2008 Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) and More

[admin]

2008 Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA)



As a servicemember, you can expect to be stationed virtually anywhere in the country. During your career, you are likely to be assigned to a variety of low-, moderate- and high-cost locations. Although private sector pay scales tend to reflect local living costs in U.S. locations, military pay tables do not. To make up for this imbalance, you are eligible to receive a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) if you are stationed in certain "high-cost" locations in the continental United States (CONUS).

• Do you qualify for COLA?
• Learn important details about your COLA
• Calculate your 2008 COLA rate
• Search by Zip Code
• Overseas "OCONUS" COLA
• COLA FAQs

COLA Eligibility

You qualify for COLA under any of these conditions:

• You are assigned to a high-cost area in the continental United States (CONUS). As of this writing, there are 52 such locations (military housing areas, or MHAs) in the U.S.
• You are assigned to an unaccompanied tour of duty outside the continental United States if the primary dependent of the member resides in a high cost area in the continental United States.
• It is determined that your primary dependent must reside in a high cost area in the continental United States due to your duty location or other circumstances.

Important details

• CONUS COLA is based on the zip code of your duty station, not your home address.
• CONUS COLA is a taxable allowance; an amount is added to cover an average income tax rate
• COLA is computed separately for members with and without dependents.
• New for 2008 - the tables extend out to 40 years time in service.

Active Duty Pay

• 2007 Active Duty Pay Charts
• 2008 Proposed Pay Charts
• Special Pays
• Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
• Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
• Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
• Military Pay Basics

Benefits Updates

Week of December 17, 2007

• $40,000 Bonus for Select Recruits
• BAH to Increase an Average of 7.3%
• Free Phone Cards for the Holidays
• TRICARE Guaranteed for Beneficiaries
• Tax Tips for Servicemembers

See All

• <LI class=category>Benefits Home <LI class=category>Burial and Memorial <LI class=category>Education <LI class=category>Insurance <LI class=category>Legal Matters <LI class=category>Life Insurance <LI class=category>Military Pay
  • 2007 Pay Charts
  • COLA
  • Drill Pay
  • Guard Pay
  • Pay Explained
  • Reserve Pay
  • Retired Pay
  • Special Pay
  <LI class=category>Resources <LI class=category>Space "A" Travel <LI class=category>Survivor Benefits <LI class=category>TRICARE <LI class=category>VA Home Loans <LI class=category>Veteran Benefits <LI class=category>Veteran Health Care
• Veteran State Benefits