Government shutdown delays Social Security's cost-of-living announcement. Here's what to know.

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Wed Oct 15, 2025, 05:49 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: CBS News

October 14, 2025 / 3:59 PM EDT


The Social Security Administration's annual announcement setting next year's cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will be delayed because of the government shutdown, the agency said. Each year, the Social Security Administration adjusts benefits for its 75 million recipients based on recent inflation data, which ensures that seniors, disabled Americans and other beneficiaries don't lose purchasing power as prices rise.

Social Security had planned to announce the new COLA on Oct. 15, the same day the Labor Department was scheduled to release September Consumer Price Index data, a key measure of inflation. The COLA is determined by inflation figures for the third quarter, which covers July through September.

With much of the government's economic data on hold until Congress approves federal funding, the Bureau of Labor Statistics now plans to release its latest CPI figures on Oct. 24, about nine days later than planned. The Social Security Administration told CBS News it plans to issue its COLA announcement that same day.

"The Bureau of Labor Statistics has announced they will issue the September 2025 Consumer Price Index on October 24," the Social Security Administration said in an Oct. 14 email. "The Social Security Administration will use this release to generate and announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment on October 24 as well." The new COLA will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2026, without any delays due to the ongoing shutdown, the agency added.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-cola-government-shutdown-october-2025/

---

REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143541001
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143543294

[SunSeeker]

1. What if the government is still shut down on October 24?

The article says the government's economic data is on hold until Congress approves federal funding, which caused the Bureau of Labor Statistics delay. What if that funding is still not approved come October 24?

[littlemissmartypants]

2. I believe that the concern is more about the report and not really about funding except...

As it relates to the report. Once the report is complete, then we will know what the Social Security cost of living percentage increase number is. Whether or not the regime is capable or willing to fu^k that up is the question.



❤️

[COL Mustard]

5. One thing I've learned since January

If they can find a way to fuck something up, they will. If they can’t find a way, they’ll invent one.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. It may be the only thing that they excel in.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I added some previous OPs with articles about what was happening

but what they rely on is the September inflation data - in this case, the CPI-W, which was supposed to have been released at the beginning of the month today. Normally once that is released, the final compilation is done across the designated quarters, and that would have allowed release of the final COLA info Oct. 15.

But since most of the BLS staff (but not all) were furloughed, they can't do "more with the less" (the oft-annoyingly repeated government mantra) and thus it takes longer with fewer people, to do the calcs. The data was supposedly in before the lapse so they do have that.

[COL Mustard]

4. They're refining the methodology to compute COLA

Under the old system, if inflation went up, you got more money. Under the new system, no matter what happens, you pay the Government a kickback.

Okay, so it’s not really funny. It’s early and I haven’t had coffee yet!

[ffr]

7. This is going to piss off two of the staunch MAGA's I know who depend on Social Security for living.

Democrats better act and stop playing politics with their retirement. They need to bring the government back to order to resolve this for them or else one or both of them may have to come out of retirement to make ends meet.