VA Survivor COLA
The yearly cost-of-living raise that keeps VA survivor benefits like DIC and Survivors Pension up with inflation.
The VA Survivor COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) is the yearly raise applied to monthly VA survivor benefits — including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivors Pension, parents' DIC, and the SMC tiers paid to surviving spouses. By law the VA matches the same percentage Social Security uses for its annual COLA, which is calculated from the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The raise takes effect every December 1 and shows up in the January payment. The Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) used for Survivors Pension also goes up by the COLA percentage. Survivors do not need to apply for the increase — it is automatic. Always check the VA's compensation rate tables each January to see the new monthly amounts and update household budgets, especially if a survivor uses Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, which also rise with the COLA.
In real life
- A widow receiving DIC sees her January check rise after the COLA takes effect.
- A survivor on Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance gets a higher MAPR after the annual COLA.
- A parent receiving Parents' DIC sees a small monthly increase tied to the same COLA percentage.
Also known as
Frequently asked questions about VA Survivor COLA
When does the COLA hit?+
It applies to December 1 benefits, paid in January each year.
Do I need to apply?+
No — the increase is automatic on existing VA survivor benefits.
How is the percentage decided?+
It matches the Social Security COLA, set by the CPI-W index in the third quarter of the prior year.
Where do I see the new rates?+
At va.gov compensation rate tables and the VA pension page.
Source: va.gov