The Social Security Administration  has announced that  there will be a 3.6 % increase in the monthly cheques beginning with January 2012. This increase is called FOR MORE CLICK TITLE...a Cost of Living  Allowance(COLA) and  has  been given on an annual basis  for many years. It is based on a formula which measures  the cost  of living. For the past  two years(2010 and 2011) there  have not been any COLAs for social  security receipients.