A cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is an annual increase in compensation for certain individuals, often tied to a government-mandated metric reflecting inflation. For workers in the federal government, this adjustment helps maintain purchasing power amidst rising prices for goods and services. For example, if the measured inflation rate is 3%, salaries might be adjusted upward by a similar percentage.
These adjustments are crucial for ensuring that the compensation of public servants keeps pace with economic realities. This helps retain experienced employees, attract new talent, and maintain morale within the federal workforce. Historically, these adjustments have been tied to different indices and their implementation has varied over time, reflecting evolving economic conditions and policy priorities. This system provides a degree of financial security for employees and aims to shield them from the erosive effects of inflation on their income.