Every cost-of-living adjustment since 2014, and what your benefit could grow to
| Year | COLA | VA 100% rate | VA 50% rate |
|---|
COLA is tied to the Consumer Price Index and applies automatically to VA compensation each December 1, first appearing in the January payment. 2016 was a 0% year — rates did not change.
Defaults to the 2027 100% rate for a veteran with no dependents.
3.6% is the actual 2027 COLA. The 2014–2027 average is —%.
Projections are planning estimates only. They assume a constant COLA every year and an unchanged rating and dependent status. Actual COLAs are set annually from the Consumer Price Index and have ranged from 0% to 8.7% over the last decade.