PSEA is a community of education professionals who make a difference in the lives of students every day.
Right now, there are nearly 43,000 retired educators and support professionals who haven’t seen a COLA in 20 years. These dedicated people spent their careers in PA’s schools and classrooms. On average, they are 83 years old, and their pensions are less than $20,000.
Just as important, they retired before Act 9 was passed in 2001, legislation that increased the pension multiplier for active members. As a result, the 40,000 retirees in this class have smaller pensions.
Because they haven’t had a COLA since 2002, their real buying power has declined by 40 percent.
This is why passing legislation to authorize a COLA for pre-Act 9 retirees is so important, and that’s why PSEA has made it a top priority.
Are you a retiree? Did you retire before 2001? If you’re a retired educator or support professional, YOUR VOICE is the most powerful and most persuasive tool we have to convince lawmakers to pass a pre-Act 9 COLA. Volunteer to join the movement.
"Many [Pre-Act 9 retirees] retired at much lower salaries. Some of them chose not to take Social Security. They need our help. Their pension does not cover the food, the medicines, their utilities."
“So many retirees really, really need a COLA. Every year that they don’t get one, their lives get harder, and their money doesn’t go as far. I’m very glad that PSEA recognizes how important this is. PSEA-Retired members are going to work as hard as we possibly can to help get this done.”
“So many of our retired teachers retired 20, 30 years ago and have not had a cost-of-living increase in their pension. Some of them are living on $9,000 a year. When I started in '78, my salary was $9,000, which means that theirs was probably $15,000. So they're getting a pension based on $15,000, and Social Security based on $15,000. So they are living on very, very little, and they really need help in the situation with the cost-of-living. It's crucial that our legislators give our pre-Act 9 retired educators a cost of living increase.”
In November 2023, the PA House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation providing for a much-needed cost-of-living adjustment for educators and support staff who retired before 2001.
Now we need to make this a top priority in the FY 2024-25 state budget. Getting this into the state budget is the best – and the fastest - way to get a COLA for pre-Act 9 retirees.
Contact your state senator, state representative, and Gov. Shapiro today and ask them to support a COLA for pre-Act 9 retirees in the FY 2024-25 state budget.
