OPM.gov / Retirement / faq / Cost of Living Adjustments

# Learn more about cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)

FAQs and answers about cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for federal annuitants (retirees, their survivors, or their spouses, ex-spouses, and children).

## Questions and answers

###                                             Will my retirement (annuity) benefit increase as the cost of living goes up?                                        

Yes. We make cost-of-living adjustments each year to the amount we pay to annuitants.

###                                             Who is eligible to receive a cost-of-living adjustment?                                        

Most retirees are eligible for COLA starting at the age of 62 under one of these federal retirement programs:
                      - Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
                      - FERS Special
                      - Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)
                      - Organization and Disability Retirement System (ORDS)

Certain retirees, like disability, survivor, and other special provisions, have different COLA entitlement rules.

###                                             What is the amount of the cost-of-living adjustment?                                        

For the year 2024, annuitants who retired under CSRS will receive 3.2 percent increase and those who retired under FERS will receive a 2.2 percent increase. The rate varies each year.

###                                             When is the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) paid?                                        

If a COLA is payable, we make the change in December of each year. You'll receive the adjusted payment in January, the following month.

###                                             Are children and survivors receiving monthly benefits eligible for cost of living increases?                                        

Yes, children, students up to age 22, and survivors are eligible for the cost of living increase.

###                                             I retired in the last year. Will I get a cost of living increase?                                        

Yes, but you'll receive a prorated amount. We'll send you a letter explaining your increase. FERS annuitants under age 62 are not eligible for COLA increases unless certain conditions are met.

Learn more about prorated COLA rates

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## Related information

                  - Get your monthly annuity payment statement
                  - Get your annual summary of payment

##                                         A claim number is required to make a help submission.                                    

                                            If you are an annuitant, you can find your CSA or CSF claim number on your 1099-R, your annual COLA notice or your Benefits Booklet.                                        

                                            If you are unable to locate your CSA or CSF claim number, or you are not a retiree, former spouse of a retiree or a survivor of a retiree, or you are inquiring about the status of a refund application, please contact us on                                        

                                            1-888-767-6738 and one of our representatives will be able to assist you.                                        

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## Contact us for more support

### Report a Death

To report a death of a Retired Federal Employee or Current Federal Employee, please click the link below that applies:
              - Report Death of a Federal Retiree
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Submit your information below and one of our Customer Service Specialists will begin working on your request. All fields are required. We usually respond within 3 to 5 business days.

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### **                                        Call us                                    

Call us if you can't find an answer to your question on OPM.gov or if you can't sign in to OPM Retirement Services Online to manage your annuity account. You may also need to call us for special or complex cases, or because we directed you to.

**Phone:**1-888-767-6738TTY: 711

**Hours:** Monday thru Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ETClosed on federal holidays

Our busiest time is between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ET.

### **Write to us                                    

Please make sure your first and last name, phone number, email address, claim number, and signature are included in any inquiries or documents you mail to us. We usually respond within 1 to 3 weeks after we receive your mail.

**Retirement Operations Center**                                        U.S. Office of Personnel Management                                        Post Office Box 45                                        Boyers, PA 16017                                    

### **Visit us in person                                    

**Retirement Services Support Center**                                        U.S. Office of Personnel Management                                        1900 E. Street, NWRoom 1323                                        Washington, DC 20415Directions**

**Hours:** Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to                                        4:00 p.m. ET                                        Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET                                        Closed on federal holidays                                    

### **Fax us documents                                    

OPM Retirement Services does not have a main fax number.

You should only fax us documents if an official OPM form or one of our Customer Service Specialists asks you to (the fax number will be provided on the form, or the Customer Service Specialist will provide you one.) Otherwise, you should mail us your documents.