• State Employees or Teachers who retired on or before 6/30/2012 are eligible for 2026 COLA*
  • These retirees will receive 3.34% COLA on the first $31,507 of their benefit.
• State Employees or Teachers who retired on or after 7/1/2012 are eligible for COLA 3 years after retirement or upon reaching Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA), whichever is later.
  • Those with retirement dates between 7/1/2012 and 6/30/2015 will receive 0.84% COLA on the first $37,808 of their benefit.
  • Those with retirement dates on or after 7/1/2015 will receive 0.84% COLA on the first $31,507 of their benefit.
• Most eligible members receive their COLA the month following their 3-year retirement anniversary. However, for members who reach their COLA eligibility based on their Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA) - when this date is later than the 3-year anniversary - their COLA month will be the month following their SSNRA date.
• Note that for members with retirement dates in December who reach COLA eligibility on their 3-year retirement anniversary, COLA adjustments are paid the following January (2027).
• Teachers with retirement dates of July 1st who reach COLA eligibility on their 3-year retirement anniversary, COLA adjustments are paid in July.

_{*with the exception of retirees who were not receiving COLA by 6/30/2012 and who have not yet reached age 65.}

• Municipal Employees (General employees and Police & Fire employees) in plans offering COLA who retired on or before 6/30/2012 are eligible for 2026 COLA*
  • These retirees will receive 3.34% COLA on the first $31,507 of their benefit.
• General Municipal Employees in plans offering COLA who retired on or after 7/1/2012 are eligible for COLA 3 years after retirement or reaching Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA), whichever is later.
  • Those in plans 75% or more funded as of 6/30/2025 (see list of 95 MERS units) will receive 3.34% COLA on the first $31,507 of their benefit.
  • Those in plans less than 75% funded as of 6/30/2025 with retirement dates between 7/1/2012 and 6/30/2015 will receive 0.84% COLA on the first $37,808 of their benefit.
  • Those in plans less than 75% funded as of 6/30/2025 with retirement dates on or after 7/1/2015 will receive 0.84% COLA on the first $31,507 of their benefit.
• Police and Fire Municipal Employees in plans offering COLA who retired between 7/1/2012 and 6/30/2015 are eligible for COLA 3 years after retirement or age 55, whichever is later.
  • Those in plans 75% or more funded as of 6/30/2025 (see list of 95 MERS units) will receive 3.34% COLA on the first $31.507 of their benefit.
  • Those in plans less than 75% funded as of 6/30/2025 with retirement dates between 7/1/2012 and 6/30/2015 will receive 0.84% COLA on the first $37,808 of their benefit.
  • Those in plans less than 75% funded as of 6/30/2025 with retirement dates on or after 7/1/2015 will receive 0.84% COLA on the first $31,507 of their benefit.
• Police and Fire Municipal Employees in plans offering COLA who retired after 7/1/2015 are eligible for COLA 3 years after retirement or age 50, whichever is later.
  • Those in plans 75% or more funded as of 6/30/2025 (see list of 95 MERS units) will receive 3.34% COLA on the first $31,507 of their benefit.
  • Those in plans less than 75% funded as of 6/30/2025 with retirement dates between 7/1/2012 and 6/30/2015 will receive 0.84% COLA on the first $37,808 of their benefit.
  • Those in plans less than 75% funded as of 6/30/2025 with retirement dates on or after 7/1/2015 will receive 0.84% COLA on the first $31,507 of their benefit.
• Most eligible members receive their COLA the month following their 3-year retirement anniversary. However, for members who reach their COLA eligibility based on their on their AGE – either their Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA) or age 50 or 55 - when this date is later than the 3-year anniversary - their COLA month will be the month following their SSNRA or birthdate.
  • Note that for members with retirement dates in December who reach COLA eligibility on their 3-year retirement anniversary, COLA adjustments are paid the following January (2027).

_{*with the exception of retirees who were not receiving COLA by 6/30/2012 and who have not yet reached age 65.}

• Retired Judges or State Police are eligible for COLA 3 years after retirement or upon reaching Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA), whichever is later. COLA for State Police and Judges is currently suspended until aggregate State funding status reaches 75% or higher. Until that time, a COLA is paid every 4 years. Eligible members received a 4-year COLA in 2025 and are scheduled to receive a 4-year COLA in 2029.
• Teacher Survivors’ Benefit (TSB) payees who are age 60 or over and who are receiving spousal benefits with effective dates of 12/1/2025 or earlier are eligible to receive a 2.8% COLA on their full benefit amount. TSB COLA adjustments for all eligible payees will be applied to benefits in January 2026.
• Retired Central Falls Legacy or West Warwick Legacy Members: COLA eligibility rules and amounts are pursuant to individual plan documents.