Inflation data

Retirement benefit Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are determined by the consumer price indexes calculated and maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households with a base year of 1967. We update this page in the spring of each year.

Separate indexes are produced for regional urban areas and the nation as a whole. Indexes are further specified "all urban consumers" (CPI-U), and "urban wage-earners and clerical workers" (CPI-W). The regional CPI-W index below is used to determine annual benefit increases for the Plans 2 and 3, the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters system, the Washington State Patrol system, and a handful of Plan 1 retirees who selected a benefit payment option that provides a Plan 2-style COLA. The national CPI-W index below is used to determine annual benefit increases for the Judicial system and the Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers system.