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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.

What June CPI Data Say About the 2021 COLA

FedSmith.com author Brenton SmithBy Brenton SmithJul 27, 2020 11:02 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Notepad with columns of numbers written on it representing a budget next to a stack of cash and a calculator

The latest CPI-W figures suggest a small COLA for federal retirees in 2021, but the author points out that it may be the start of a more positive trend.

Is the Annual COLA Calculation Accurate? GAO Weighs In.

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithJun 19, 2020 6:51 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Grocery/retail store shopping cart with a white cardboard sign in it with three dollar signs ($) on it in black font

GAO recommends the BLS evaluate the data sources used to calculate the annual COLA as they may not be accurate.

No COLA in 2021?

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithMay 18, 2020 11:28 AM | Updated: Jun 1, 2020 3:06 PM Categories Pay & Benefits, Retirement Leave a comment
4 vertical stacks of coins decreasing in size from left to right pictured in front of a surgical face mask with a USA flag in the background

Is there a possibility or probability of no cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2021 for Social Security recipients and federal retirees?

Rewarding High Performers and Chopping Benefits

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithFeb 20, 2020 1:42 PM | Updated: Dec 16, 2020 7:42 AM Categories Human Resources, Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Money flying away

OPM has released its proposed legislative changes impacting pay and benefits for the federal workforce. Here is a summary.

New TSP Annuity COLA Computation Rate Coming in March

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithFeb 14, 2020 10:07 AM | Updated: Mar 7, 2020 10:30 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
A single red 3D percent sign among a series of 3D white dollar signs around it

TSP annuities will have a new formula used to calculate their cost of living adjustments starting this spring.

2021 Budget Proposal Would Eliminate FERS COLA, SRS

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithFeb 10, 2020 1:30 PM | Updated: Feb 25, 2020 10:09 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Scissors cutting two $100 bills in half against a solid white background

A number of reductions to federal employees’ retirement benefits have been proposed in the President’s 2021 Budget.

2020 Pay Raise Unfair to Retirees?

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithDec 23, 2019 2:18 PM | Updated: Jan 4, 2020 5:20 PM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Man's hands on both sides of a seesaw as he works to balance the scale evenly between a ping piggy bank on one side and three stacks of coins growing in size vertically on the other

Which group comes out ahead in determining a COLA or the annual federal pay raise?

Proposal Would Change Calculation Rate of the TSP Annuity COLA

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithDec 17, 2019 9:14 AM | Updated: Feb 14, 2020 2:31 PM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
3D percent sign (%) sitting next to a pink piggy bank on a wooden surface with a close up of a person's hand putting a coin into the piggy bank

The FRTIB has proposed a change to the rate used to calculate annual increases for TSP annuities.

Inflation and its Impact on your Federal Retirement

FedSmith.com author John GrobeBy John GrobeNov 13, 2019 10:24 AM | Updated: Nov 27, 2019 5:00 PM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Stacks of coins growing in size from left to right with a closeup of a man's hand placing shopping cart replicas on top of each stack depicting rising inflation costs

Federal retirees receive COLAs on their annuities to help offset inflation, but are there any similar options with your TSP account?

Federal Retirees Get a 1.6 % COLA for 2020. No One is Applauding

By Anthony BucciOct 30, 2019 1:22 PM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Close up of a man's hands sitting behind a desk studying bills with spread of cash and small stacks of coins in the foreground

The COLA for 2020 has been met with a tepid response. The author explains how it is calculated as well as prospects for seeing higher future COLAs.

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Daily TSP Performance

April 17, 2026

Fund Last % YTD
G Fund $19.8322 +0.01% +1.25%
F Fund $21.0773 +0.38% +0.94%
C Fund $114.4069 +1.20% +4.47%
S Fund $108.9131 +1.96% +8.47%
I Fund $62.1880 +1.24% +12.07%
L Income $30.1358 +0.39% +3.05%
L 2030 $60.8789 +0.76% +4.79%
L 2035 $18.6502 +0.90% +5.49%
L 2040 $71.7563 +0.97% +5.86%
L 2045 $19.9136 +1.04% +6.17%
L 2050 $44.2467 +1.10% +6.49%
L 2055 $23.0558 +1.30% +7.59%
L 2060 $23.0531 +1.30% +7.59%
L 2065 $23.0504 +1.31% +7.59%
L 2070 $13.6616 +1.31% +7.59%
L 2075 $11.9335 +1.31% +7.59%
Get detailed TSP data at TSPDataCenter.com

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