Retirement board approves 3% COLA for April 1 benefit checks

The Mendocino County Board of Retirement approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for plan beneficiaries, effective April 1, 2026 and payable on the April benefit check.

Executive Director Doris Richler said the actuary’s annual COLA letter indicated inflation at 2.9% and that the board’s procedure rounds to the nearest half-percent, producing the 3% increase. A trustee moved to approve the COLA and another trustee seconded. The board conducted a roll-call vote and each trustee present voted "Aye." The clerk announced "Motion approved."

The approval was a formal action of the board; there were no recorded dissenting votes.

The board then moved on to the consent agenda and later to investment matters.

Next steps: staff will implement the COLA to be reflected on April benefit checks as described by staff.