Cost-of-living adjustments and/or other temporary supplemental allowances (one-time, lump sum payments) are not automatic. They must be approved by the NH Legislature. Group I Summaries (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 2, Pension Benefit Increases; NHRS Service Retirement Booklet (Rev 7/2023), PDF p. 3
2025: HB 536 (a COLA for those retired at least 60 months by 7/1/25) was tabled or sent to interim study; no Group I COLA enacted. 2026: no COLA bill enacted for Group I. NHRS 2025 Legislation page (Legislative Tracker 2025, final), HB 536 '#'; NHRS Legislative Updates, 2026 Session (Legislative Tracker 2026, final)
The last COLA (2019)
A 1.5% COLA on the first $50,000 of the annual allowance for members retired at least 60 months on or before July 1, 2019 (and their beneficiaries), on the member's first retirement anniversary after July 1, 2020; a permanent addition to the base allowance. RSA 100-A:41-e, I and III; NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25, 2019 session item 1
What that law's formula, 1.5% of the first $50,000, added to three pensions. Our arithmetic on a past law, not a forecast:
| Yearly pension | Added a year | A month |
|---|---|---|
| $24,000 | $360 | $30.00 |
| $40,000 | $600 | $50.00 |
| $60,000 | $750 | $62.50 |
COLA history since 2007
| Session | What passed |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2.25% COLA for those retired before July 1, 2006, effective July 1, 2007.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2007 session) |
| 2008 | 1.5% added to base pension on the first $30,000, July 1, 2008, plus temporary supplemental allowances.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2008 session item 4) |
| 2009 | 1.5% on the first $30,000 for those retired at least 12 months by July 1, 2009, plus supplemental allowances.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2009 session item 14) |
| 2010 | 1.5% on the first $30,000 for those retired at least 12 months by July 1, 2010, plus supplemental allowances.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2010 session item 2) |
| 2019 | 1.5% on the first $50,000 for those retired on or before July 1, 2014 (60 months by July 1, 2019).NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2019 session item 1); RSA 100-A:41-e |
One-time payments
Instead of a lasting raise, the Legislature has several times paid a one-time amount to some retirees. These don't add to your monthly pension.
| Session | Amount | Who got it |
|---|---|---|
| 2018paid fiscal year 2019 | $500 | One-time $500 in FY 2019: at least 20 years of service, receiving an allowance at least 5 years before July 1, 2018, annual allowance on June 30, 2018 not over $30,000.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2018 session item 2) |
| 2022 | $500 | One-time $500 to retirees and beneficiaries retired on or before July 1, 2017 with an annual pension of $30,000 or less.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2022 session item 3) |
| 2023paid 2024 | $500 | One-time $500 (paid in 2024) to retirees or beneficiaries who retired on or before July 1, 2018, with 20 or more years of service and an annual pension of $40,000 or less.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2023 session item 2); NHRS 2023 Legislation page, HB 2 |
| 2024 | $500 | One-time $500 in FY 2025 to accidental disability retirees (or their survivor beneficiaries) retired on or before July 1, 2018 with an annual pension of $50,000 or less.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2024 session item 1) |
Most of these were limited to people who had been retired for years and had smaller pensions. Someone retiring now wouldn't have qualified for any of them.
COLAs and part-time work
If you work part-time for an NHRS employer after retiring and go over the hours limit, you lose the state annuity part of your pension, and any COLAs on it, for 12 months. See working after retirement. Group I Summaries (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 2, Working after Retirement; NHRS Part-time Employment FAQ (Sept. 2026), PDF pp. 1-3; RSA 100-A:1, XXXIV; RSA 100-A:7
- NHRS has no automatic cost-of-living adjustment. COLAs and one-time payments happen only if the New Hampshire Legislature approves them.Group I Summaries (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 2, Pension Benefit Increases
- The last COLA was 1.5% on the first $50,000 of the pension, for people retired at least 60 months by July 1, 2019, paid on their first retirement anniversary after July 1, 2020. It became a permanent part of the pension.RSA 100-A:41-e; NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25, 2019 session
- Recent one-time $500 payments: in 2024, to those retired on or before July 1, 2018 with 20+ years and a pension of $40,000 or less (2023 law); in 2022, to those retired on or before July 1, 2017 with a pension of $30,000 or less.NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25 (2023 session item 2; 2022 session item 3)
- No Group I COLA was enacted in 2025 or 2026. A 2025 COLA bill (HB 536) was tabled or sent to study.NHRS 2025 Legislation page (tracker, final); NHRS Legislative Updates, 2026 Session (tracker, final)
Because there's no automatic increase, inflation slowly shrinks what your pension buys. That's worth weighing when you decide when to retire and when you plan Social Security. Estimate your pension in the calculator.
Questions
Does NHRS have an automatic COLA?
No. Cost-of-living adjustments and/or other temporary supplemental allowances (one-time, lump sum payments) are not automatic. They must be approved by the NH Legislature.
When was the last NHRS COLA?
The 2019 Legislature passed a 1.5% COLA on the first $50,000 of the pension for members retired at least 60 months on or before July 1, 2019, paid on their first retirement anniversary after July 1, 2020.
Is there a COLA for NHRS retirees in 2025 or 2026?
No Group I COLA was enacted in either year. 2025: HB 536 (a COLA for those retired at least 60 months by 7/1/25) was tabled or sent to interim study; no Group I COLA enacted. 2026: no COLA bill enacted for Group I.
Source: NHRS Group I (Employee and Teacher) Member Benefits summaries, Tiers A, B and C, Rev. 10/2024, PDF p. 2. Also: NHRS Service Retirement Booklet (Rev 7/2023); NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25; NHRS legislative trackers 2023-2026; NHRS Part-time Employment FAQ (Sept. 2026); RSA 100-A:1, 100-A:7, 100-A:41-e. Last reviewed .