The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026. The increase, which is 0.3% higher than the previous year, is designed to ensure benefits keep pace with inflation.
The COLA is calculated annually by the Department of Labor using the Consumer Price Index, which measures changes in the cost of consumer goods and expenses.
Effective Jan. 1, the 2.8% boost will be reflected in monthly checks for eligible veterans, their families and their dependents. The increase applies to all Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, including disability compensation, clothing allowances, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
“The financial strain from the rising cost of living in recent years has been significant,” said DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Jim Marszalek. “This COLA is a necessary measure to help curb how inflation has eroded the purchasing power of those earned veterans benefits.”
At 2.8%, the 2026 increase is higher than the previous year’s 2.5% but remains well below other recent high-inflation adjustments of 3.2% (2023), 8.7% (2022) and 5.9% (2021). Still, the new rate is above the average increase of approximately 2.6% over the last decade.
Veterans receiving disability compensation will see an increase this year. VA disability payments will go up about $4.91 per month for those with a 10% rating and $107.28 for those rated at 100% who don’t have dependents.
To calculate personalized compensation rates, visit our VA compensation calculator at dav.org/disability-calculator.
Find a DAV location
Contact your nearest DAV office. They will help you file a claim and stick with you all through the process, because no veteran should have to go at it alone.
DAV is an organization of veterans helping veterans.
The reasons are as individual as our members. Some join for the fellowship at our more than 1,200 local chapters. Some for the inspiring national events. Others for opportunities to serve their fellow veterans and their families. And many join to continue the fight to support the rights and benefits of all veterans. DAV understands the needs of veterans because we are veterans—1 million strong. We invite you to join our cause.
The men and women who served in uniform have unique potential to succeed as entrepreneurs who make lasting, positive impacts across communities and industries. But having sacrificed the typical years spent earning business degrees and building networks, veterans pursuing business ownership can be at a disadvantage. Join us for a moderated discussion with veterans and thought leaders about the challenges these mission-driven innovators face, and how you can support them.
This free webinar is co-hosted by the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School and the Harvard Law School Armed Forces Association, and supported by DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a more than century-old national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring our promise is kept to America’s veterans.
Moderator:
David Calone, Harvard Law School alum, Patriot Boot Camp co-founder and Senior Advisor to Jove Equity Partners LLC
Panelists:
-Jasmine Paul, Air Force veteran DAV Patriot Boot Camp alumna and founder of The Wealth Playground, a youth financial literacy company.
-Matt Hyde, Navy veteran and partner and co-founder of Catalyst Law Group LLP, where his practice is focused on representing emerging-growth companies and venture or private equity investors.
-Emily McMahan, Army veteran and co-founder and general partner with AIN Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies at the intersection of deep tech and dual-use technology, as well as in military, veteran-led startups. ...
A new national commander, on-site VA claims processing and bold priorities for the future highlighted a national convention that demonstrated how DAV continues strengthening advocacy, service and support for veterans nationwide. Check out the full recap from #davmagazine below. ...
Click here to RSVP to “Service to Startup: Making Entrepreneurship Accessible for Veterans” ➡ dav.la/4gV7wKr.
Moderator: -David Calone, Harvard Law School alum, Patriot Boot Camp co-founder and Senior Advisor to Jove Equity Partners LLC
Panelists: -Jasmine Paul, Air Force veteran DAV Patriot Boot Camp alumna and founder of The Wealth Playground, a youth financial literacy company.
-Matt Hyde, Navy veteran and partner and co-founder of Catalyst Law Group LLP, where his practice is focused on representing emerging-growth companies and venture or private equity investors.
-Emily McMahan, Army veteran and co-founder and general partner with AIN Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies at the intersection of deep tech and dual-use technology, as well as in military, veteran-led startups.
Service to Startup: Making Entrepreneurship Accessible for VeteransOctober 8, 2026, 12:00pm...
The discussion provided veterans from Wisconsin's Third Congressional District an opportunity to raise concerns directly with officials, ask questions and hear updates on efforts to improve veteran care, benefits and services.
Every day DAV is fighting for veteran-focused legislation on the state-level and nationally in D.C. Learn more about DAV’s legislative efforts and how you can get involved at davcan.org. ...
The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026. The increase, which is 0.3% higher than the previous year, is designed to ensure benefits keep pace with inflation.
