For the first time, you can now view your personalized cost-of-living estimate instantly in your myCalPERS account.
See Your COLA Estimate in Seconds
Your COLA is unique to you—based on your retirement date, employer contract, and other factors. View your personalized estimate with just a couple of clicks.
How to find it in myCalPERS:
- Log in to your myCalPERS account.
- Go to Retirement.
- Select Benefit Summary.
Your cost-of-living estimate will appear instantly. Please note, the COLA amount is already included in your total monthly pension. The COLA shown reflects the total increase you have received since you first became eligible.
Important Details About Your Estimate
This feature is only available through April 30, so you can preview your COLA before your May 1 retirement payment is issued. In some cases, the COLA estimate may not be available in your account ahead of time.
Keep in mind that the COLA shown in your myCalPERS account is an estimate. Your final, official COLA will be reflected in your May 1 retirement payment and may differ from the estimate.
Your COLA Arrives May 1—But You Can Preview It Now
Public Employees’ Retirement Law specifies that COLAs are applied every year on May 1. That means your May 1 retirement payment, which reflects your April benefit (retirement checks are paid for the previous month) will include your official COLA amount.
The new estimate feature provides early insight, but your official COLA is always reflected in your May 1 warrant.
Don’t See Your COLA Yet?
The retirement law states that your first COLA is applied in the second calendar year of retirement. That means if you retired in 2024, you would receive your first COLA in May 2026. If you retired in 2025, you’ll see your first COLA in your May 2027 retirement check.
Don’t Have a myCalPERS Account?
If you don’t have a myCalPERS account yet, this is the perfect time to sign up. You’ll need to create one by registering for a myCalPERS account. It takes only a few minutes, and it gives you secure access to your retirement information anytime.
Once you have your myCalPERS account, you’ll have access to your retirement information, statements, tax forms, and now your COLA estimate.
Still Have Questions About the COLA?
For more information about the COLA, visit our COLA webpage.
You’ll also find information about the Purchasing Power Protection Allowance (PPPA), which protects against inflation for those whose benefits fall below minimum levels established by law.