Skip to content
  • FS
  • Retirement
  • Pay
  • HR
  • Agency News
  • More News
    • Court Cases
    • Current Events
    • Leadership
    • Q&A
  • Authors
FedSmith.com

COLA

Articles in this section cover the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for retired federal employees. Our authors illuminate the intricacies of the COLA and its significant impact on the financial well-being of federal retirees. Discover insights into the factors influencing COLA calculations, the historical trends in adjustments, and how these annual changes directly affect the purchasing power of retired federal workers. Stay informed about the latest updates, legislative changes, and expert analyses about the COLA, ensuring retirees are equipped with the knowledge necessary to navigate their finances effectively. Explore our articles to gain a comprehensive understanding of the annual adjustments that play a pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape for retired federal employees.

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 Federal Employee 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 Federal Employee 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.

Inflation, 2026 COLA and the Latest Consumer Price Index

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithMay 13, 2025 10:25 AM Categories Federal Employee Retirement Leave a comment
Shopping cart pictured next to stacks of coins with dollar signs above them

Inflation is at its lowest level since February 2021, just before it started rapidly increasing along with COLA rates for federal retirees.

Inflation Slows and Latest 2026 COLA Projection

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithMar 12, 2025 10:30 AM Categories Federal Employee 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 was lower than projected in February. Federal employees are stressed. TSP prices are down. Here are latest big cuts in a federal agency and projected 2026 COLA.

Legislation Would Boost COLAs for Some Federal Retirees

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithJan 23, 2025 8:05 AM Categories Federal Employee Retirement Leave a comment

Another attempt is being made to give retired federal employees under both FERS and CSRS the same COLAs.

2.5% COLA Currently Projected for 2025 Amid December’s 0.4% Inflation Increase

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithJan 15, 2025 10:05 AM Categories Federal Employee Retirement Leave a comment
Tipped over shopping cart with coins scattered around it with the word 'inflation' written in block letters in the foreground

Inflation is not dead, and the projected 2026 COLA is 2.5%. Here is a comparison of COLA and GS pay raises over 10 years.

COLA Calculations, Inflation and Stock Market Records

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithNov 13, 2024 9:18 AM Categories Federal Employee Retirement, Federal Employee Pay News Leave a comment
Shopping cart on the left side of a balance beam that is lower than a piggy bank on the other side

America had an election and inflation was a factor for voters. The stock market is booming. Here are the latest inflation figures and how the COLA compares to pay raises over time.

What is the Difference Between the COLA and Pay Raise?

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithOct 16, 2024 8:15 AM Categories Federal Employee Pay News, Federal Employee Retirement Leave a comment
Red question mark between two $100 bills against a white background

The annual COLA and pay raise are complex and often a source of confusion. While both impact pay, they have important differences.

2025 COLA Finalized: How Much Is It and Who Will Receive It?

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithOct 10, 2024 9:46 AM Categories Federal Employee 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 2025 COLA has been released. Here is the pay increase federal retirees can expect starting in January 2025.

August Inflation Rate Reduces Likely 2025 COLA—But Still Above Projected Annual Pay Raise

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithSep 11, 2024 9:30 AM Categories Federal Employee 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

The 2nd month of inflation data determining the 2025 COLA has been released. The 2025 COLA will be less than in 2024 but probably still larger than the average 2025 pay raise.

Older posts
Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 … Page25 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

Have VERAs been offered in your agency?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Daily TSP Performance

June 27, 2025

Fund Last % YTD
G Fund $19.1640 +0.01% +2.19%
F Fund $20.1893 -0.22% +3.65%
C Fund $98.1591 +0.53% +5.63%
S Fund $91.5783 +0.19% +1.58%
I Fund $49.6351 +0.62% +18.47%
L Income $27.9152 +0.14% +4.39%
L 2025 $14.3722 +0.14% +4.44%
L 2030 $53.9126 +0.30% +6.87%
L 2035 $16.3151 +0.33% +7.30%
L 2040 $62.2422 +0.36% +7.72%
L 2045 $17.1484 +0.38% +8.07%
L 2050 $37.8296 +0.41% +8.40%
L 2055 $19.2429 +0.51% +9.44%
L 2060 $19.2406 +0.51% +9.44%
L 2065 $19.2382 +0.51% +9.44%
L 2070 $11.4022 +0.51% +9.46%
Get detailed TSP data at TSPDataCenter.com

News Categories

  • Agency News
  • Court Cases
  • Current Events
  • Federal Employee Pay News
  • Federal Employee Retirement
  • Human Resources
  • Leadership
  • Links
  • Q&A

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
© 2025 FedSmith Inc. All rights reserved.
  • About
  • Write for Us
  • Resources
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use