You’ll soon have a little less money in your wallet because of falling post allowance and cost-of-living allowance rates.
The decreases are attributed to the dollar gaining value against the euro.
Overseas COLA is provided to servicemembers outside the United States to help with buying goods and services on the economy.
Post allowance is the cost-of-living allowance given to American civilians in some overseas areas.
On Friday, COLA rates went down in Belgium, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, according to a Defense Department Web site. In several localities throughout Germany, the COLA for an E-5 with four years’ service and three dependents drops from $389 a pay period to $353 a pay period.
The post allowance changes are based on currency exchange rate information reported to the State Department’s Office of Allowances as of Jan. 8, according to the State Department’s Web site.
The post allowance, paid to U.S. civilians working overseas, did not change in the United Kingdom, however it fell in Belgium and Italy.
For nearly all locations in Germany, post allowance fell Sunday from 42 percent to 35 percent.
If you’re single, making between $28,000 and $29,999 a year and working in Germany, you’ll get about $90 less each month.
In Vicenza, Italy, those making between $39,000 and $41,999 with three dependents will see $165 less a month.
