Q and A for federal workers: Raises vs. COLAs

Question: I read that President Trump wants to give federal employees a 1.9 percent COLA. I also read that the COLA number won’t be decided until the fall. What gives?

Answer: President Trump’s recent budget proposal recommends a 1.9 percent raise for federal employees in January 2018. Note the word “raise.” Current employees get pay raises. Retirees get COLAs, or cost of living adjustment.