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Learn the answers to our most frequently asked questions on Cost of Living Adjustments in 2021. Plus, view how COLA can affect state and municipal employees.
Retiree Employer Groups
State Employees, Teachers, Judges and State Police Retirees
State employees, teachers, judges, and state police retirees who were receiving a COLA prior to the June 30, 2012, will receive a “4-Year” COLA in 2021. The COLA will be paid the month following the member’s retirement date.
State police retirees who retired before June 30, 2012 who were not receiving a COLA prior to June 30, 2012, will receive the “4-Year” COLA the month following the third anniversary of the member’s retirement date.
State employees, teachers and judges retirees who retired between October 1, 2009 and June 30, 2012 who were not receiving a COLA, will receive the “4-Year” COLA the month following the third anniversary of the member’s retirement date or age 65, whichever is later.
State police retirees who retired after June 30, 2012 and before or on June 30, 2015, will receive the “4-Year” COLA the month following the three year anniversary of the member’s retirement date or age 55, whichever is later. The “4-Year” COLA is applied to the first $33,130 of a pension.
State police retirees who retired after June 30, 2015 will receive the “4-Year” COLA the month following the three year anniversary of the member’s retirement date or after reaching Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA), whichever is later. The “4-Year” COLA is applied to the first $27,608.
State employees, teachers and judges retirees who retired after June 30, 2012 become eligible to receive a “4-Year” COLA after reaching Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA) or the three-year anniversary of the member’s retirement date, whichever is later. The “4-Year” COLA is applied to the first $33,130 of a pension if you retired on or before June 30, 2015 and if you retired after June 30, 2015 it is applied to the first $27,608. In both cases it will begin in the month following the 3-year anniversary date of the member’s retirement or SSNRA, whichever is later.
Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) Retirees (General)
Not all MERS employers provide a COLA to all retirees. Eligibility to receive a COLA depends on the type of COLA the member’s employer elected to provide and when that COLA went into effect. Members who already receive an Annual COLA are not eligible to receive a “4-Year” COLA.
Retirees of the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) who retired before June 30, 2012 AND whose Annual COLA is currently suspended are eligible for the “4-Year” COLA. The COLA is applied to the first $33,130 of a pension and will begin in the month following the member’s date of retirement.
Additionally, General MERS retirees who retired before June 30, 2012 and did not receive a COLA prior to June 30, 2012, but were contributing at 7% are also eligible for the “4-Year” COLA. The COLA is applied to the first $33,130 of the member’s pension benefit and will begin in the month following the member’s date of retirement.
General MERS retirees who retired after June 30, 2012 and were contributing at 2% become eligible for the “4-Year” COLA after reaching Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA) or the threeyear anniversary of the member’s retirement date, whichever is later. The COLA is applied to the first $33,130 if you retired on or before June 30, 2015 and if you retired after June 30, 2015 it is applied to the first $27,608. In both cases it will begin in the month following the 3-year anniversary of the date of the member’s retirement or the SSNRA, whichever is later.
