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Pennsylvania State Senate
10/10/2024 08:04 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=37281
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: April 28, 2022 02:55 PM
From: Senator Mike Regan
To: All Senate members
Subject: Retired PA State Troopers COLA
 
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States, has been serving the Commonwealth since the legislature called for its establishment in 1905.  The men and women who have donned the PSP uniform over the years are deserving of recognition and appreciation, including by way of a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA).
 
There are currently more than 5400 retired troopers.  A little over 200 of them retired prior to 1990 and another 1600 retired prior to 2000.  Unfortunately, the last COLA for troopers was authorized in 2002.
 
Of particular concern are individuals that began their career in the early 1950s – before many of us were even born – and who retired in the 1980s.  Some of them are receiving monthly pension benefits that have them living slightly above poverty. This is unacceptable, especially when we consider that these men and women have risked their lives to keep us safe.
 
Also, these selfless individuals are living on a small pension when inflation is at an all-time high in the last 40 years, and the cumulative price increase is 50% higher today than it was 20 years ago.  Add to this, that troopers are prohibited from contributing to and in turn, drawing from, Social Security.
 
Therefore, I plan to introduce legislation to provide a tiered annuity increase based on retirement date for troopers who retired prior to June 30, 2010.  This is to ensure that older retirees, who are most in need of such assistance, receive a larger increase in their monthly payment while still providing an increase to younger retirees.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation recognizing the service of our retired Pennsylvania State Police Troopers.



Introduced as SB1251


Memo Updated: April 28, 2022 02:56 PM