OPERS announces COLA for 2027
Inflation-based adjustment to be 3.0%, based on government statistics
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
July 23, 2026 – Cost-of-living adjustments for all eligible OPERS members in 2027 will be 3%.
While those with a benefit effective date prior to Jan. 7, 2013, automatically receive a 3% adjustment, those with an effective date after that date have their COLAs based on the Consumer Price Index-W, the government’s inflation index for urban wage earners and clerical workers.
According to state law, the annual COLA for those retirees is to be based on the change in the CPI-W from the end of June 2025 to the end of June this year, with a maximum adjustment of 3%. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the CPI-W increased 3.5% over that period, so OPERS’ CPI-based COLA for 2027 will be 3.0%. For reference, click on “CPI-W, June 2026” on this page of the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and refer to cell AD-7 in the spreadsheet.
OPERS’ inflation-based COLA uses the same index as Social Security. But the time period measured is different, so the adjustments might not always match up.
The adjustment is calculated on recipients’ original monthly benefit and is paid on the anniversary of their benefit effective date.
Michael Pramik
Michael Pramik is communication strategist for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and editor of the PERSpective blog. As an experienced business journalist, he clarifies complex pension policies and helps members make smart choices to secure their retirement.
Thank you !! I’m so happy to have worked under OPERS retirement !! Thank you so so much.
You need to raise the HRA contributions!
They did. The old base was 1200. Now it is 1300. For instance I receive 82% of base $984 but will increase December to 82% of base now $1066. Very grateful for this.
When will Opers give us an extra bump in our cola since we aren’t keeping up with the cola SS is receiving every year
Jim,
The cost-of-living allowance can be changed only by the Ohio General Assembly.
We get that cola increase and medicare goes up more. Have that make sense to me.
Debra,
The OPERS COLA is meant to mitigate inflation. It is not tied to Medicare rates.