"On average, public retirement plans whose members are ineligible for Social Security offer higher COLAs (2.5%) than plans that allow members to participate in Social Security (1.8%).... As inflation increases, members not participating in Social Security who receive a typical COLA or no COLA will lose net purchasing power and likely fall behind public sector employees who participate in Social Security. These plans may find retirees struggling to keep up with rising costs, especially during years of high inflation[.]"  MORE >>