PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s been more than two decades since some state retirees and teachers have seen a cost-of-living adjustment in their pensions. Two bills advancing in the Pennsylvania House would change that, but they face some stiff opposition.
The cost-of-living adjustments would apply to state employees and teachers who retired before Act 9 of 2001, which changed the state pension benefits packages to the benefit of current employees but didn’t address current retirees.
“This distinction of a percentage increase isn’t a whole lot of money for each one of those teachers. It’s to recognize all the teachers that are pre-Act 9. They’re in that scenario who gave their all to our children and have sat there without a COLA for over 20 years,” said Montgomery County Democrat Joe Webster, a supporter of the bill who noted how much more expensive everyday life is now compared to 20 years ago…