After the second quarter of 2022, the third quarter for the 2023 COLA adjustment period, the quarterly average has increased by 7.4%.

HOW THE COLA IS CALCULATED

The 2023 FERS retiree COLA is based on the third quarter (July, August, September) average CPI-W index (1982-84=100) in 2022 over the 2021 third quarter average. 

However, if the CPI-W quarterly average increases 3% or more, they subtract 1%. For example, a 5% increase in the quarterly CPI-W average results in a 4% adjustment. If the quarterly average increases from 2% to 3%, benefits increase by 2%. A CPI-W quarterly average increase of 2% or less will increase benefits by the change in the CPI-W quarterly average.