Reference

Social Security COLA Months

A reference for certifications effective October 1 to December 31, after the COLA is announced but before it is paid in January. It shows the Social Security and SSI pay dates for October, November and December of the selected COLA year, how many months to count at the post-COLA amount for each effective month, why the count works, and a worked example. To calculate a specific applicant’s annual income, use the COLA split in the Benefits Calculator.

Step by step

1. Pick the COLA year

   It defaults to the next COLA paid. The tables update for that year’s October to December calendar.
2. Find the pay date

   Step 1 lists the pay date for each situation: the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday by birth date, or the 3rd for people who began benefits before May 1997 or also get SSI. SSI itself is paid on the 1st. Dates moved for a weekend or holiday are footnoted.
3. Read the month count

   Step 2 gives the months at the post-COLA amount for the effective month: before the pay date, on or after it, or any date for people who also get SSI. SSI payments give 10, 11 or 12 months for October, November or December.
4. Calculate in the Benefits Calculator

   Click Open the Benefits Calculator, add a Social Security or SSI source with the current monthly amount, and check Split the year at the COLA.

What you get

Pay-date and month-count tables for the selected COLA year, an explanation of the count, the annualizing formula, a worked example, and a printable page. There is no data entry.

Tips & notes

• October certifications get 9 or 10 months at the post-COLA amount, November 10 or 11, and December 11 or 12.
• An effective date on the pay date counts as after it, since the benefit has been paid that day.
• Use the amount from the applicant’s COLA notice once it arrives instead of an estimate.
• For quick reference only; confirm against the applicant’s benefit documentation.