According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians benefit from the Property Tax/Rental Rebate (PTRR) Program every year. As we navigate persistent inflation, expanding eligibility for this program is essential to further assist our civil servants. This expansion would include individuals under the two state retirement systems: the State Employee Retirement System (SERS) and the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS).

State employees receiving a pension for their employment in Pennsylvania have worked hard by providing an invaluable service to our Commonwealth. We owe them our appreciation for their commitment to serve Pennsylvanians up until their retirement with the state. Modifying the PTRR Program to expand eligibility would greatly benefit retired employees of the state who have been without a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for decades.

For these reasons, I am planning to introduce legislation that will expand the PTRR program to further support our retired teachers, public servants, and state police of the Commonwealth. My legislation will modify the income eligibility calculation to exempt a portion of their state pension from being counted as income. This would allow for a greater number of Pennsylvanians to receive benefits that assist them and their families throughout their retirement.

Please join me on co-sponsoring this crucial piece of legislation that will help us to give back to our retired employees of the Commonwealth.