Each July 1, starting with the calendar year after your retirement date, your pension increases by 2.5% (membership dates before July 1, 2012) or 1.5% (membership dates after June 30, 2012) of your original monthly pension. The increase is not compounded and has no ceiling (2.5% of the original allowance the first year, 5% the second, 7.5% the third, and so on). Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 8 and p. 10, D. Post Retirement Increases
Applies to all types of retirements (service, disability or death). ERS annual report 2024 p. 15 and p. 20, Post Retirement Benefit
The Retirement Information handouts give 1.5% for 'membership dates after June 30, 2012'; the Retirees FAQ and Holomua say 'on or after July 1, 2012'. These mean the same day boundary.
Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 8; ERS Retirees FAQ pageOur example: $2,000 a month from July 1, 2033
The first increase is July 1, 2034. Retiring on December 31 of the same year gives the same first date: July 1, 2034.
| From | Joined before July 2012 (2.5%) | Joined after June 2012 (1.5%) |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2034 | $2,050 +2.5% | $2,030 +1.5% |
| July 1, 2035 | $2,100 +5% | $2,060 +3% |
| July 1, 2036 | $2,150 +7.5% | $2,090 +4.5% |
| July 1, 2037 | $2,200 +10% | $2,120 +6% |
| July 1, 2038 | $2,250 +12.5% | $2,150 +7.5% |
| July 1, 2039 | $2,300 +15% | $2,180 +9% |
| July 1, 2040 | $2,350 +17.5% | $2,210 +10.5% |
| July 1, 2041 | $2,400 +20% | $2,240 +12% |
| July 1, 2042 | $2,450 +22.5% | $2,270 +13.5% |
| July 1, 2043 | $2,500 +25% | $2,300 +15% |
From our calculator, which adds each year's percentage of the original $2,000. Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 8 and p. 10, D. Post Retirement Increases
From the sources
- Each July 1 your pension rises by 2.5% (membership before July 1, 2012) or 1.5% (membership after June 30, 2012) of your original pension. Increases start in the calendar year after you retire.Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 10
- The increase is not compounded and has no ceiling: 2.5% of the original pension the first year, 5% the second, 7.5% the third, and so on.ERS annual report 2024 p. 15
Questions
How much is the yearly increase?
2.5% of your original pension if you joined before July 1, 2012, or 1.5% if you joined after June 30, 2012.
When is the first one?
July 1 of the calendar year after your retirement date. Retire July 1, 2033 or on December 31 that year: the first increase is July 1, 2034.
Is it compounded?
No. Each increase is figured on your original pension: 2.5% the first year, 5% the second, 7.5% the third, and so on. There's no cap.
Does it depend on inflation?
No. The sources give a fixed percentage, not one tied to prices.
Source: Hawaii ERS Hybrid Retirement Information, October 2026, pp. 8, 10. Also: ERS annual report 2024 pp. 15, 20; ERS Retirees FAQ page. Last reviewed .