Social Security COLA Calculator
Social Security benefits are adjusted annually for inflation through the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which is tied to the CPI-W index. Each year's COLA compounds on the previous year's adjusted benefit. This calculator projects your monthly Social Security benefit after a number of annual COLA increases at an assumed average COLA rate, helping you plan retirement income in both nominal and inflation-adjusted terms. Use the historical average of approximately 2.5% or your own assumption.
Social Security COLA formula
Projected benefit = current benefit * (1 + COLA / 100)^years
Total increase = projected benefit - current benefit
Annual projected = projected benefit * 12
The COLA compounds annually: each year's benefit is the prior year's benefit multiplied by (1 + COLA rate). The actual COLA each year is announced by SSA in October based on CPI-W data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Social Security COLA history and planning
- 2025 COLA: 2.5%. 2024 COLA: 3.2%. 2023 COLA: 8.7% (highest since 1981). 2022 COLA: 5.9%.
- The long-term historical average COLA is approximately 2.5% per year since 1975 when annual COLAs were first introduced.
- COLA increases apply to both retirement benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
- Medicare Part B premiums, which are typically deducted from Social Security payments, also change annually and can offset some of the COLA benefit.
- Your SSA Statement at ssa.gov/myaccount shows your actual projected benefit based on your real earnings history.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Social Security COLA?
The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is an annual increase to Social Security benefits designed to keep pace with inflation. It is based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the prior year to the third quarter of the current year. The SSA announces the COLA each October.
What was the 2025 Social Security COLA?
The 2025 COLA was 2.5%, effective with the December 2024 benefit (payable in January 2025). This followed a 3.2% COLA in 2024 and 8.7% in 2023.
How is the COLA applied to my benefit?
Your benefit is multiplied by (1 + COLA percentage). For example, a $2,000 monthly benefit with a 2.5% COLA becomes $2,050. Each year's adjustment compounds on the prior year's adjusted benefit.
Can the COLA ever be zero or negative?
The COLA is never negative: if the CPI-W falls, the adjustment for that year is 0%. There has been a 0% COLA in 2010, 2011, and 2016. The benefit does not decrease due to deflation.
How do I find my current Social Security benefit estimate?
You can view your personalized Social Security benefit estimate by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Your Social Security Statement shows your projected retirement benefit at different ages based on your actual earnings record.
Official sources
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.