Yes, COLA should be an automatic benefit for pension plans, but due to costs a lot of pension plans have eliminated it for new subscribers starting about 10 years ago.  Even one of the largest pension plans in the World, OTPP, which is 105% funded is still restricting the COLA on anyone who retired since 2010 "Your pension based on pre-2010 credit receives the full inflation adjustment (1.3%).  Your pension based on post-2009 credit receives 90% of the full inflation adjustment (1.17%)."  Many plans have eliminated DB entirely for new hires.