2009 military pension cost-of-living increases

UIPL5-09acc.pdf (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/UIPL/2009/UIPL5-09acc.pdf)

                                                             CLASSIFICATION
         EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING                             UI
      ADMINISTRATION ADVISORY SYSTEM                         CORRESPONDENCE
                                                             SYMBOL
         U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                            OWS/DUIO
            Washington, D.C. 20210                           DATE
                                                             January 2, 2009

ADVISORY:            UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 5-09

TO:                  STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES

FROM:                BRENT R. ORRELL /s/
                     Deputy Assistant Secretary

SUBJECT:             Increase in Federal Military Pensions

1. Purpose. To ensure State Workforce Agencies are aware of the Federal military
   retired pay annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) and to provide the Department
   of Defense Web site where the COLA information is located.

2. Background. Military COLA increases will be effective December 1, 2008, based on
   the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Military retired pay, by law, is
   always rounded down to the next lower dollar amount. The term "retired pay"
   includes retainer pay and the term "member" includes former members.

3. COLA for Retired Pay. The COLA increase for those individuals who first became a
   member of a uniformed service before September 8, 1980, is 5.8%.

   The COLA increases for those who became members of a uniformed service on or
   after September 8, 1980, are determined by the effective date of their retirement as
   follows:

   Retirement Effective                  Percent Increase                10 U.S.C. Authority

   Before January 1, 2008                5.8 percent                        1401a(b)(2)

   January 1 - March 31, 2008            5.0 percent                        1401a(d)

   April 1 - June 30, 2008               3.8 percent                        1401a(d)

   July 1 – September 30, 2008           1.2 percent                        1401a(d)

   October 1 – December 31, 2008         0.0 percent                        1401a(d)
   The above information is on the Department of Defense Web site located at:
   http://www.dfas.mil/retiredpay/costoflivingallowancecola.html.


 RESCISSIONS                                           EXPIRATION DATE
 None                                                  January 2, 2010


4. Instructions. States with laws that require a reduction of the UI weekly benefit
   amount by the prorated weekly amount of retired pay and pensions should identify
   claimants affected by the COLA increases and make the appropriate reductions as
   required by state law.

5. Action Required. State Administrators are requested to provide the above
   information to appropriate staff.

6. Inquiries. Please direct all inquiries to the appropriate Regional Office.