USSVI Veterans News Postings - Year 2003 News Posting Date:   22 october 2003 From:   John Dudas Subject:   2004 COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE The Bureau of Labor Statistics released September's inflation data, which finalizes the 2004 cost of living adjustment (COLA) for military retired pay and other federal annuities. The 2004 COLA will be 2.1 percent for military and federal retired pay, VA disability compensation, SBP survivor annuities, Social Security, and other federal programs. The COLA for these programs will be effective December 1st, and will be reflected in checks issues on January 2, 2004.