2026 COLA’s

SUMMARY OF COLAS EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2026

This year the legislature passed two (2) Cost of Living Adjustment “COLA” bills.  These bills did not have an Emergency Clause on them, which means they did not go into effect immediately.  The bills had effective dates of November 1, 2026. 

House Bill 1146 grants a 3% “COLA” for those who have been retired for more than 10 years as of July 1, 2026.  Those who have been retired for more than 20 years as of July 1, 2026 will receive a 6% “COLA”.  For our purposes, we interpret this to mean you had to be receiving benefits prior to July 1, 2016 or July 1, 2006.

Anyone who received a monthly benefit on June 30, 2016 and continues to receive benefits, will be entitled to a 3% “COLA”.

Anyone who received a monthly benefit on June 30, 2006 and continues to receive benefits, will be entitled to a 6% “COLA”.

 House Bill 1149 was the “Tweener Bill”.  Retirees that were retired on or before May 26, 1983, or had 20 years of credited service on that day receive either one half (1/2) or one-third (1/3) of any raise given by the municipality they retired from.  On July 1, 1990, OPPRS implemented a Deferred Retirement Option Plan that was available to all active members.  Retirees that retired after May 26, 1983 (but do not receive city raises) but before July 1, 1990 are considered the “tweeners”.  The “tweeners” will receive a one-time stipend of $25,000.