❓ Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 Federal Retiree COLA
Q: What are the 2026 COLA rates for federal retirees?
A: As announced in October, the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) rates for 2026 are:
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CSRS Annuitants: 2.8%
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FERS Annuitants: 2.0%
Q: When will the 2026 COLA increase take effect?
A: The COLA is effective on December 1st of the current year.
Q: When will the COLA adjustment appear in my retirement payment?
A: The COLA adjustment will first appear in your annuity payment on the first business day of January. This payment reflects your December benefit, which is when the COLA officially takes effect.
Q: Do FERS retirees receive the COLA regardless of age?
A: Generally, no. Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and FERS Special Cost-of-Living Adjustments are not provided until age 62.
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Exceptions apply for disability retirement, survivor benefits, and other special provision retirements.
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Note: If you are a FERS retiree with a CSRS component, that component is subject to the CSRS COLA calculation.
Q: How is the COLA percentage determined?
A: The COLA is calculated using a formula based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Specifically, the percentage increase is determined by comparing the average CPI-W from the third quarter of the current year to the average from the third quarter of the last year a COLA was granted. The increase is then rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent.
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