Hirono questions defense official on COLA reduction
2 weeks ago
Service members stationed in Hawaii, home of the country’s highest cost of living, are facing a 50% reduction in their cost-of-living allowance and at a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee meeting on Thursday, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, demanded to know why.
What You Need To Know
Military personnel stationed in Hawaii and other posts outside the continental United States receive an Overseas Cost of Living Allowance to offset higher prices for goods and services
The scheduled reduction of the overseas cost-of-living allowance by up to 50% could cost service members hundreds of dollars per month depending on pay grade, years of service, number of dependents and other factors
Under Secretary of Defense Personnel and Readiness Gil Cisneros said that while inflation is not factored in the calculation for OCOLA, the cut reflects a narrower difference in cost of living between Hawaii and other states
