Updated October 30, 2026. Quick answer: The New Jersey State Police Retirement System (SPRS) COLA has been suspended since June 28, 2011 under Chapter 78, P.L. 2011, for current and future retirees. The Division of Pensions and Benefits letter says it is suspended, and the February 2026 SPRS guidebook says COLAs added before that date were not reduced. A Pension Committee may consider reinstating it when the system reaches a target funded ratio. No 2027 COLA is set.
What the guidebook says
The SPRS Member Guidebook, dated February 2026, says: “there is no reduction to any COLA increases that were already added to retiree benefits prior to June 28, 2011, the effective date of the law.”
What the Division’s letter says
The Division of Pensions and Benefits letter to certifying officers, dated July 14, 2011, says: “Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) are suspended for all current and future retirees of all retirement systems-including the SPRS.”
How a COLA could return
The letter describes the route: “Chapter 78 also provides for the establishment of a Pension Committee which may consider reinstating the COLA when the retirement system reaches a “target funded ratio” established by the law.” It defines the test: ““Target funded ratio” means a ratio of the value of assets against the accrued liabilities of 75% and increasing annually by equal increments over seven fiscal years to a ratio of 80%.”
What the documents do not say
Neither document gives the date or percentage of the last COLA paid before the suspension. The statute text is not archived, and no source read says whether the Pension Committee has met or the target funded ratio has been reached.
Where 2027 stands
No 2027 SPRS COLA is set: the Division’s July 2011 letter and the February 2026 guidebook show the COLA suspended, and reinstating it is a Pension Committee consideration.
Common mistakes
- Expecting an annual Pension Adjustment Program increase. The guidebook and the Division’s letter say COLA is suspended.
- Assuming past COLAs were removed. The Division’s letter and guidebook say increases already added before June 28, 2011 were not reduced.
- Applying this page to the other New Jersey systems. PFRS, PERS and TPAF have their own pages.
Related: New Jersey SPRS retirement decisions, how public pension decisions work, and whether New Jersey taxes pensions.
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Answer againSources
- NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits, State Police Retirement System (SPRS) Member Guidebook: www.nj.gov
- NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits, Chapter 78, P.L. 2011 Pension Changes for the State Police Retirement System (SPRS), letter to certifying officers: nj.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.