In the near future, we will reintroduce several bills that would provide a much-needed and long-overdue cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Pennsylvania’s retired school employees and our retired state workers. This approach will give the legislature several options to finally deliver a COLA to retired teachers, school employees, and government workers across our Commonwealth who worked their entire lives and contributed so much to our communities.

This bill, introduced last session as House Bill 1416 and Senate Bill 952, would provide supplemental annuities, or COLAs, to approximately 69,000 retirees in PSERS and SERS who retired prior to July 2, 2001. These retirees, often referred to as Pre-Act 9 retirees, have not received an increase in their pension payments in more than 20 years. Under this bill, the supplemental annuity would range from an increase of 15% to 24.5% depending on the date of retirement. Our bill also clearly indicates in Title 24 (Education) that the annuity increases prescribed by this law must be paid for by Commonwealth funds and not by school districts.

House Bill 1416 passed by the House by a 140-63 vote in November of 2023. It was then referred to the Senate State Government Committee where it remained for over a year without any action. Our Senate Bill 952 was referred to the Senate Finance Committee and was never brought up for a vote by the Majority Party.

Everyone deserves to live and to retire with dignity and financial security and it is time that our legislature stands up for our retirees.

Please join us in cosponsoring this important legislation.