Legis Daily

Equal COLA Act

USA119th CongressS-624| Senate 
| Updated: 2/18/2025
Alex Padilla

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (17)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to achieve parity in cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for federal retirees by amending the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to match the adjustments provided under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Currently, FERS annuities often receive a reduced COLA compared to CSRS annuities, particularly during periods of higher inflation. The bill specifically amends section 8462(b)(1) of title 5, United States Code, to mandate that FERS annuities be increased by the full percentage change in the price index , thereby eliminating the current formula that can lead to smaller adjustments. This ensures that FERS retirees receive a COLA that fully reflects inflation, aligning their benefits with those of CSRS retirees. These changes will apply to all future cost-of-living adjustments and to all FERS annuities, regardless of their commencement date.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4221
Equal COLA Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3194
Equal COLA Act
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1011)
Sep 16, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-491
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4221
    Equal COLA Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3194
    Equal COLA Act


  • February 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1011)


  • September 16, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-491
    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 Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-491: Equal COLA Act
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementInflation and prices

Equal COLA Act

USA119th CongressS-624| Senate 
| Updated: 2/18/2025
This legislation aims to achieve parity in cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for federal retirees by amending the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to match the adjustments provided under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Currently, FERS annuities often receive a reduced COLA compared to CSRS annuities, particularly during periods of higher inflation. The bill specifically amends section 8462(b)(1) of title 5, United States Code, to mandate that FERS annuities be increased by the full percentage change in the price index , thereby eliminating the current formula that can lead to smaller adjustments. This ensures that FERS retirees receive a COLA that fully reflects inflation, aligning their benefits with those of CSRS retirees. These changes will apply to all future cost-of-living adjustments and to all FERS annuities, regardless of their commencement date.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4221
Equal COLA Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3194
Equal COLA Act
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1011)
Sep 16, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-491
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4221
    Equal COLA Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3194
    Equal COLA Act


  • February 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1011)


  • September 16, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-491
    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.
Alex Padilla

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (17)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-491: Equal COLA Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementInflation and prices