Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA)

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is an adjustment of wages or benefits designed to offset changes in the cost of living. It is often measured By the Consumer Price Index, reported monthly By the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and usually varies at a percentage at or near the average inflation rate. In the case of pensions, COLA begins when the pension starts. In some pension plans, the monthly pension benefit remains at a fixed amount; with COLA-adjusted pensions, the monthly pension benefit grows each year.

The Department of Labor usually publishes COLA’s for the following year during the month of November, however, there is no set "due-date" for annual COLA’s.

2010 COLA’s