Computation of Cost-of-Living Allowances for Uniformed Personnel Could Be More Accurate
FPCD-82-8
Published: Feb 25, 1982. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 1982.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the methodology used to compute cost-of-living allowances (COLA's) for federal personnel because there were concerns about its appropriateness.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
---|---|---|
Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should use procedures which insure consistent use of price data in the cost-of-living allowance computations. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should use weighted sale prices to reflect the proportion of purchases made at sale and regular prices. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should discontinue the practice of adjusting cost-of-living allowances in Alaska to reimburse uniformed personnel for special environmental factors. If a transfer allowance is considered necessary, DOD should propose legislation for such an allowance. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should use a scientific sampling system to make living pattern surveys and direct field offices to use the results of living pattern surveys as a basis for selecting outlets for the price surveys. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should revise the price collection schedule to minimize the timelag between base area and cost-of-living allowance area price surveys. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should adopt a spendable income table based on the most recent consumer expenditure survey. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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Topics
CompensationCost of livingData integrityAllowancesForeign exchange ratesMilitary personnelPrice indexesPricing surveysCost-of-living allowancesSurveys