Q: I will be 75 Oct. 28. I am in CSRS and have been working at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for 39 years. I plan to retire on Oct. 30. Will I be eligible for the COLA (if there is any) in January of next year? Also, on which day, Sept. 30 or Oct. 30, would it be better for me to retire?
A: If there is a cost-of-living adjustment and you retire at the end of September, you’ll be on the annuity roll in October and receive 1/6th of that COLA. If you retire at the end of September, you’ll be on the annuity roll in October and receive 1/12th of that COLA. As for which is the better month for you retire, that’s a judgment you’ll have to make.