Us Code § 4066 - Cost-of-living adjustment of annuities

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 4066 — Cost-of-living adjustment of annuities, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 4066. Cost-of-living adjustment of annuities

(a) Effective date

A cost-of-living annuity increase shall become effective under this section on the effective date of each such increase under section 8340(b) of title 5. Each such increase shall be applied to each annuity payable from the Fund under this part which has a commencing date not later than the effective date of the increase.

(b) Applicability of increases under other provisions of law

Each annuity increase under this section shall be identical to the corresponding percentage increase under section 8340(b) of title 5.

(c) Eligibility for increases

Eligibility for an annuity increase under this section shall be governed by the commencing date of each annuity payable from the Fund under this part as of the effective date of an increase except as follows:

(1) The first increase (if any) made under this section to an annuity which is payable from the Fund to a participant or to the surviving spouse or former spouse of a deceased participant who died in service or a deceased annuitant whose annuity was not increased under this section, shall be equal to the product (adjusted to the nearest 1/10 of 1 percent) of—

(A) 1/12 of the applicable percent change computed under subsection (b) of this section, multiplied by

(B) the number of months (counting any portion of a month as a month)—

(i) for which the annuity was payable from the Fund before the effective date of the increase, or

(ii) in the case of a surviving spouse or former spouse of a deceased annuitant whose annuity has not been so increased, since the annuity was first payable to the deceased annuitant.


(2) Effective from its commencing date, an annuity payable from the Fund under this part to the survivor of an annuitant, except a child entitled to an annuity under section 4046(c) of this title or section 4049(c) or (d) of this title, shall be increased by the total percentage increase the annuitant was receiving under this section at death.

(3) For purposes of computing or recomputing an annuity to a child under section 4046(c) or (d) of this title or section 4049(c) or (d) of this title, the items $900, $1,080, $2,700, and $3,240 appearing in section 4046(c) of this title shall be increased by the total percentage increases by which corresponding amounts are being increased under section 8340 of title 5 on the date the annuity of the child becomes effective.

(d) Exclusion of additional annuity purchased after retirement by voluntary contribution

No increase in annuity provided by this section shall be computed on any additional annuity purchased at retirement by voluntary contributions.

(e) Rounding off of amount; minimum increases

The monthly installment of annuity after adjustment under this section shall be rounded to the next lowest dollar, except such installment shall after adjustment reflect an increase of at least $1.

(f) Rate of increase for surviving spouses of annuitants electing reduced annuity

Effective from its commencing date, there shall be an increase of 10 percent in the annuity of each surviving spouse whose entitlement to annuity resulted from the death of an annuitant who, prior to October 1, 1976, elected a reduced annuity in order to provide a spouse's survivor annuity.

(g) Maximum annuity

(1) An annuity shall not be increased by reason of any adjustment under this section to an amount which exceeds the greater of—

(A) the maximum pay rate payable for class FS–1 under section 3963 of this title, 30 days before the effective date of the adjustment under this section; or

(B) the final pay (or average pay, if higher) of the former participant with respect to whom the annuity is paid, increased by the overall annual average percentage adjustments (compounded) in rates of pay of the Foreign Service Schedule under such section 3963 of this title during the period—

(i) beginning on the date the annuity commenced (or, in the case of a survivor of the retired participant, the date the participant's annuity commenced), and

(ii) ending on the effective date of the adjustment under this section.


(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, "pay" means the rate of salary or basic pay as payable under any provision of law, including any provision of law limiting the expenditure of appropriated funds.

(Pub. L. 96–465, title I, §826, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2123; Ex. Ord. No. 12289, §1, Feb. 14, 1981, 46 F.R. 12693; Ex. Ord. No. 12446, §§2(a), 6(a), Oct. 17, 1983, 48 F.R. 48443, 48446; Pub. L. 99–335, title IV, §402(a)(3), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 609; Pub. L. 100–238, title II, §219, Jan. 8, 1988, 101 Stat. 1775.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1988—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 100–238 amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "The first increase (if any) made under this section to an annuity which is payable from the Fund under this part to a participant or to the surviving spouse of a deceased participant who dies in service shall be equal to the product (adjusted to the nearest 1/10 of 1 percent) of—

"(a) 1/6 of the applicable percent change determined under subsection (b) of this section, multiplied by

"(b) the number of full months for which the annuity was payable from the Fund under this part before the effective date of the increase (counting any portion of a month as a full month).

In the administration of this paragraph, the number of days of unused sick leave to the credit of a participant or deceased participant on the effective date of the then last preceding general annuity increase under this section shall be deemed to be equal to the number of days of unused sick leave to his or her credit on the day of separation from the Service."

1986—Subsecs. (a), (c). Pub. L. 99–335 inserted "under this part" after "payable from the Fund" wherever appearing.

1983—Subsec. (e). Ex. Ord. No. 12446, §2(a), substituted "rounded to the next lowest" for "fixed at the nearest".

Subsec. (g). Ex. Ord. No. 12446, §6(a), added subsec. (g).

1981—Subsec. (c)(1). Ex. Ord. No. 12289 amended first sentence of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as follows: "An annuity (except a deferred annuity) payable from the Fund to a participant who retires and receives an immediate annuity, or to a surviving spouse or former spouse of a deceased participant who dies in service or who dies after being separated with benefits under section 4009(b)(2) of this title, which has a commencing date after the effective date of the then last preceding general annuity increase under this section shall not be less than the annuity which would have been payable if the commencing date of such annuity had been the effective date of such last preceding increase."


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–238 effective 90 days after Jan. 8, 1988, see section 261(a) of Pub. L. 100–238, set out as a note under section 4054 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–335 effective Jan. 1, 1987, see section 702(a) of Pub. L. 99–335, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8401 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by section 2(a) Ex. Ord. No. 12446 effective with respect to any adjustment or redetermination of any annuity made on or after Oct. 17, 1983, see section 2(b) of Ex. Ord. No. 12446, set out under section 4067 of this title.

Amendment by section 6 of Ex. Ord. No. 12446 applicable to any adjustment occurring on or after Apr. 1, 1983 under this section to any annuity payable from the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund, whether such annuity has a commencing date before, on, or after Oct. 17, 1983, but shall not cause any annuity to be reduced below the rate that is payable on Oct. 17, 1983, see section 6(b) of Ex. Ord. No. 12446, set out under section 4067 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Ex. Ord. No. 12289 effective Feb. 15, 1981, see section 3 of Ex. Ord. No. 12289, set out under section 4067 of this title.

Delay in Cost-of-Living Adjustments During Fiscal Years 1994, 1995, and 1996

Any cost-of-living increase scheduled to take effect during fiscal year 1994, 1995, or 1996 under this section delayed until first day of third calendar month after date such increase would otherwise take effect, see section 11001 of Pub. L. 103–66, set out as a note under section 8340 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

About This Section

22 U.S.C. § 4066 is part of Title 22 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 22 U.S.C. § 4066. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 4066

What does United States Code § 4066 cover?

Section 4066 ("Cost-of-living adjustment of annuities") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 4066?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 4066" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 4066 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.