Updated October 30, 2026. Quick answer: TRS Georgia COLAs are not granted automatically. The member guide says a retiree receives 1.5% on January 1 or July 1 when the current average CPI is at least the average CPI at retirement. The latest TRS Board announcement found is the 96th consecutive COLA, effective January 1, 2025. No 2027 COLA is announced.
More on public pension retirement ages and eligibility: the Georgia TRS retirement age and eligibility rules.
How the TRS Georgia COLA works
The TRS member guide says: “Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are based on increases or decreases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and are not automatically granted.” “If the current average CPI is equal to or greater than the average CPI at the time you retired, you will receive a 1.5% COLA.” “COLAs are granted each January 1st and July 1st to eligible retirees.” “If your date of retirement is between July 1st and December 1st, you may be eligible to receive your first COLA on the subsequent July 1st.”
The latest announcement read
TRS announced on February 13, 2025: “is pleased to announce our 96 th consecutive cost of living adjustment (COLA) since July 1, 1977 for eligible TRS retirees, effective January 1, 2025.” The release does not print a percentage, so the 1.5% above comes from the member guide rule.
Where 2027 stands
No TRS Georgia COLA after January 1, 2025 appears on the TRS news releases page read for this page, and this page updates when TRS announces its next one. COLAs are granted each January 1 and July 1, so the next date is January 1, 2027.
What this page does not cover
This page could not read the governing statute or any TRS announcement for July 2025, January 2026 or July 2026, so a later COLA may exist that is not stated here. It also does not cover the Georgia ERS or the Public School Employees Retirement System. Check TRS for your own record.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a COLA is automatic. The member guide says COLAs are not automatically granted.
- Expecting a COLA when the current average CPI is below the average CPI at retirement. The guide pays none then.
- Counting a first COLA before the eligibility date set by the retirement month.
Related: TRS Georgia retirement decisions, how public pension decisions work, and whether Georgia taxes pensions.
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Answer againSources
- Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, Member’s Guide: www.trsga.com
- Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, TRS Board Approves Cost of Living Adjustment for Retirees: www.trsga.com
- Related official page (not quoted): Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts: www.audits.ga.gov
- Related official page (not quoted): Georgia General Assembly: www.legis.ga.gov
Read from the primary documents linked above on October 30, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer or the IRS itself is the right place to confirm anything consequential.