The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) explicitly stated that data for the fourth quarter of 2025 (October, November, December) derived from the household survey (Current Population Survey – CPS) were not produced because reliable estimates could not be made without the October data.
HOW IT WORKS
The 2027 Social Security COLA is based on the third quarter (July, August, September) average CPI-W index (1982-84=100) in 2026 over the 2025 third quarter average.
PAST SOCIAL SECURITY COLA INCREASES
| Year | COLA |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.8% |
| 2025 | 2.5% |
| 2024 | 3.2% |
| 2023 | 8.7% |
| 2022 | 5.9% |
| 2021 | 1.3% |
| 2020 | 1.6% |
| 2019 | 2.8% |
| 2018 | 2.0% |
| 2017 | 0.3% |
| 2016 | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 1.7% |
| 2014 | 1.5% |
| 2013 | 1.7% |
| 2012 | 3.6% |
| 2011 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 0.0% |
| 2009 | 5.8% |
| 2008 | 2.3% |
| 2007 | 3.3% |
| 2006 | 4.1% |
| 2005 | 2.7% |
| 2004 | 2.1% |
| 2003 | 1.4% |
| 2002 | 2.6% |
| 2001 | 3.5% |
| 2000 | 2.4% |
| 1999 | 1.3% |
| 1998 | 2.1% |
| 1997 | 2.9% |
| 1996 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | 2.8% |
