The Equal COLA Act aims to achieve parity in cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) between annuities under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Currently, FERS annuities often receive a reduced COLA compared to CSRS annuities, especially when inflation is higher. This bill amends title 5 of the United States Code to ensure that FERS annuities receive the full annual percentage change in the price index , effectively removing the current tiered or capped COLA calculation for FERS retirees. The amendment would apply to all COLAs made after the bill's enactment and to all FERS annuities, regardless of their commencement date, providing a more equitable adjustment for federal retirees.
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 491, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 491, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementInflation and prices
Equal COLA Act
USA119th CongressHR-491| House
| Updated: 9/16/2025
The Equal COLA Act aims to achieve parity in cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) between annuities under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Currently, FERS annuities often receive a reduced COLA compared to CSRS annuities, especially when inflation is higher. This bill amends title 5 of the United States Code to ensure that FERS annuities receive the full annual percentage change in the price index , effectively removing the current tiered or capped COLA calculation for FERS retirees. The amendment would apply to all COLAs made after the bill's enactment and to all FERS annuities, regardless of their commencement date, providing a more equitable adjustment for federal retirees.
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 491, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 491, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.