FERS COLA calculator
FERS cost-of-living adjustments often differ from the full Social Security COLA when inflation is above 2%.
FERS COLA rules
- FERS COLA is often less than full CPI when COLA exceeds 2%: if CPI is 2% or less, FERS gets the full amount; if CPI is 2%–3%, FERS typically gets 2%; if CPI is above 3%, FERS typically gets CPI minus 1 percentage point.
- Special category FERS retirees (e.g., certain disability or CSRS Offset situations) may follow different COLA rules — verify with OPM.
Estimate a COLA bump
verified 2026-07-30Enter your monthly annuity and a COLA percentage (use the FERS percentage after applying the rules above — not necessarily the full CPI figure).
- Monthly increase
- $44.00
- New monthly amount
- $2,244.00
- New annual
- $26,928.00
Estimate only — actual COLA is announced by SSA (typically mid-October) and applies to Social Security, SSI, and VA rates the following December / January cycle.