5 CFR 591.206
§ 591.206 How does OPM establish COLA areas?
United States · 5 CFR — Administrative Personnel · Status: effective
Cite this
- Citation
- 5 CFR 591.206, § 591.206 How does OPM establish COLA areas?, United States, version 1 as recorded 2026-07-09, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/7141
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Full text
(a) OPM designates, within nonforeign areas, areas where agencies pay employees a COLA by virtue of living costs that are substantially higher than those in the Washington, DC, area. In establishing the boundaries of COLA areas, OPM considers—
(1) The existence of a well-defined economic community,
(2) The availability of consumer goods and services,
(3) The concentration of Federal employees covered by this subpart, and
(4) Unique circumstances related to a specific location.
(b) If a department or agency wants OPM to consider establishing or revising the definition of a COLA area, the head of the department or agency or his or her designee must submit a request in writing to OPM.
Legislative history
This is a federal regulation, adopted through agency rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act — not enacted by a recorded vote of Congress.