Federal benefit rates increase when the cost-of-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The CPI-W measures the cost of goods and services – in other words, a person's cost of living. If inflation increases, the CPI-W also goes up signaling that it costs more to pay bills overall. An increase in benefits – often referred to as a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) – is intended to helps to offset these costs.

The Social Security Administration will mail COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. But, if looking for benefit amounts earlier, applicants/residents can check online using the Message Center here at my Social Security account – as soon as early December.