passed laws fast enough ( and not even counting obstructionism ) – its everybody since ww2 that did this to u, not 11 million illegals, blame who really did it – too funny

  4. Marcelle

    It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. JOE G.

    I cant blame foreigners for taking advantage of our programs .Wake up polititions .Look at great Britain where Birmingham.england is 75% foreign muslims and will soon be in control of parliament..GOD HELP GREAT BRITAIN & GOD BLESS AMERICA . AMEN

  6. mike

    Funny how there will be no COLA for 2016 but our great Democrat Party in charge will come thru the backdoor and raise Medicare so to keep more money for themselfs and screw the seniors once again.

    • sparkle

      Mike, if a war break out just watch the COLA!! we will have no problem getting it , than…… at the cost of die VET’s sad to say but it’s very true.

  7. Laura T.

    I am appalled by the fact that this government truly believes that there has been no rise in our cost of living. Gas prices, food prices, heating costs, all of the the necessities of life, have all risen. yet our COLA has been denied. I believe there needs to be an adjustment in the way the Social Security Administration decides whether or not to allow us to receive a COLA. The current method is unfair and unreal.

    • Cheryl M.

      I agree with you Laura. We need some changes within our SS and our government should NOT be allowed to tell us what we should do with our money. After all, when our government interferes with our needs they always screw-up and we have to pay the price.

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  9. Fred J.

    FUCKING SCUMBAG POLITICIANS VOTE THEMSELVES AN UNEARNED RAISE AND TO HELL WITH THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED IT TO SURVIVE . EVERYONE KNOWS THE FORMULA ,USED TO CALCULATE COST OF LIVING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY COLA , IS A FUCKING SCAM , WELL DESIGNED TO DEFRAUD THE PUBLIC . BUT, THE THING THAT REALLY PISSES ME OFF IS THEY KEEP FUCKING US AND THE PEOPLE DO NOTHING , SAY , NOTHING …… WE SHOULD BE IN WASHING , ARMED , AND DEMANDING JUSTICE …….. ASSHOLES ……

  10. Arnold

    Everything is up except GAS so where do the extra money come from. Even my rent went up $75. I will be paying 800 more this year than last year just in rent so I have to cut something. Is this FAIR.

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