Retiree COLAs
Retiree Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) are based on the average annual change in CPI (Consumer Price Index) utilizing a 2-year average of the San Francisco CPI and Los Angeles CPI. Any approved COLAs are started with the April 1st monthly retiree benefit each year.
For Tier 1 retirees, the maximum annual COLA is 3% (with carryover). Should the CPI based inflation rate exceed 3% in a given year, any overage will be "banked" and utilized for future years' COLAs when the inflation is less than 3%.
For Tier 2 and Tier 3 retirees, the maximum annual COLA is 2% (with no carryover). Should the CPI based inflation rate exceed 2% in a given year, there is no provision to bank any amount in excess.
FAQs
All eligible retirees (those retired on or before January 1, 2024) will receive a COLA increase starting April 1, 2024, as shown in the following table:
|
Tier: |
Retirement Date: |
COLA: |
|
1 |
On or Before January 1, 2024 |
3.0%
|
|
2 & 3 |
On or Before January 1, 2024 |
2.0%
|
All eligible retirees (those retired on or before January 1, 2023) will receive a COLA increase starting April 1, 2023, as shown in the following table:
|
Tier: |
Retirement Date: |
COLA: |
|
1 |
On or Before January 1, 2023 |
3.0%
|
|
2 & 3 |
On or Before January 1, 2023 |
2.0%
|
|
Tier |
Retirement Date |
COLA |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
On or before January 1, 1981 |
3.0% |
|
1 |
January 2, 1981 - January 1, 2019 |
2.9% |
|
1 |
January 2, 2019 - January 1, 2022 |
2.6% |
|
2 & 3 |
On or before January 1, 2022 |
2.0% |
The 2021 Retiree COLA is as follows:
| TIER | RETIREMENT DATE | COLA |
| 1 | On or before January 1, 2021 | 2.40% |
| 2 & 3 | On or before January 1, 2021 | 2.00% |
| 1 | On or before January 1, 2019 | 3.00% |
| 1 | January 2, 2019 - January 1, 2020 | 2.90% |
The 2020 COLA is as follows:
| Tier | Retirement Date | COLA |
| 1 | On or Before January 1, 2020 | 3.00% |
| 2 & 3 | On or Before January 1, 2020 | 2.00% |
The 2019 COLA is as follows:
| Tier | Retirement Date | COLA |
| 1 | On or Before January 1, 2019 | 3.00% |
| 2 & 3 | On or Before January 1, 2019 | 2.00% |
The 2018 COLA is as follows:
| Tier | Retirement Date | COLA |
| 1 | On or After January 2, 1981 but Before January 2, 2018 | 2.80% |
| 1 | On or Before January 1, 1981 | 3.00% |
| 2 & 3 | On or Before January 1, 2018 | 2.00% |
The 2017 COLA was 2.10% for the majority of retirees.
The 2016 COLA was 1.90% for the majority of retirees.
The 2015 COLA was 1.90% for the majority of retirees.
The 2014 COLA was 2.00% for the majority of retirees.
The 2013 COLA was 2.50% for the majority of retirees.
The 2012 COLA was 2.00% for the majority of retirees.
The 2011 COLA was 0.60% for the majority of retirees.
The 2010 COLA was determined by the table below:
| Retirees who Retired | 2010 COLA Increase | ||
| Before January 1 | and after January 2nd | Effective April 1, 2010 | |
| 2010 | 2009 | 1.60% | |
| 2009 | 2008 | 1.90% | |
| 2008 | 2007 | 2.40% | |
| 2007 | 2001 | 2.90% | |
| 2001 | all prior | 3.00% | |
Reference
| 2024 Retiree COLA |