Update November 11, 2023
Your voice is crucial! November 21, 2023, marks Organization Day at the legislature, gearing up for the upcoming 2024 short session. We're reaching out to enlist your support in making a difference. Between November 21st and December 15th, we urge you to email your legislators, expressing the need for a pension enhancement in 2024. Our goal is to inundate our legislators with a wave of professional and respectful emails that emphasize the importance of this issue.
The preferred method of contact is through email, although a handwritten note can further amplify our message. If you choose to email your request, please follow the examples below:
- Senators: [Last Name]@iga.in.gov (e.g., Senator.Bray@iga.in.gov)
- Representatives: h[District Number]@iga.in.gov (e.g., h28@iga.in.gov for Rep. Jeff Thompson)
You can also find your legislator easily by visiting Find your Legislators. Additionally, you can send a handwritten note to the legislators at the following mailing address:
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Thank you for being an essential part of our advocacy efforts. Your involvement can make a significant impact on securing a pension enhancement in 2024.
Update October 25, 2023
Retired Educators Spoke, and Legislators Listened
We are thrilled to share some fantastic news that underscores the power of our collective voice and determination. On October 24th, a monumental step was taken on behalf of Indiana's retired educators, and we couldn't be more excited to bring you the latest updates.
The Pension Management Oversight Committee, an interim legislative study committee, unanimously voted in favor of supporting future pension enhancements. What does this mean for you, our valued retirees?
a. Annual Thirteenth Check: The committee proposes the introduction of an annual thirteenth check. This benefit, funded from supplemental reserve accounts, would be granted to eligible members who retire before a specific date (to be determined).
b. Annual COLA: The committee recommendation is the introduction of an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This benefit, funded from supplemental reserve accounts, would be granted to eligible members who retire after a specific date (to be determined).
The Road Ahead: What to Expect:
While the promise of these enhancements is cause for celebration, we must navigate the path to realization:
Short-Term Progress: It's highly likely that retired teachers will receive their eagerly awaited thirteenth check as early as 2024. This is a significant step forward.
Preparing for 2025: The details surrounding the permanent thirteenth check and COLA are set to be developed over the next year, with a planned introduction during the 2025 legislative session.
Our Executive Director, Laura Penman, and IRTA Lobbyist, Steve Beebe, have been instrumental in shaping these recommendations. Thanks to the support of Committee Chair Senator Brian Buchanan, Laura was one of the few individuals given the privilege to testify during the committee meeting. Her insights and advocacy have been invaluable.
Please remember that PMOC recommendations don't become law until they are approved by the legislature. The "short session" in 2024 is when we'll see the next crucial steps.
While yesterday's achievements marked a remarkable milestone, there's still work to be done to ensure the recommendations are embraced in their entirety. Details will need to be worked out, but IRTA has been assured that we will have a prominent seat at the table when the final details are decided and solidified.
We extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support. Your continued membership and dedication play a vital role in amplifying our collective voice and achieving these remarkable advancements for retired educators in Indiana.
Stay tuned for more updates on our journey toward these transformative enhancements. Together, we are making a real difference!