Updated October 30, 2026. Quick answer: Worcester Regional Retirement System retirees get a COLA only when the Retirement Board approves one for that year. The Board generally approves 3% on the first $16,000 of a retiree’s allowance, a maximum of $480 a year; the latest grant in the documents read took effect July 1, 2023. The 2027 COLA is not published.
What the Board says
The WRRS frequently asked questions page says: “You will-if the Retirement Board approves a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for that year. The Board generally approves a 3% COLA on the first $16,000 of a retiree’s allowance.”
The rule in the financial statements
The 2023 financial statements state: “COLA’s granted subsequent to June 30, 1998 must be granted by the board and are the responsibility of the System. COLA may be approved in excess of the Consumer Price Index but not to exceed 3% of the base retirement allowance.” They report the latest grant found: “A COLA was granted to eligible retirees and survivors effective July 1, 2023. The 3% COLA was paid on a base of $16,000 (maximum $480).”
What state law lets a board do
Chapter 32, section 103 of the Massachusetts General Laws reads: “the board of any system may, by accepting the provisions of this as hereinafter provided, elect annually to pay a cost-of-living increase greater than the percentage increase, as recommended in the report prepared in accordance with paragraph (f) of subdivision (3) of section 21 for that year, but not greater than 3 per cent.” It also says: “In the event that the board determines that the cost of living adjustment recommended by said report shall substantially impair the funding schedule of said system, the board may elect not to pay a cost of living increase for said fiscal year”.
What the documents do not show
No COLA vote or figure for 2024, 2025 or 2026 was found in the documents read, so a later grant may exist. Check the Board’s notices before relying on the 2023 figure.
Where 2027 stands
The 2027 Worcester Regional COLA is not published: the Board votes each year and the pages read name no 2027 figure.
Common mistakes
- Expecting an automatic COLA every year. The Board approves one for a given year or it does not.
- Applying 3% to the whole allowance. The base stated in the financial statements for the 2023 grant was the first $16,000, a maximum of $480 that year.
- Using this page for state employee or teacher retirees. Those belong to the Massachusetts state systems.
Related: Worcester Regional Retirement System retirement decisions, how public pension decisions work, and whether Massachusetts taxes pensions.
Find the right next step for your situation
About how much do you have invested? Pick the range that fits; your next step appears immediately below.
Talk to an advisor about retirement income
For U.S. investors with $250,000 or more in investable assets. WiserAdvisor is an independent service matching you with 2 to 3 vetted advisers. Its form asks for your ZIP code and answers to a few questions; a match is not guaranteed.
Free to request, with no obligation to hire. By submitting, you consent to calls, texts and emails from WiserAdvisor and up to three advisers. Advisers pay for introductions.
Clear Money Guide may earn a referral payment for a qualifying completed form. An introduction is not a Clear Money Guide recommendation.
Opens on WiserAdvisor’s site in a new tab.
Explore advisor help with retirement income
Considering financial advice? Request an adviser introduction with no obligation to hire.
The form is run by Kapitalwise, our advisor-matching partner. Requesting an introduction is free. Submitting the form shares your contact details with advisers, so expect calls and texts. Advisers pay for introductions. Clear Money Guide may earn a referral payment for a qualifying submitted form, whether or not you hire anyone. A match is not guaranteed.
The Kapitalwise form opens here; you stay on this page.
What happens when you press the button
It asks about nine questions: age, investable assets, location; then your name, email and phone number, and verifies the phone by text. Nothing loads and nothing reaches Kapitalwise until you press the button.
Prefer flat-fee or hourly pricing instead? Compare ranges here.
Answer againSources
- Worcester Regional Retirement System, FAQ: Will I receive any increases to my retirement allowance: www.wrrboard.org
- Worcester Regional Retirement System, WRRS Financial Statements 2023: wrrboard.org
- Massachusetts Legislature, M.G.L. c.32 s.103: malegislature.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.