|
|
 Germany
offers a variety of landscapes from the coast in the north to the
Bavarian Alps in the south. The country boasts a multitude of
historical towns and cities, romantic castles, and excellent
museums. The tourism infrastructure is well developed and most
of the people speak English. |
|
Our Favorite
Germany Vacation Destinations |
|
US MILITARY TIPS
US Air Force |
US Army |
US
Navy | US Marine Corps
Berlin | Heidelberg |
Frankfurt | Munich | Stuttgart
PCSing or going on TDY to Germany?
Use this page as
your guide!
CONUS COLA
|
Military Finance is always confusing,
and this is especially true when moving overseas. Read our
Military Finance Tips and Essential Information to ensure to find out
more about your Military Money Matters. Armed with this
knowledge, you can protect your interests and ensure that you get
everything that you are entitled to.
You can find out how much CONUS COLA you are authorized at your specific duty station by visiting
the
COLA Rate
Webpage.
COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE
The Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) was authorized in the FY 1995
National Defense Authorization Act to address non-housing costs of
living for servicemembers.
The fundamental goal of CONUS COLA is to compensate servicemembers for
the high cost of living at certain duty stations within the
Continental United States (for Overseas COLA information and rates,
visit our OCONUS COLA Webpage). COLA rates are
based on a servicemember's pay grade, years of service, and number of
dependents.
An area is considered high cost if the cost of living for that area
exceeds 108% of that national average of non-housing costs. COLA
takes into account the availability of commissary, exchange, and
hospital facilities at a specific duty station, because servicemembers
without this infrastructure tend to have a higher cost of living.
However, not having this infrastructure is not enough in an of itself
to qualify an area for COLA. COLA also factors in local taxes,
including taxes on such things as Privately Owned Vehicles for a
specific duty location in calculating the cost of living in a
particular area..
CONUS COLA rates are updated once a year, and changes go into effect
January 1 of each year. At that time, an area's COLA may
increase or even decrease, based on the changes in the cost of living
in the area.
TAXATION OF CONUS COLA
CONUS COLA, unlike Overseas COLA is taxed. To offset these
taxes, CONUS COLA rates incorporate an 18% increase to cover the
average income tax.
GEOGRAPHICALLY SEPARATED FAMILIES
In cases where a servicemember is geographically separeated from his
family, he will be paid (or not paid) COLA based on his permanent duty
station zip code.
CONUS COLA may be based on the residence of the member's primary
dependent only if the member is serving an unaccompanied tour outside
CONUS, or if a service secretary (ie Secretary of the Army) determines
that it would be best if the dependent resides at a separate location
(applies to such cases as where a family member must reside in a
particular location to receive proper medical treatment).
In addition, when a servicemember is stationed outside of CONUS and
his family remains in CONUS, he is authorized CONUS COLA for his
dependents in addition to his Overseas COLA.
RESERVISTS AND COLA
Reservists recalled to active duty are not entitled to CONUS COLA
for the first 139 days of their recall unless the recall is in support
of a contingency operation.
FIELD DUTY/TDY AND TERMINAL LEAVE
CONUS COLA remains in effect, without change, during all periods
of TDY, including periods of field duty. In addition, CONUS COLA
is paid during terminal leave.
|
|
DAMAGED
SHIPMENT?
SEE OUR GUIDE TO
CLAIMS FOR LOSS/DAMAGE TO HOUSEHOLD GOODS/BAGGAGE |
|
|
Heidelberg
PRAGUE
CASTLE