Updated October 30, 2026. Quick answer: The Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma has no automatic COLA: each increase is granted by the Legislature. Senate Bill 1144 (2026) gives retirees an increase based on how long they had been retired as of June 30, 2026: 3% if at least eight but under 20 years, 6% if 20 years or more. It takes effect November 1, 2026. No 2027 COLA is set.
More on public pension retirement ages and eligibility: the Oklahoma TRS retirement age and eligibility rules by join date.
Estimate an Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System annuity from group, service, age and average pay: Oklahoma TRS retirement calculator.
The 2026 increase
Senate Bill 1144 says: “Any person receiving benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma as of June 30, 2026, who continues to receive benefits on or after the effective date of this section, shall receive an increase in benefits as follows”: “Three percent (3%) if the person has been retired for at least eight (8) years but less than twenty (20) years as of June 30, 2026”; and “Six percent (6%) if the person has been retired for twenty (20) years or more as of June 30, 2026.”
The OTRS FAQ explains the timing: “The law goes into effect on November 1, 2026. Because retirement benefit payments are made in arrears, the increase will be applied to the November benefit payment, which will be issued on December 1, 2026.” It adds: “This is a permanent benefit increase for those who qualify. The adjusted amount will become your new base benefit going forward.” “Members who retired on or after July 1, 2018, do not qualify to receive this Cost of Living Adjustment.”
The 2020 increase
The most recent earlier increase in the sources read is the 2020 COLA. The TRS Advisor said: “Retirees who have been retired at least two years, but less than five years, will get a 2% increase in their pension benefit. Retirees who have been retired for five or more full years will get a 4% increase”.
Where 2027 stands
No 2027 Oklahoma TRS COLA is set: only the Legislature can grant one, so a 2027 COLA would need a new bill, and this page updates if one passes.
A worked example
As a computed illustration (not a source figure), a retiree with a monthly benefit of $2,000 (invented, for the computation) would see a 3% increase of $60 (computed) or a 6% increase of $120 (computed) a month, depending on years retired.
What this page does not cover
Active members are not covered, and the tier depends on the original member’s retirement date for joint annuitants and beneficiaries. Check the OTRS FAQ for your own situation.
Common mistakes
- Expecting a yearly COLA. Oklahoma grants them only by a bill, and the 2020 and 2026 increases the sources show came years apart.
- Assuming a recent retiree qualifies. Members who retired on or after July 1, 2018 do not get the 2026 increase.
- Counting the increase in a check before December 1, 2026. It applies to the November payment issued December 1.
Related: Oklahoma TRS retirement decisions, how public pension decisions work, and whether Oklahoma taxes pensions.
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Answer againSources
- Oklahoma Legislature, Enrolled Senate Bill 1144: www.oklegislature.gov
- Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma, TRS 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) FAQ: oklahoma.gov
- Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma, TRS Advisor, Summer 2020: oklahoma.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.