The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 will increase by 2.5%. This 2025 COLA increase brings great news for Veterans receiving benefits, especially those looking to file for the first time or for an increase.
Now, more than ever is the right time to file for benefits, and Veteran Ratings has your back. We stay on top of all things Veteran-related so you don’t have to.
What is COLA and how does it relate to Veterans?
Simply put, the COLA is a measure used to adjust VA disability pay rates and other government benefits to account for inflation. The VA calculates the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earnings and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures changes in the prices of goods and services over time. This determines the COLA for the upcoming year and the value of VA benefits and disability pay.
It is important to note that the finalized 2025 COLA Increase rates will be announced on December 1, 2024.
However, this is what Veterans could expect in 2025:
No Dependents:
| Rating Percentage | Compensation |
| 10% | $175.51 |
| 20% | $346.95 |
Without Children:
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran Alone | $537.42 | $774.16 | $1,102.04 | $1,395.93 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $600.97 | $859.24 | $1,208.64 | $1,524.05 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $652.22 | $926.89 | $1,293.71 | $1,626.55 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $703.47 | $994.54 | $1,378.79 | $1,729.05 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $588.67 | $841.81 | $1,187.11 | $1,498.43 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $639.92 | $909.46 | $1,272.19 | $1,600.93 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $58.43 | $77.90 | $97.38 | $116.85 |
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran Alone | $1,759.19 | $2,044.89 | $2,297.96 | $3,831.30 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,907.81 | $2,215.04 | $2,489.63 | $4,044.91 |
| Veteran with Spouse and One Parent | $2,027.74 | $2,351.36 | $2,643.38 | $4,216.35 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $2,147.66 | $2,487.69 | $2,797.13 | $4,387.79 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,879.11 | $2,181.21 | $2,451.71 | $4,002.74 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $1,999.04 | $2,317.54 | $2,605.46 | $4,174.18 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $137.35 | $156.83 | $176.30 | $195.92 |
With Children:
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran with Child Only | $579.44 | $830.54 | $1,172.76 | $1,481.00 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $648.12 | $921.76 | $1,286.54 | $1,617.33 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $699.37 | $989.41 | $1,371.61 | $1,719.83 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $750.62 | $1,057.06 | $1,456.69 | $1,822.33 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $630.69 | $898.19 | $1,257.84 | $1,583.50 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $681.94 | $965.84 | $1,342.91 | $1,686.00 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $31.78 | $42.03 | $52.28 | $63.55 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $102.50 | $136.33 | $171.18 | $205.00 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $58.43 | $77.90 | $97.38 | $116.85 |
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran with one Child (no spouse and no parents) | $1,858.61 | $2,158.66 | $2,426.08 | $3,974.15 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child (no parents) | $2,017.49 | $2,340.09 | $2,630.06 | $4,201.34 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and One Child | $2,137.41 | $2,476.41 | $2,783.81 | $4,372.78 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $2,257.34 | $2,612.74 | $2,937.56 | $4,544.22 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $1,978.54 | $2,294.99 | $2,579.83 | $4,145.59 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $2,098.46 | $2,431.31 | $2,733.58 | $4,317.03 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $73.80 | $84.05 | $95.33 | $106.14 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $239.85 | $273.68 | $308.53 | $342.85 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $137.35 | $156.83 | $176.30 | $195.92 |
Please note this is an estimate of what you can expect. This page will be updated with the official 2025 COLA Increase numbers once the final announcement is made on December 1st, 2024.
For a comparison of current rates, check out our blog on the 2024 COLA rates.
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