2026 COLA

Tier 1 retirees are eligible to receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) annually. This adjustment is effective April each year and is first payable in April’s month-end payment. 

The MercedCERA Board voted unanimously via roll call vote to approve the COLA rate recommended by Cheiron of 3.00% to Tier I retirees who retired April 2, 2025, through April 1, 2026. Members who retired prior to April 2, 2024, and maintained a COLA bank, shall not be required to utilize their accumulated COLA carry-over balance.