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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.

Your 2020 COLA: 1.6%

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithOct 10, 2019 9:16 AM | Updated: Oct 25, 2019 6:15 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Calculator on a wooden surface with the numbers '2020' displayed on its face lying next to a pen and some cash

Federal retirees can expect a modest COLA in 2020 now that the official inflation data have been released.

No Increase in Latest 2020 COLA Figure

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithSep 16, 2019 11:17 AM | Updated: Sep 26, 2019 11:41 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Shopping cart filled with coins against a solid white background depicting cost of living/inflation/COLAs

Inflation did not rear its ugly head in August. That may not be good news for federal retirees and Social Security beneficiaries.

Calculating the 2020 COLA

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithAug 14, 2019 7:39 AM | Updated: Oct 10, 2019 8:43 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Piggy bank sitting on top of a calculator depicting retirement savings, calculations, COLA

We do not yet know the COLA amount for 2020 but the latest data available is now in.

Tracking the 2020 COLA

FedSmith.com author Brenton SmithBy Brenton SmithAug 13, 2019 12:06 PM | Updated: Dec 12, 2020 6:04 PM Categories Retirement Leave a comment

How is the COLA looking for Social Security recipients in 2020? The latest inflation data provide some insight.

Pay Raise, a COLA and Locality Pay

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithJul 25, 2019 4:22 PM | Updated: Aug 9, 2019 4:09 PM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
$100 bill on a wooden surface partially built out of puzzle pieces with the other pieces scattered around beside it

What are the differences in a COLA, pay raise and locality pay? Who is impacted by each of these?

Unbiased Survivor Annuity vs. Life Insurance

FedSmith.com author Brad BobbBy Brad BobbJun 18, 2019 2:14 PM Categories Pay & Benefits, Retirement Leave a comment
Paper cutouts of a person under an umbrella next to the words 'life insurance'

What are the key differences between survivor annuities and life insurance? The author provides an explanation.

Anticipating the 2020 COLA

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithJun 15, 2019 8:19 AM | Updated: Jun 26, 2019 10:52 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment
Potted plant in the shape of a green question mark surrounded by stacks of gold coins depicting questions/uncertainty about a pay raise or money

What is the likelihood that COLA recipients see an increase in their annuity payments in January?

COLAs, Locality Pay and Raises

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithMay 9, 2019 4:06 PM | Updated: May 20, 2019 10:07 AM Categories Pay & Benefits, Retirement Leave a comment
Man with his back facing the viewer scratching his head while looking puzzled as he stares at a whiteboard covered with question mark and money bag icons depicting confusion or questions about money/salaries

Why did federal employees get a smaller raise than the annual COLA? Here is a quick explanation.

Benefits Cuts from 2020 Budget Mirror Past Proposals

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithMar 16, 2019 5:38 PM | Updated: Oct 15, 2020 11:52 AM Categories Pay & Benefits, Retirement Leave a comment
3D question mark lying on top of a stack of $100 bills depicting money questions, confusion, doubts over pay/benefits

Recent proposed cuts to federal employees’ benefits appear to be the same as ones from past budget proposals. Here is a recap.

Trying Again to Change Social Security’s COLA Formula

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithMar 8, 2019 5:25 AM Categories Retirement Leave a comment

Another attempt is being made in Congress to change the COLA formula for Social Security to pay higher benefits.

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Daily TSP Performance

April 23, 2026

Fund Last % YTD
G Fund $19.8465 +0.01% +1.32%
F Fund $20.9928 -0.14% +0.53%
C Fund $114.1295 -0.41% +4.22%
S Fund $108.6157 -0.61% +8.17%
I Fund $60.8297 -0.73% +9.62%
L Income $30.0660 -0.15% +2.81%
L 2030 $60.5681 -0.31% +4.25%
L 2035 $18.5351 -0.37% +4.84%
L 2040 $71.2706 -0.40% +5.14%
L 2045 $19.7687 -0.43% +5.40%
L 2050 $43.9029 -0.46% +5.66%
L 2055 $22.8442 -0.54% +6.60%
L 2060 $22.8415 -0.54% +6.60%
L 2065 $22.8387 -0.54% +6.60%
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L 2075 $11.8238 -0.54% +6.60%
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