The way forward for retirement safety for federal staff is unsure. The present system is unsustainable, and the federal government is going through strain to make modifications. One of many greatest questions is what’s going to occur to the cost-of-living changes (COLAs) for federal retirees. COLAs are designed to assist retirees sustain with inflation, however they’ve been frozen in recent times. If this continues, the worth of federal retirement advantages will erode over time.
The nonpartisan Congressional Price range Workplace (CBO) just lately launched a report that projected the impression of freezing COLAs on federal retirees. The report discovered that retirees who’re 65 years outdated in the present day would lose a median of $10,000 in advantages over the following 20 years. Retirees who’re 55 years outdated in the present day would lose a median of $20,000 in advantages over the following 20 years. These losses can be vital, and they’d make it troublesome for retirees to take care of their way of life.
What Will the COLA Be For Federal Retirees in 2025?
The fee-of-living adjustment (COLA) for federal retirees in 2025 will rely upon the Shopper Value Index for City Wage Earners and Clerical Employees (CPI-W) for the third quarter of 2024. The COLA is calculated by evaluating the typical CPI-W for the third quarter of the present 12 months to the typical CPI-W for the third quarter of the earlier 12 months. If the CPI-W has elevated, the COLA will probably be equal to the share improve. If the CPI-W has decreased, the COLA will probably be 0%.
The CPI-W has been growing steadily in recent times, so it’s doubtless that the COLA for federal retirees in 2025 will probably be constructive. Nonetheless, the precise quantity of the COLA is not going to be identified till the CPI-W information for the third quarter of 2024 is launched.
Folks Additionally Ask
When will the COLA for federal retirees in 2025 be introduced?
The COLA for federal retirees in 2025 will probably be introduced in October 2024.
How is the COLA for federal retirees calculated?
The COLA for federal retirees is calculated by evaluating the typical CPI-W for the third quarter of the present 12 months to the typical CPI-W for the third quarter of the earlier 12 months. If the CPI-W has elevated, the COLA will probably be equal to the share improve. If the CPI-W has decreased, the COLA will probably be 0%.
What’s the most COLA that federal retirees can obtain?
The utmost COLA that federal retirees can obtain is 1.7%.
