No COLA increase for 2016

The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Oct. 15 that the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which is the measure of increases or decreases in the cost of living, was lower than last year. This means there will be no COLA increases in 2016 for those receiving military retired pay, VA payments, Social Security benefits and federal government civilian pensions. The drop in the CPI was largely attributed to a 23 percent drop in gas prices. There was no COLA in 2010 or 2011 because of an insufficient increase in CPI, and some market analysts believe that 2016 may also yield no increase.

Border Jobs for Veterans Act signed into law

On Oct. 16, President Barack Obama signed Public Law (P.L.) 114-68, the Border Jobs for Veterans Act. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division to “actively recruit” military veterans who are separating from service. The legislation is needed, according to the bill, because an “estimated 250,000 to 300,000 members of the armed forces separate from military service every year.” At the same time, CBP is seeking officers to help perform its mission, including meeting the congressionally-funded staffing target of 23,775 officers for fiscal year 2015.
Department of Homeland Sec. Jeh Johnson said the hiring shortfall is associated with applicant background investigations, low polygraph clearance rates, and a shortage of federal polygraph examiners, and is combined with CBP officers leaving the agency.

The Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015 will:

- Direct DHS to identify with the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Occupational Specialty Codes, Air Force Specialty Codes, Naval Enlisted Classifications and Officer Designators, and Coast Guard Competencies, that are transferable to the requirements and duties assigned to CBP officers, and to consider hiring qualified candidates who are eligible for veterans recruitment appointment.

- Direct DHS and DoD to establish a program to actively recruit servicemembers who are separating from service to serve as CBP officers. This program will include provision of CBP officer opportunities in relevant job assistance efforts under the Transition Assistance Program; place CBP officials, or other relevant DHS officials, at recruiting events and jobs fairs involving separating servicemembers; provide opportunities for local CBP field offices to partner with military bases; conduct educational outreach to qualified servicemembers to CBP officer requirements; work cooperatively to identify shared activities and opportunities for reciprocity related to steps in hiring CBP officers with the goal of minimizing the time required to hire qualified applicants; work cooperatively to ensure the streamlined interagency transfer of relevant background investigations and security clearances; and ensure separating servicemembers are aware of opportunities to fill CBP officer vacancies.