{"id":5001,"date":"2026-05-31T04:02:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T04:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/31\/may-is-winding-down-why-most-but-not-all-ca-government-retirees-got-extra-money-2\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T04:02:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T04:02:30","slug":"may-is-winding-down-why-most-but-not-all-ca-government-retirees-got-extra-money-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/31\/may-is-winding-down-why-most-but-not-all-ca-government-retirees-got-extra-money-2\/","title":{"rendered":"May is winding down. Why most, but not all, CA government retirees got extra money"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For over 800,000 retired California government workers, May was a big month. That\u2019s because the California Public Employees\u2019 Retirement System cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) went out.<\/p>\n

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For California government retirees specifically, their cost-of-living increase is distributed by CalPERS, which is different and separate from the COLA administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).<\/p>\n

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The COLA distributed by CalPERS is calculated based on three distinct factors: the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Customers, which is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics annually; a government retiree\u2019s employers\u2019 contracted COLA percentage; and the year that employee retired. So the percentage for a CalPERS retiree\u2019s COLA could be more or less than the 2.8% overall baseline from the SSA.<\/p>\n

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According to CalPERS spokesperson Allison Meraz, 96% of retirees are contracted for a 2% increase while the remaining are contracted for 3%, 4% or 5%.<\/p>\n

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Their adjustment is paid to them in the second year after their retirement in May. So CalPERS annuitants who retired in 2024 and prior should have received their first adjustment as of May 1. Those that retired in 2025 will receive a COLA in 2027.<\/p>\n

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To find out exactly how much money you should have received, CalPERS has a website with specific instructions to get your COLA estimate.<\/p>\n

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What if I\u2019m only on Social Security? When should I have gotten my check?<\/h2>\n

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For Social Security checks that are different from CalPERS, they are distributed by birthdates on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of every month and follow the . For May, that calendar paced out as follows:<\/p>\n

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