The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) explicitly stated that data for the fourth quarter of 2025 (October, November, December) derived from the household survey (Current Population Survey – CPS) were not produced because reliable estimates could not be made without the October data.
How the COLA is Calculated
The 2027 FERS retiree COLA is based on the third quarter (July, August, September) average CPI-W index (1982-84=100) in 2026 over the 2025 third quarter average.
However, if the CPI-W quarterly average increases 3% or more, they subtract 1%. A 5% increase in the quarterly CPI-W average results in a 4% adjustment. If the quarterly average increases from 2% to 3%, benefits increase by 2%. A CPI-W quarterly average increase of 2% or less will increase benefits by the change in the CPI-W quarterly average.
Past FERS COLA Adjustments
| Year | COLA |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.0% |
| 2025 | 2.0% |
| 2024 | 2.2% |
| 2023 | 7.7% |
| 2022 | 4.9% |
| 2021 | 1.3% |
| 2020 | 1.6% |
| 2019 | 2.0% |
| 2018 | 2.0% |
| 2017 | 0.3% |
| 2016 | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 1.7% |
| 2014 | 1.5% |
| 2013 | 1.7% |
| 2012 | 2.6% |
| 2011 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 0.0% |
| 2009 | 4.8% |
| 2008 | 2.0% |
| 2007 | 2.3% |
| 2006 | 3.1% |
| 2005 | 2.0% |
| 2004 | 2.0% |
| 2003 | 1.4% |
| 2002 | 2.0% |
| 2001 | 2.5% |
| 2000 | 2.0% |
| 1999 | 1.3% |
| 1998 | 2.0% |
| 1997 | 2.0% |
| 1996 | 2.0% |
| 1995 | 2.0% |
