2019 COLA Announcement

Will there be raise for retirees for 2019? When will it be decided and how much?

Yes, if you are referring to the annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), assuming there is an increase in Consumer Price Index. We will calculate the 2019 COLA in January 2019. The rate calculation is based on 80% of the percentage increase in the average Consumer Price Index from one year to the next. The maximum increase is 5% (minimum 0%). We will get the data we need to make the calculation in mid-January 2019.

As a retired general state employee, you will receive a COLA each year on the anniversary of your retirement date, unless one of these exceptions applies to you:

• Retirees who converted from MSEP to MSEP 2000 during the conversion window in 2000 have COLAs payable each year in July.
• Retirees who elected a BackDROP will have COLAs payable each year on the anniversary of their BackDROP date.
• MSEP 2011 members hired after January 1, 2018 who leave state employment prior to retirement eligibility, will receive their first COLA on the second anniversary of their retirement.

Watch our website in January for more information. Learn more on the COLA page and in the upcoming issue of RetireeNews coming in December.

We will send you a notice, either in the mail or in your MOSERS Document Express online mailbox, during the month when you get your COLA.

Note: If you are a legislator or statewide elected official who retired under MSEP 2000 or MSEP 2011, you do not automatically get COLAs. Your benefit will be adjusted only if there is an increase in pay for active members of the general assembly or statewide elected officials, respectively.