The 2018 COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustments) increase is 2.0% according to the U.S. government. COLA is based on the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for the third quarter of this year. The 2.0 percent increase in the cost-of-living adjustment is about a $25 monthly benefit increase for the average retiree, or about $300 per year.

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma caused a lot of damage and hardship but may have also contributed to the highest increase since 2012 through higher gas prices and other increased costs due to the storms.

The 2017 COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustments) increase was just 0.3%. COLA impacts benefits to about 61 million social security recipients, 1.96 million military retirees and 4 million disabled veterans and 8 million SSI beneficiaries.

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