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COLA Increase for 2023
At its January 24, 2023 meeting, the Board of Retirement approved a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for most retirees and beneficiaries that will begin with the April 2023 benefit payment.

Announcement

At its January 24, 2023 meeting, the Board of Retirement approved a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees and beneficiaries in accordance with each plan as shown on the chart below:

Retiree or Beneficiary’s
Plan Type

Date of Retirement

2023 COLA %

COLA BANK %

Plan 1 - General and Safety

On or before 4/1/2023

5.0%

0.5%

Plan 1 – Probation

On or before 4/1/2023

3.0%
 

2.5%
 

Plan 2 – All Members

On or before 4/1/2023

3.0%

n/a

Plan 3

n/a

n/a

n/a

Plan 4, 5, 6, 7 - All Members

On or before 4/1/2023

2.0%

n/a

This COLA applies to eligible retirees and beneficiaries who retire on or before April 1, 2023, and the amount of the COLA will vary depending on the retirement plan. 

The COLA for Plan 1 General and Safety members is 5.0% with a 0.5% COLA bank. Plan 1 Probation members will receive a 3.0% COLA with a 2.5% COLA bank. The COLA for Plan 2 members is 3.0%, and the COLA for Plans 4, 5, 6 and 7 is 2.0%. Plan 3 does not provide a COLA.

All COLAs will be paid beginning with the April 28, 2023 benefit payment.

Current employees considering retirement: If you want to take advantage of this year’s COLA, you must retire on or before April 1, 2023. If you’re thinking about retirement, contact SamCERA as soon as possible so your paperwork can be processed in time for you to receive your first retirement benefit check on April 28.