The cost of living adjustment (COLA) is limited to a maximum annual increase or decrease set by the Board of Retirement and your plan limits.
The COLA is effective April 1, and any adjustments will appear on your April benefit made at the end of the month.
If the change in the CPI is negative due to deflation, your retirement benefit will be decreased, but it will never be decreased below the original benefit amount granted at retirement.
How the COLA Amount is Determined
SamCERA’s COLAs are calculated according to California law, which requires them to be based on the change in the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area (as determined by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics). The law also requires the amount to be rounded to the nearest one-half of one percent. Depending on how much the COLA is, your plan could limit the COLA. The COLA limits are:
- 2% for Plans 4, 5, 6, and 7
- 3% for Plan 2 and Probation Plan 1
- 5% for General and Safety Plan 1
Plan 3 does not provide a COLA.
How to Find the Amount of Your COLA
To find the actual dollar amount of your monthly COLA amount, review your benefit statement, check stub, or login to MySamCERA.
