Equal COLA Act
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 EmployeesLegislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill, introduced by Senator Padilla, would change how annual raises are calculated for people retired from the federal government. It aims to make sure all federal retirees get the same percentage increase to keep up with inflation.
- Currently, workers in the newer retirement system often get smaller raises than those in the older system when inflation is high. This bill would remove those limits so everyone gets the full adjustment based on rising prices.
- The goal is to protect the buying power of retirees. When the cost of things like food and medicine goes up, this change ensures that retirement checks grow at the same rate so seniors do not fall behind financially.
- If this becomes law, it would apply to all future cost-of-living adjustments. It would help both current retirees and current federal employees who plan to retire in the future.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
This 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.
Programs
Milestones
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.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
FERS Retirement COLAs: Report Lays Out Background, Current Positions on Parity
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.
Cost-of-living adjustments will stay relatively static in 2026
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.
2026 CSRS COLA / 2026 FERS COLA - Federal Retiree, Social Security
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.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Equal COLA Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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