<Li> Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW) Local 200 (Ontario) </Li> <P> For 2018, the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment ("COLA") is 2.0% (a significant increase over the 0.3% figure used for 2017). The maximum Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") benefit will go from $735 to $750, while the maximum SSI payment for a couple will go from $1,103 to $1,125 . The estimated average monthly benefit for a disabled person will increase from $1,173 to $1,197 . The estimated average monthly benefit for a retired person will increase from $1,377 to $1,404 . The presumptive Substantial Gainful Activity ("SGA") threshold will increase from $1,170 to $1,180 for non-blind individuals, but from $1,950 to $1,970 for blind individuals . The Trial Work Period ("TWP") monthly amount will increase from $840 to $850 . The amount of earnings needed for a worker to obtain a "quarter of coverage" or "credit" will increase from $1,300 to $1,320 . Maximum taxable earnings under the Social Security OASDI program will go from $127,200 to $128,700 . </P> <P> The Economist Intelligence Unit produces a semi-annual (twice yearly) worldwide cost of living survey that compares more than 400 individual prices across 160 products and services . They include food, drink, clothing, household supplies and personal care items, home rents, transport, utility bills, private schools, domestic help and recreational costs . </P> <P> The survey itself is an internet tool designed to calculate cost - of - living allowances and build compensation packages for corporate executives maintaining a western lifestyle . The survey incorporates easy - to - understand comparative cost of living indices between cities . The survey allows city - to - city comparisons, but for the purpose of this report all cities are compared to a base city of New York City, which has an index set at 100 . The survey has been carried out for more than 30 years . </P>

When is it a benefit for workers to have a contract with a cost of living adjustment