New Hampshire Retirement System

Cost-of-Living Adjustments

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When cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are granted by the Fiscal Committee of the New Hampshire Legislature, they are compounded and become a permanent addition to a retired member's pension. COLA amounts range from 1% to 5%. As of July 1, 1999, members who have been retired for at least twelve months as of July 1st of a year, or any beneficiary of such member who is receiving a pension, will be eligible to receive a COLA.  A COLA is effective July 1st of the year in which it is granted, retroactive to the member's most recent retirement anniversary date. For example, a member who retired on April 1, 2000, will be eligible for a COLA on July 1, 2001, and that COLA will be retroactive from July 1, 2001, back to April 1, 2001.

 

11 year history of COLAs granted to retired members:

 

  Employees Teachers Fire Police
July 2007
2.25%
2.25%
2.25%
2.25%
July 2006
1%
1%
1%
1%
July 2005
1%
1%
1.5%
1%
July 2004
1%
1%
2.5%
1%
July 2003
2%
2%
3.5%
2%
July 2002
2%
3%
3%
2%
July 2001
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
July 2000
4.5%
4.5%
4.5%
4.5%
July 1999
4%
4%
4%
4%
July 1998
4%
4%
4%
4%
July 1997
5%
5%
5%
5%