Jan. 12, 2021

Announcement of 2021 CONUS Living Pattern Survey (Flag Voice 533)

I am pleased to announce the opening of the 2021 CONUS Living Pattern Survey (LPS).  As the first step in the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate setting process, the LPS is an opportunity for the CONUS military community to influence future rates.  Coast Guard participation helps ensure that the DoD has the necessary data to accurately compute COLA for the next three years (CYs 2022-24).  Members will be asked to select which goods and services they regularly purchase at local stores and the percentage of shopping they complete at on-base facilities (commissaries & exchanges – if available) and online.  This survey is extremely important for remote locations where Coast Guard units have the only COLA-eligible footprint in the area (i.e. where there is no DoD presence).

Jan. 6, 2021

2021 Continental U.S. (CONUS) Living Pattern Survey now Online

This ALCOAST announces the 2021 CONUS LPS and strongly urges all CONUS-assigned active duty members and their dependents participate in it. This is an opportunity for the CONUS military community at-large to participate in the Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) process and positively affect future rates.

Jan. 1, 2021

Please Complete the 2021 Continental U.S. (CONUS) Living Pattern Survey

Members: Help DoD set the new COLA rates for all services

Dec. 23, 2020

2021 Continental U.S. (CONUS) Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Rates

CONUS COLA Calculator UPDATED: 12/22/2020 with the rates for 2021.

Dec. 9, 2020

2021 Adjustments to Retired/Retainer Pay, Survivor Annuities and Premiums

The following Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are effective December 1, 2020, based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) through the third quarter calendar year 2020. The term "retired pay" includes retainer pay and the term "members" includes former members. COLAs for Retired Pay

Jan. 9, 2020

Policy Guidance for COLA, TLA, OHA and BAH Moved

JTR Chapters 8-10 (CONUS-COLA, OCONUS-COLA & TLA, BAH & OHA, respectively,) have been transferred to DoD FMR Vol. 7A (Active Duty & Reserve P&A) as Chapters 26 (BAH & OHA), 67 (CONUS-COLA), & 68 (OCONUS-COLA & TLA) effective 26 DEC 2019

Dec. 31, 2019

2020 Continental United States (CONUS) Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Locations

CONUS COLA is a taxable supplemental allowance designed to help offset higher prices in the highest cost locations in CONUS that exceed the costs in an average CONUS location by 8 percent or more. The program affects approximately 20,000 Service members in 16 Military Housing Areas (MHAs) and 31 other counties in CONUS.