Skip to content
  • FS
  • Retirement
  • Pay & Benefits
  • HR
  • Agency News
  • Topics
    • TSP News
    • OPM Updates
    • Workforce News
    • Court Cases
    • Leadership
    • Q&A
  • Authors
FedSmith.com

COLA

Stay informed on the latest COLA updates for federal retirees, including annual Cost‑of‑Living Adjustment announcements, calculation methods, and policy changes that affect retirement income under FERS and CSRS. Explore clear explanations of how COLA percentages are determined, historical trends in federal retiree COLAs, and the impact of inflation on long‑term financial security. Find timely analysis, legislative developments, and expert insights to help federal retirees understand how annual COLA changes influence their purchasing power and overall retirement planning.

Comparing the Federal Pay Raise and COLA: A 20-Year Historical Perspective

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithDec 12, 2025 7:35 AM Categories Retirement, Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Bag of money next to a jar of coins

Federal pay raises and COLAs both adjust income annually—see how they compare historically and impact federal employees and retirees.

Complete Guide to FERS Special Provision Retirement

FedSmith.com author David FeiBy David FeiDec 11, 2025 8:13 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Golden egg on top of a spread of cash with a $1 bill covering the top of it

This detailed guide will help federal employees understand the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

Retirement Payments Set to Rise: Breaking Down the 2026 COLA

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithOct 24, 2025 9:44 AM | Updated: Dec 1, 2025 3:08 PM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Shopping cart pictured next to stacks of coins with dollar signs above them

The 2026 COLA has been announced after being delayed by the government shutdown. How much is it and who will receive it?

Delayed CPI Release Postpones 2026 COLA Calculation: Implications for Federal Retirees and the Workforce

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithOct 11, 2025 10:25 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
$100 bill in overlaying a blurry red financial graph in the background

Government shutdown delays CPI data — and the 2026 COLA with it. Federal retirees and Social Security recipients face uncertainty over next year’s benefit increase.

When Do Federal Retirees Start Receiving COLAs? A Complete Guide

FedSmith.com author Dallen HawsBy Dallen HawsOct 8, 2025 8:26 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment

Discover how federal retirees can safeguard their pensions against inflation with COLAs—when they start, how much they are, and why they matter!

From Inflation to Benefits: What the CPI Reveals About the 2026 COLA

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithSep 11, 2025 10:16 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Small wad of $100 bills in a shopping cart against a white background

Federal retirees could see a 2.8% COLA boost in 2026—September’s CPI will decide the final increase in benefits.

Securing Your Federal Retirement: Strategies for Long-Term Financial Stability

FedSmith.com author Dallen HawsBy Dallen HawsSep 5, 2025 9:15 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment

These 5 tips can help federal employees ensure that their retirement savings will last for the long term.

2026 COLA Projections Increasing With Latest Inflation Trends

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithJul 15, 2025 10:03 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Small shopping cart filled with stacks of coins against a green foliage background

The June inflation data are likely to result in a higher 2026 COLA projection than the 2025 increase of 2.5%.

Latest CPI and 2026 COLA Projection for Federal Retirees (and Those Soon to be Retired)

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithJun 11, 2025 9:41 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Close up of a person performing calculations on a calculator and writing notes on a notepad with a small grocery shopping cart on the desk in the foreground

The latest data for the 2026 COLA has been released. Here are the projections for 2026 COLAs for Social Security and the federal retirement annuity.

The Dangers of Inflation with VERA and DRP

FedSmith.com author Charles DzamaBy Charles DzamaJun 2, 2025 8:25 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Shopping cart on the left side of a balance beam that is lower than a piggy bank on the other side

Inflation erodes retirement savings over time. Without growth investments, pensions and savings may lose value, especially before age 62.

Older posts
Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 … Page26 Next →

Free Email Lists

Subscribe to our free email list to get our news updates in your inbox.

Use a personal email if possible (i.e. Gmail); some agencies restrict emails from lists
Choose Lists:

Take Our Poll

Do you support OPM’s updated approach to retroactive pay for furloughed employees?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Daily TSP Performance

February 17, 2026

Fund Last % YTD
G Fund $19.6987 +0.05% +0.57%
F Fund $21.1710 0.00% +1.38%
C Fund $109.6381 +0.12% +0.11%
S Fund $103.9003 +0.03% +3.48%
I Fund $60.7361 -0.17% +9.45%
L Income $29.6802 +0.03% +1.49%
L 2030 $59.5147 +0.02% +2.44%
L 2035 $18.1618 +0.02% +2.73%
L 2040 $69.7638 +0.01% +2.92%
L 2045 $19.3338 +0.01% +3.08%
L 2050 $42.8966 +0.01% +3.24%
L 2055 $22.2288 0.00% +3.73%
L 2060 $22.2264 0.00% +3.73%
L 2065 $22.2239 0.00% +3.73%
L 2070 $13.1719 0.00% +3.73%
L 2075 $11.5057 0.00% +3.73%
Get detailed TSP data at TSPDataCenter.com

News Categories

  • Agency News
  • Court Cases
  • Federal Workforce News
  • Human Resources
  • Leadership
  • Links
  • Pay & Benefits
  • Q&A
  • Retirement

Archives

Popular Tags

AFGE Annuity Backlog Bargaining Budget COLA COVID CSRS Data Breach Donald Trump Election Employee Relations Executive Order FedSmith Polls FEGLI FEHB FERS FLRA FRTIB GAO General Schedule Government Shutdown Hatch Act Hiring Holidays Inflation Insurance IRA IRS Labor Relations Locality Pay Medicare MSPB Official Time OPM Pay Raise Postal Service Proposed Legislation Roth Social Security Taxes Telework Travel TSP Unions VA Vaccinations

FedSmith.com is a certified Ezoic Premium publisher
© 2026 FedSmith Inc. All rights reserved.
  • About
  • Write for Us
  • Resources
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use