House passes legislation to provide COLAs to retired public servants
Rep. Dan Deasy April 9, 2025 | 3:24 PM
HARRISBURG, April 9 – State Rep. Dan Deasy, D-Allegheny, announced today that the House has passed legislation he co-authored that would provide cost-of-living adjustments to a small group of retired public school teachers and state employees.
House Bill 411, co-prime sponsored with state Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery, would deliver an increase in retirement payments for dedicated public servants, many of whom are in their 80s and 90s, for the first time in 23 years.
“These are former teachers who taught our kids, PennDOT workers who answered the call to keep roadways safe, human services workers who helped those in need – they’ve served our communities, and they’ve waited too long for a COLA increase,” Deasy said. “They are a small group of individuals who were not included in the new COLA formula, but they are largely in their 80s and 90s. Many can barely afford to pay for food or needed prescriptions and, after all they have done for the commonwealth, it is unconscionable that we would not do right by them and provide this increase so they can pay for necessities like groceries.”
Deasy added that since passage of the bill last fall, 10,000 retirees have passed away.
“It is inconceivable that we would wait any longer to pass this legislation.”
Deasy said that COLAs have typically represented an understanding between the state and these employees, indicating that their pensions would be periodically increased in exchange for receiving lower pay during their working lives compared to similarly qualified professionals in other fields.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
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