Pursue through SSA or legislation an improvement in how COLA is calculated to guarantee it reflects full cost of living changes.
Advance a policy package that makes COLA calculations better reflect the costs seniors actually face, especially health care. Pursue changes through SSA and/or legislation (for example, CPI‑E or a blend that better captures medical costs) while ensuring COLA gains aren’t effectively clawed back through benefit taxation thresholds. Pair accuracy improvements with solvency planning so better COLAs don’t become an excuse for future cuts.
Why this works
- Guarantees “full COLA” means truly full – benefits keep up with seniors’ real expenses.
- Reduces hidden losses.
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Mechanism
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- Define the objective: an accurate COLA methodology plus guardrails so COLA isn’t taxed away.
- Build the case using existing benefit and polling context to explain why accuracy matters.
- Engage SSA and congressional offices on the specific method change and implementation pathway.
- Track bill language, amendments, and political tradeoffs as packages form.
- Publish updates that explain what changed and what it means for benefits going forward.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
COLA accuracy proposal drafted
0–30 daysMethod and taxation-threshold changes are defined in a short policy memo.
- 2
Vehicle and sponsors secured
1–3 monthsA bill or administrative pathway has champions and a committee plan.
- 3
Package negotiation and movement
During sessionAccuracy changes remain intact through amendments and negotiation.
- 4
Implementation and annual updates tracked
Post-changePartners publish clear updates explaining how COLAs are calculated and applied.