Several readers have asked questions related to a 2017 federal pay raise. The questions are:
- Is the 1.6% pay raise for current federal employees a “done deal” now?
- When will we know about the 2017 locality pay raise in different geographic areas?
- Will federal retirees also receive a 1.6% cost of living adjustment (COLA)?
- Will the pay raise for military personnel be the same as it is for civilians?
2017 Pay Raise for Current Federal Employees
Congress could enact a an amount other than an average 1.6% pay raise . That is unlikely, however, as Congress has not taken any action on a raise this year (or for the last two years).
It is an election year. Elected officials do not want to make visible decisions impacting their re-election chances. Congressmen in districts with many federal employees will be in favor of a larger raise (e.g. 5.3%). Others will not want to support a larger pay raise, especially with unions considered an adjunct of the Democratic party by many Republicans.
Unions are already issuing press releases in favor of a larger raise. AFGE, for example, wrote:
A 1.6 percent pay raise does nothing to make up for years of pay freezes and miniscule increases that have left federal employees worse off today than they were at the start of the decade….AFGE reiterates our call for Congress to pass a 5.3% pay raise in 2017 that will make up for years of neglect and begin to close the widening gap between employees in the federal and private sectors.
This year, readers will probably find out the 2017 locality pay rates on or about…November 30th.
The 2016 report from the President’s Pay Agent was dated October 23rd. Their reports appear on different dates but, as no report has been forthcoming, it is likely to be another month or more before we know if new locality pay areas will be added or others will be modified.
Will Federal Retirees Also Receive A 1.6% COLA In January?
Federal retirees will not receive a 1.6% COLA in 2017. Federal pay and increases in retirement checks are different processes.
In the latest month, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased by 0.22 percent. That index is what is used to determine the amount of any COLA for 2017. The index is now 0.23 percent higher than the average CPI-W for the third quarter of 2014, which is the comparative figure used to calculate the 2017 COLA increase. (See Bleak Outlook for 2017 COLA for a longer explanation.)
For the average Social Security recipient, any increase will probably be about $5.00 per month. The final relevant inflation figures will not be available until mid-October.
For most federal retirees, their increase in health insurance premium costs will probably be greater than any COLA increase.
Will The Pay Raise For Military Personnel Be The Same As For Civilians?
Joe Heck, (R-NV) and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, reiterated his support for providing troops with a “2.1% pay increase as required by law.” He noted this is the fourth year the president has proposed a smaller military pay raise than that mandated by the 1990 Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act.
As with the civilian pay raise, there are interest groups and individuals pushing for a higher pay raise for military personnel.
Anything can happen. While the fiscal year ends September 30th, a divided Congress has yet to agree on a federal budget. Negotiations will be getting intense because of time constraints and a general dislike for continuing resolutions.
But, for both military and civilian employees, don’t waste your time wondering if a bigger raise for 2017 will be coming your way.
