The amount of the actual cut will depend on a person's grade, time in service and number of command-sponsored family members. COLA is computed as an index, and the index for full-support areas, such as Ramstein and Heidelberg, has been cut from 132 to 128. The COLA index for partial-support areas, including Geilenkirchen, has been reduced from 136 to 130. The Defense Department pays COLA to help maintain service members' purchasing power in high-cost areas. Stateside COLA began in some locations in July 1995.
More information is available from local finance offices.