Senator Padilla Proposes Full Inflation Raises for Millions of Federal Retirees
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
↔Companion bill: Rep. Connolly Introduces Equal COLA Act to Boost Retirement Benefits for Federal EmployeesThis bill directly benefits federal retirees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) by giving them the full cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year, matching what retirees under the older Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) already receive. Currently, FERS retirees get a reduced COLA — when inflation exceeds 2%, their raise is capped at 1 percentage point less than the full increase. Over time, this gap erodes purchasing power significantly. The change would also benefit current federal workers who will eventually retire under FERS, protecting their future retirement income.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1011)
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
A Congressional Research Service report examines the Equal COLA Act (HR-491 and S-624), noting that the provision requiring lower COLAs for FERS employees was a 1980s legislative compromise. The bill seeks to provide FERS retirees the same inflation protection as those under the CSRS system.
With 2026 COLA figures set at 2.8% for CSRS and 2.0% for FERS, the article highlights the 'diet COLA' penalty. It notes that the Equal COLA Act, now led in the House by Rep. James Walkinshaw, remains the primary legislative vehicle to end this disparity.
The announcement of the 2026 COLA confirms a 2.8% increase for CSRS and 2.0% for FERS. The report references the Equal COLA Act as the proposed fix for the calculation discrepancy that prevents FERS retirees from receiving full inflation adjustments.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Equal COLA Act
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