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This was a foregone conclusion, but there will be no increase in veterans pension or compensation benefits for 2011. I wrote previously about no increase in Social Security disability or retirement benefits, and because veterans benefits are based on the same government standard, we knew there would be no increase for those benefits.

However, the official announcement did not come from the VA until today. The press release follows:

Update on Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Veterans Compensation and Pension Benefits in 2011

COLA Tied to Social Security and Consumer Price Index

WASHINGTON ? The Social Security Administration has announced that no cost-of-living adjustments will be made to Social Security benefits in 2011 because the consumer price index has not risen since 2008 when the last Social Security increase occurred.

Like recipients of Social Security and other federal benefits, Veterans, their families and survivors will also not see a cost-of-living adjustment in 2011 to their compensation and pension benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Under federal law, the cost-of-living adjustments to VA?s compensation and pension rates are the same percentage as for Social Security benefits.

VA provides compensation and pension benefits to about four million Veterans and beneficiaries. For more information about VA benefits, go to www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.