MoDOT & Patrol Employees’ Retirement System
MPERS is pleased to announce that the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) rate has been set at 2.152%. This annual adjustment is an important part of your retirement benefit, helping you keep pace with inflation and maintain purchasing power throughout your retirement years.
How the COLA Is Determined
The COLA is calculated by comparing the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) from one year to the next. MPERS uses 80% of the percentage increase in the CPI-U, with a maximum of 5%.
When Will You See the Increase?
- Closed Plan: COLA increases are applied to benefits in October each year. Members employed before August 28, 1997, receive a guaranteed minimum of 4% and a maximum of 5% until cumulative increases reach 65% of the original benefit. After that, the CPI-U formula applies.
- Year 2000 Plan: COLAs are applied on the anniversary of your retirement or BackDROP date.
- 2011 Tier: Members who retire directly from active service receive COLAs on the anniversary of their retirement date. Members who retire from a vested former member status receive their first COLA on the second anniversary of their retirement date, and annually thereafter.
How Does This Compare to Other COLAs?
The Social Security Administration COLA is calculated differently from the MPERS COLA; therefore, they may differ.
For more information and to explore historical COLA data, visit the MPERS COLA page.