On Monday, August 24, 2009, the Social Security Administration announced a freeze of the annual Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) would go into effect in 2010 and 2011. Seniors and the handicapped receiving Social Security benefits are given an annual cost of living increase. For example, in the year beginning January 2009, Social Security recipients received a 5.8% increase in their monthly checks. Although the COLAs have varied in percentage, recipients have always seen their benefits go up during the past 30 years without fail.
