Icemen can take part in a survey to increase COLA

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Eric Morin
  • 354th Comptroller Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Military members assigned overseas are given a cost of living allowance to offset the increased expense of living at their location.

This allowance is adjusted every three years based on changes in the consumer price index (CPI) and living pattern survey completed by military members.

The CPI measures the cost of everyday goods and services for a locality and is measured independently of the living pattern survey. This information indicates to the per diem committee how expensive it is to live in a specific area.

The living pattern survey is used to determine how many of these goods and services are purchased and the percentage purchased on base versus off base.

The per diem committee then compiles the data, compares it with data from the lower 48, and computes the COLA rate. Whether or not Fairbanks COLA will increase, decrease, or stay the same is dependent on the data provided in this survey as well as changing economic conditions in Fairbanks, as well as the lower 48.

To be eligible to take the survey, members must have at least three months time on station. Service members who reside in the dormitory are ineligible to take the survey.

The survey is available online at http://www.perdiem.osd.mil/oscola/lps/alaska through Aug. 31. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and does not require you to have any special information ready before starting.

Members are encouraged to take the survey at home with their dependents. Including your entire family will ensure you don't miss occasions where you may shop off base. Even small purchases should not be forgotten, for example, be sure to include rare trips to stores off base even if you primarily shop at the commissary.

The survey measures whether or not you shop on the local economy so leaving anything out could negatively impact our COLA. Remember that whether your COLA increases or decreases depends on your completion of this survey and where you shop.