Here is the latest statement from PASR from their website. They are constantly working for us!
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Legislative/COLA News
As of this writing there is still not a budget for the state of Pennsylvania so our COLA bill is
still hanging. Here is the latest on PASR’s website.
Update 8/1/25:
We wanted to provide you with a quick update on our COLA efforts. As of our last communication
on July 14th, there has been no change in the legislative status. The House has advanced
the COLA discussion, and we are now waiting for the Senate to take the next step forward.
While this is encouraging progress, please remember that nothing is guaranteed; the outcome
is now in the Senate’s hands. PASR encourages you to continue the outreach to your
local Senators. Your efforts are making a difference. Keep making noise, we are being
heard.
How you can help:
1. If you haven’t done so already, please complete the message here:
https://www.pasr.org/legislative-form/?id=14
2. Ask family, friends, fellow retirees, and neighbors to do the same. Every Voice Matters.
3. Continue thanking legislators who have shown support for the COLA.
https://www.pasr.org/legislative-form/?id=13
To our PASR members: Thank you. You make this work possible—thank you for standing with us.
We truly couldn’t have come this far without you.
If you’re not yet a PASR member, we invite you to join us. Your participation helps strengthen
our mission. https://www.pasr.org/membership/application/
PASR is the only organization that advocates solely for retired public school employees
— all PSERS annuitants.
Thank you for standing with us, and with each other. PASR will continue to advocate for
fairness and dignity for our retirees.
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An Op-Ed From Our Executive Director (7/29/25):
As state lawmakers approach the end of Pennsylvania’s fiscal year and slowly inch closer to
a deal on the annual budget, tens of thousands of retired school employees await their fate
on a long overdue cost-of-living adjustment.
For more than two decades, seniors – most of whom are in their 80s – who dedicated their
lives to their communities and the education of students throughout the state have waited for
lawmakers to act on a COLA. While many others have been rewarded with retirement and
salary adjustments to combat inflation, those who retired in before 2001 – known as the Pre-
Act 9 retirees – have been left behind.
But will this year finally be different? Will lawmakers and Governor Shapiro do what’s needed
for these retired public servants?
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We have seen progress in recent years, but to no avail. Earlier this spring, the state House of
Representatives passed another bill supporting a COLA. House Bill 411 (formerly HB 1416)
sponsored by Rep. Steve Malagari passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. This is the
third time in the past two legislative sessions that the state House has passed legislation giving
a cost-of-living adjustment to Pre-Act 9 retirees.
And while proposals have stalled in the state Senate in the past due to concerns over costs,
we now have a proposal in that chamber that not only enacts the COLA but offers a payment
plan as well.
Senator Frank Farry took the lead on this effort and introduced Senate Bill 721. Now, with a
strong contingent of bipartisan senate colleagues joining Farry on the plan, it’s clear there is
significant support in that chamber as well.
Inflation has grown by more than 75 percent since the last COLA. The average retiree impacted
by the proposal receives an annual benefit of $20,000 or less. That’s simply not enough to
keep up with today’s rising costs.
There is no reason that these dedicated public servants should have to wait for another budget.
A COLA would not only provide financial relief but also send a powerful message of gratitude
to those who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of our education system that affects
every member of the General Assembly and the people they represent.
All those who advocate for this COLA know budget decisions come with challenges. Crafting
a spending plan to support the 13 million people of Pennsylvania is never easy. But neither is
living on a 2002 income in a 2025 economy, and that needs to be considered.
We know the state House members support this effort. It appears a significant segment of
the state Senate does as well. If Governor Shapiro can add this to his agenda supporting
Pennsylvania seniors and public servants, then we can finally give these people the support
they need and deserve.
The pieces are in place to finally get this done. The opportunity for advancement is here.
And on behalf of the 30,000-plus seniors represented by the Pennsylvania Association of
School Retirees, we are imploring those at the negotiation table this year to make the COLA
an essential component of the new state budget.
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Update 6/26/25:
Thank you all for the extraordinary outreach you’ve already done—your voices have brought us this far in the fight for a much-needed COLA for our retirees. Your efforts are being heard! Now is the perfect time to double down.
Both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature are back in session this week, and we want to make sure they’re hearing from us.
We’re asking you to do two quick but important things:
1. Send the updated message to your legislators, asking them to support SB 721 (CLICK HERE to read SB 721).
We’ve crafted two versions of the message—please choose the one that best fits you:
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If you are a Pre-Act 9 retiree, use this version that shares your personal stake in the issue. CLICK HERE
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If you are a post-Act 9 retiree, an active member, or believe in the cause, use this version that supports your fellow retirees and emphasizes the broader impact on the profession and the state. CLICK HERE
2. Send a thank-you email to legislators who co-sponsored the COLA bill.
We’ve also prepared a thank-you message to acknowledge and encourage the Senators who are already standing with us. Gratitude goes a long way in building support! CLICK HERE
This final stretch is critical. Your voice still matters. Please take a few minutes to send your emails and remind legislators that now is the time to act.
Spring 2025 COLA UPDATE from PASR
Efforts to promote lawmakers to adopt a COLA for pre-Act 9 beneficiaries continue in Harrisburg. House members Rep. Steven Malagari and Rep. Dan Deasy have again introduced legislation to support retired school employees. The bill – House Bill 411 –is now in the House State Government Committee awaiting consideration. The legislation mirrors the proposal led by these two lawmakers last session, which passed the state House twice with significant bipartisan support. As we all know, no action was taken in the state Senate. PASR and its lobbying team at Triad Strategies are continuing to work with lawmakers to advance this bill. These efforts are also being supported by groups like PSEA and AFSCME. All parties continue to stress the imperative nature of the COLA. With inflation continuing to rise, pre-Act 9 PSERS beneficiaries are seeing the values of their pensions decline with each passing day. PASR and Triad are actively working on a new “fact sheet” for advocacy distribution to lawmakers to help encourage their support. That material will be made available in the near future. Outreach efforts on the COLA are continuing in the state Senate, especially with members who have outwardly expressed their support of the concept. Sen. Katie Muth and Sen. John Kane have again issued legislative co-sponsor memos with plans to introduce COLA bills similar to those they sponsored last session. It will remain imperative for PASR members and retirees to reach out to their local elected officials and advocate for advancement of the COLA plan(s). Two decades are far too long to wait for this support. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the PASR team. We are here to help and continue the momentum we generated on this matter last session.
Sincerely,
Kristen Holjes, PASR Executive Director
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THANK YOU for all of your efforts thus far and for your continued willingness to act to secure a COLA!!
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