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. Joe F.

    Gas has gone down…….True,however every thing else has gone up !!!!!Seems like seniors on social security always get the short end of the deal !!

  2. Joe

    Gas has gone down……….TRUE !!!!
    However everything else has gone up !!!!
    Is Congress voting themselves a raise this year ????

  3. Gail H.

    Are U kidding . I agree with all of above. I have contacted my senator and congressman, am waiting for reply. I also asked them why they get raises and not us. Also why do they get special health ins, why not the same as us! Do U no they s er even one term and get a retirement U would not believe. FOREVER!

  4. Obama

    But Obama has no problem with bring 100,000 Syrians
    into our country which will cost the American Tax Payers
    Billions of Dollars over 5 years!

  5. Kimberlee m.

    I am not getting by at all…can’t afford co-pays….I get $753. Monthly food? Drs.? Insur? Gas? Utilities?….Life….this is not living.Just lost xtra help on meds…..getting hit with more co-pays…more Drs.
    Someone please put me out of my misery….Seriously depressed….so tired of life…ready to check out…

  6. Patricia B.

    This is very disappointing and sad that our government would say the Cost of Living has not increased in 2015. Lower-income elderly buy very little gas and use their money to purchase the absolute necessities. Eggs, beef and toilet paper sure have gone up as well as medicine and insurance. The cost of living index should be adjusted immediately to reflect only the items that people on Social Security must purchase to survive, not discretionary purchases. Our country is doing a huge disservice to our elderly citizens that worked so hard for their money. Please rethink your position.

    • Jim P.

      Agreed. And I say “Bill the Countries of Origin” for care of illegals on our soil and their offspring. You can bet if the shoe was on the other foot we would get a bill. And if they don’t pay, cut their aid.

  7. jp

    I was talking to “Steve”

  8. jp

    As usual, to implement THEIR (congress/president/etc) increases in pay they usurp from old people. Can’t wait to see what their raises will be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. RALPH

    ATT; PLEASE, I AM SUPPOSE TO BE GETTING AT LEAST, $ 805.00 PER MONTH AND ALL I GET IS $ 632.00, PER MONTH NOW WHY IS THAT.

  10. George T.

    In our area oversight in one jump Gasoline went up 11 Cents just after low inflation low gas prices mentioned !

Comments are closed.