COLAs

Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) and other supplemental allowances are not automatic every year.  The Legislature must vote annually on what, if any, COLAs or other allowances will be granted.

Learn more about the history of cost-of-living adjustments here.

NHRS COLA History, 1997-2022

Employee Teacher Police Fire
 2023 No COLA; $500 TSA for members who retired on or before July 1, 2018, with 20 or more year service, or any beneficiary of such member who is receiving a survivor pension benefit; and whose annual retirement allowance on June 30, 2023, was not greater than $40,000. Note: This payment will be issued in the first half of 2024.
 2022 No COLA; $500 TSA for members who retired on or before July 1, 2017, or any beneficiary of such member who is receiving a survivor pension benefit; and whose annual retirement allowance on June 30, 2022, was not greater than $30,000.
 2021 No new COLA, but 2019 COLA (see below) phased in monthly through July 2021.

 2020

No new COLA, but 2019 COLA (see below) phased in monthly beginning August 2020.

 2019

1.5% COLA on the first $50,000 of an annual pension benefit to members who retired on or before July 1, 2014, or any beneficiary of such member who is receiving a survivorship pension benefit. The COLA took effect on the retired member’s first anniversary date of retirement occurring after July 1, 2020. Click here for details.

2018

No COLA

$500 payment to retirees who meet all of the following criteria:
-The member retired with at least 20 years of creditable service;
-The member retired and has been receiving an allowance for at least 5 years prior to July 1, 2018;
-The annual retirement allowance of the member on June 30, 2018, is not greater than $30,000.

2013-17 None None None None
2011-12

No COLA          

$500/$1K TSA* for political subdivision retirees receiving Medical Subsidy ($300/$600 for Medicare-eligible political subdivision retirees receiving Medical Subsidy)

2008-10

1.5% COLA on first $30K of base pension, plus:

$1K TSA if base pension is less than $20K and retiree had at least 15 years of creditable service

$500 TSA if retired before 1/1/93 - $500/$1K TSA if receiving Medical Subsidy           

2007 2.25% 2.25% 2.25% 2.25%
2006 1% 1% 1% 1%
2005 1% 1% 1% 1.5%
2004 1% 1% 1% 2.25%
2003 2% 2% 2% 3.5%
2002 2% 3% 2% 3%
2001 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5%
2000 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5%
1999 4% 4% 4% 4%
1998 4% 4% 4% 4%
1997 5% 5% 5% 5%
* A temporary supplemental allowance (TSA) is a one-time payment.