Updated October 30, 2026. Quick answer: Alaska PERS and TRS retirees get an automatic Post Retirement Pension Adjustment (PRPA) effective July 1 each year, a share of the prior calendar year’s cost of living increase. The latest figures the division’s notices show are for 2025: 1.053% and 1.580%. The July 2027 adjustment is not set yet. A separate Alaska COLA of 10% exists, but it is not automatic and you must apply.
More on public pension retirement ages and eligibility: the Alaska PERS and TRS defined benefit retirement age and eligibility rules.
How the automatic adjustment works
The Division of Retirement and Benefits says: “The PRPA is calculated, effective July 1 each year, by multiplying the recipient’s base benefit, including past PRPAs, times:” The two rates are “75% of the cost of living increase in the preceding calendar year or 9%, whichever is less, if the recipient is at least age 65 or on PERS disability on July 1”. and “50% of the cost of living increase in the preceding calendar year or 6%, whichever is less, if the recipient is at least age 60 on July 1, or under age 60 if the recipient has been receiving PERS benefits for at least 5 years or has been receiving TRS benefits for at least 8 years as of July 1”. The division’s page says the adjustment follows “the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers for Anchorage”.
Who is covered and who is left out
The page says the administrator increases benefits for “eligible disabled members and to retirees age 60 or older receiving benefits under PERS or TRS in the preceding calendar year”, and to those who have received “benefits under PERS for at least 5 years or TRS benefits for at least 8 years as of July 1”. It adds: “Eligible recipients, who have not received pension benefits during the entire preceding calendar year, will receive a prorated PRPA.” This page covers the defined benefit plans for members who first entered before July 1, 2006. Members who first entered on or after that date are in a defined contribution plan, and the sources read do not describe a PRPA for them.
The separate Alaska COLA
The division describes a second benefit: “The amount of COLA a PERS member receives is 10% of their base retirement benefit (or a minimum of $50 per month, whichever is larger).” It also says: “Receipt of COLA is not automatic. If you wish to receive COLA, you must submit an Application for Cost-of-Living (form 02-1896).” Eligibility depends on first-entry date and age; the division lists: “Members who first entered the PERS before July 1, 1986, and their survivors;” “Members who first entered the PERS after June 30, 1986, but before July 1, 2006, and their survivors, if they are at least age 65;” “Members who first entered the TRS before July 1, 1990, and their survivors;” “Members who first entered the TRS after June 30, 1990, but before July 1, 2006, and their survivors, if they are at least age 65;” and “All disabled members receiving PERS or TRS disability benefits, regardless of age or date of hire.”
The latest adjustment shown
The division’s 2025 notice says: “If you meet these requirements or are age 60 to 64 on July 1, 2025, you will receive 50% ( 1.053% ) of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change during 2024.” It adds: “Retirees aged 65 or older and all disability benefit recipients receive 75% ( 1.580% ) of the CPI.” On the index, it says: “The CPI for the 2025 PRPA is 2.107% .” These are 2025 figures, paid from July 1, 2025.
Where 2027 stands
The next July 1 adjustment, in 2027, is not set yet: it depends on the Anchorage consumer price change during calendar year 2026, and this page updates when the Division of Retirement and Benefits publishes it.
One gap to know about: the 2026 adjustment notice could not be found on the division’s site, so this page does not state a 2026 figure. The 2025 notice also does not print an exact publication date.
Common mistakes
- Treating the 10% Alaska COLA as automatic. The division says receipt is not automatic and requires an application.
- Expecting every retiree to get the larger rate. The 75% rate applies at age 65 or older or on disability, and the 50% rate applies at the younger ages that qualify.
- Using the 2025 percentages as the 2027 adjustment. The July 2027 figure depends on the 2026 calendar year price change and is not set yet.
Related: Alaska PERS and TRS retirement decisions, how public pension decisions work, and whether Alaska taxes pensions.
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Answer againSources
- Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits, Retiree Planning: Cost of Living Allowance and Post Retirement Pension Adjustments: drb.alaska.gov
- Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits, 2025 Post Retirement Pension Adjustment: drb.alaska.gov
- Related official page (not quoted): IRS Tax Topic 410, Pensions and annuities: www.irs.gov
- Related official page (not quoted): IRS Tax Topic 411, Pensions: the General Rule and the Simplified Method: www.irs.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.