All Roll Calls
Yes: 178 • No: 0
MarylandHB 11382026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
State Retirement and Pension System – Cost–of–Living Adjustments – Clarification
Sponsored By: Catherine M. Forbes (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Pensions and RetirementConsumer Price IndexEmergency BillsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Retirement -see also- Mandatory RetirementSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyState Employees
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
How retiree COLAs are calculated
The Board of Trustees computes your yearly COLA using the annual average CPI-U for each calendar year. It subtracts the earlier year’s CPI from the later year’s, then divides by the earlier year’s CPI. The COLA rate is capped by your plan’s COLA limit. On July 1, the dollar increase is applied as compound or simple, depending on your plan. The law defines the CPI series to use and the “cost-of-living rate” used in this math. These rules take effect April 14, 2026.
Pension allowance paid monthly for life
The law clarifies that a State Retirement and Pension “allowance” is paid in equal monthly amounts for your lifetime. You may choose an optional payment form if your plan allows it. This rule takes effect April 14, 2026.
Special CPI rule for 2026-2027 COLAs
For COLAs that take effect on July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027, the law sets a special October 2025 CPI value. It equals the average of the September 2025 and November 2025 monthly CPI-U. Administrators use this value when computing the 2025 CPI used in the COLA rate. This rule takes effect April 14, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Catherine M. Forbes
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/8/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 2
House vote • 3/11/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 135 • No: 0 • Other: 4
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 56
4/14/2026Returned Passed
4/8/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (43-0)
4/8/2026SenateFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/1/2026SenateFavorable Report by Budget and Taxation
4/1/2026SenateReferred Budget and Taxation
3/12/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (135-0)
3/11/2026HouseSecond Reading Passed
3/10/2026HouseFavorable Adopted
3/10/2026HouseFavorable Report by Appropriations
3/10/2026HouseHearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m.
2/17/2026HouseFirst Reading Appropriations
2/11/2026House
Bill Text
Enacted
4/14/2026
Third Reading
3/10/2026
First Reading
2/11/2026
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