COLA Effort Updates

Update 8/1/25:

We wanted to provide you with a quick update on our COLA efforts. As of our last communication on July 14^th, 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 retiree

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?

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.

Update 7/14/25:

We are encouraged that Governor Shapiro has prioritized seniors in several areas, such as prescription affordability and property tax rebates. Still, retirees like ours have not yet received full support for a COLA. That must change.

The House has already acted by passing HB 411 with bipartisan support. Senator Farry’s SB 721 offers a fiscally responsible solution, indexing modest COLAs to Pre-Act 9 retirees. These proposals represent less than 0.002% of the state budget — a minimal cost for a major impact.

The state budget is still being finalized, and this could be our last, best chance to push for a meaningful cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Every voice could make the difference in ensuring our legislators understand just how essential COLA is for our retirees. We’re asking everyone to join us in reaching out right now. The more they hear from us, the stronger our message becomes.

How you can help:

1. Email your Senators, please use this link to send a message: https://www.pasr.org/legislative-form/?id=14
2. Ask everyone you know to email their legislators. (Feel free to share this page!)
3. Continue to thank your legislators who are in support of the COLA. Gratitude goes a long way in building support! https://www.pasr.org/legislative-form/?id=13

We’ve come this far together. Let’s finish strong.

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:

• If you are a Pre-Act 9 retiree, use this version that shares your personal stake in the issue. CLICK HERE
• 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.

If not now, when?

 

Update 5/22/25:

We are asking our members and supporters to contact their state Senators to make two requests:

1) Sign on to the Farry Bill, which would use the interest from the Rainy Day Fund to pay for the COLA; and

2) Advocate that Senate Leaders include the COLA as part of budget negotiations.

It’s important to remember to remain cordial and respectful with and in these conversations/requests.

Every Voice Matters.

If you’re willing to support our efforts, please use this link to send a message: https://www.pasr.org/legislative-form/?id=10

Here are the primary bills: You can read more about them and their progress by clicking on them individually.

• SB 563 (Sen Muth) — 10-20% COLA for pre-Act 9
• SB 564 (Sen Muth) — 15-24.5% COLA for pre-Act9
  • Both are COLA proposals at varied rates.
    • SB 564 is the same as the House Bill that has passed several times, including this year in the House as HB  411
• HB 408 (Deasy) — 10-20% COLA for pre-Act 9
• HB 411 (Malagari) — 15-24.5% COLA for pre-Act9 – passed in the House (update 4/11/25) below
• Farry Proposal (COLA with Payment)
  • The Farry bill continues to get attention, and it is building a list of cosponsors.

As always, PASR is determined to get this very long-overdue COLA passed for our members. Our lobbyists are meeting with coalition partners and the House Democrats next few weeks to talk about how to help advance this in the Senate during budget discussions.

 

Update 5/14/25:

Senator Farry has circulated his COLA legislation co-sponsorship memo SCO 46557, which includes a payment mechanism for interest earnings from the State Rainy Day Fund. Five additional Senate Republicans joined Farry: Baker, Robinson, Bartolotta, Pennycuick, and Brown.

We will have more updates soon!

 

Update 4/11/25:

We are excited to share some good news. HB411 passed the PA House with a vote of 131-72!

This step forward wouldn’t have been possible without your outreach and dedication. By contacting your representatives, you help amplify the voices of over 60,000 retirees in Pennsylvania who have waited more than two decades for a COLA.

You can see how your representative voted here: https://www.palegis.us/house/roll-calls/summary?sessYr=2025&sessInd=0&rcNum=116&sort=party

If your representative voted Yes, please consider sending them a quick thank-you note. Let them know you appreciate their support of retired public servants, this will truly make a difference and reinforce the importance of their vote.

If you are willing to support these efforts, please go to: https://www.pasr.org/legislative-form/?id=8 

Now, we turn our focus to the Senate, where the bill needs support to move forward. We encourage you to send a message to your State Senator and urge them to support HB411 as passed by the House, especially Senate Republicans whose House members in the same district voted in favor of the bill.

Every voice matters. Together, we can advocate for fairness and dignity for those who dedicated their careers to serving Pennsylvania.

 

Update 3/24/25:

“I live by two words: tenacity and gratitude.” – Henry Winkler

In the face of falling short of your goal, it is easy to lose your drive and your appreciation for the issue and people who have supported you along the way. This group has been advocating for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retired school employees for quite some time and the frustration and disappointment in its lack of enactment is understandable. But, we must remember the milestones we reached in pursuit of our goal.

It is important to note that in the 2023-2024 legislative session, PASR, and its COLA allies, advocated for and received support for the issue with the passage of HB 1416 (vote of 140- 63)  in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in November 2023. It was also prioritized in state budget negotiations this past June and passed again by the House as an amendment to HB 1379 (vote of 135-67) in October 2024.

Although we are very disappointed that the issue did not cross the finish line during the last legislative session, it advanced as a priority issue and moved further than it had ever before. For this, we must express gratitude to our bill sponsors (Rep. Malagari, Rep. Deasy, Senator Muth and Senator Kane), our supporters, and vocal advocates.

However, our work is not done.

The 2025-2026 legislative session officially began on January 7, and work has commenced to advance the COLA issue once again. Representatives Malagari and Deasy reintroduced their legislation in the House of Representatives. The bills, HB 411 (Malagari) and HB 408 (Deasy,) were passed via party line vote in the House State Government Committee on March 17.

It is important to note that the House currently stands at 101-101 due to the tragic passing of Rep. Matt Gergely. A special election to replace Rep. Gergely is scheduled for March 25, so no action on legislation is anticipated before that date.

We have also had positive conversations in the Pennsylvania State Senate. The COLA legislation stalled in this chamber last session. Many legislators voiced their support for a COLA and recognized the need and commitment to our retired school employees, but the challenge was identifying a funding mechanism that is both available and sustainable. We have made progress in these discussions and are continuing to provide suggestions to legislators and their staff on potential sources of revenue.

While we are working hard inside the walls of the Capitol, it is imperative to continue our drumbeat of support from our members. Your legislators need to continue hearing from you, their constituents, that they must take action now on a cost-of-living increase for retired school employees. So, please remain tenacious in communicating with legislators about the need for and your support of COLA legislation.

We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of our efforts. Please continue to share any feedback you receive from legislators with PASR staff. We remain committed to this issue not only for our pre-Act 9 annuitants, but our entire membership. This remains an important first step to addressing cost-of-living adjustments for all retired school employees.

Thank you for all your efforts to support the passage of COLA legislation, and please remain grateful and tenacious in this fight!

 

Update 12/16/24:

PASR’s top priority is securing a COLA for all PSERS annuitants and we will continue to advocate for that in 2025! Over the past year, the PA General Assembly, unfortunately, was not receptive to a COLA for all, but they did express an openness to adopting a COLA for pre Act 9 annuitants. We had high hopes that this openness would result in legislation getting passed, but the Senate refused to vote on the bill.

PASR continues to believe that if a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) legislation could receive a vote on the full floor of the Senate, the COLA bill would pass as it did in the House of Representatives. Consequently, we will continue to fight for a COLA. It seems unlikely that any action will be taken in the lame duck session of the General Assembly, so we will need to reintroduce legislation in 2025, and that is exactly what PASR plans do!

After the PA Senate decided not to include a COLA in the budget, PASR participated in a press conference in October to promote a COLA. We were joined in the rotunda by 40 PA Representatives and 7 Senators, several of which gave speeches supporting a COLA. PASR members in attendance then visited the offices of dozens of legislators to urge them to support a COLA. We do believe that we made some progress in persuading some reluctant legislators to support a COLA. Specifically, several legislators expressed increased support for a COLA under the PASR proposal to use interest from the $6 billion “rainy day” fund to pay for the COLA. Consequently, our efforts to use this funding mechanism may have more support in 2025 than it did in 2024.

One other reason for hope has also arisen in the closing days of this legislative session. Representative Malagari amended his own legislation (HB 1379) to include a COLA for PSERS and SERS annuitants. HB 1379 would provide a one time payment to municipal pension systems to help provide a COLA to some retired firefighters and police officers. Representative Malagari sponsored HB 1379 and then secured a vote to amend it to include the language from HB 1416 which would provide a COLA to pre Act 9 PSERS and SERS annuitants. It is the hope of PASR that this joining of the request for a COLA may yield some votes in favor of a COLA since some legislators have favored  giving funds to municipalities to provide a COLA for firefighters and police officers. As such, tying these two causes together may help to solidify a majority that favors passing both COLA proposals.

PASR is, of course, more than disappointed and frustrated that a COLA was not secured this year, but PASR also wants to highlight that we did meet with some success. No bills had ever even been voted out of committee in either chamber of the General Assembly over the past 21 years, yet our legislation, HB 1416, was passed out of committee and out of the full House of Representatives. Moreover, HB 1416 was seriously considered in the budget negotiations this year. Indeed, the need for a COLA was even highlighted on NBC nightly news national broadcast. PASR has formed stronger relationships with legislators and made legislators much more aware of the need for a COLA. Furthermore, PASR’s partners such as PSEA, AFSCME, SEIU, and many other organizations are fully aligned with our efforts to secure a COLA. In other words, we start 2025 in a strong position to continue to fight on your behalf.

The most important portion of our efforts has been our members voicing their concerns to their legislators! We heard from legislators that they heard from our members and it is your messages to these legislators that pushed open many doors for PASR to be able to meet with legislators, to secure sponsors for the legislation, and to build a coalition to continue to support a COLA. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU PASR members for all of your efforts and for your support!! With your continued support, we hope to announce that a COLA has been secured in 2025!

 

Update 10/8/24:

PASR continues to fight to get a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for PSERS annuitants, along with SERS and annuitants and other retired government workers. We are expecting the PA House to pass HB 1379, which would provide a COLA for these groups.

HB 1379 provides a COLA to retired firefighters and state police officers. Representative Malagari sponsored this bill and sponsored an amendment that would provide a COLA to PSERS and SERS annuitants, as has been described in the previously passed HB 1416 that got stuck in the Senate.

Our hope is that there will be more support for HB 1379, especially in the Senate, since it includes police and firefighters, but we are asking that you contact your elected officials to help persuade them to pass this bill and send it to Governor Shapiro. We are making this effort in conjunction with our many coalition partners, which include retired firefighters, retired state police, PSEA, AFSCME, SEIU, PARSE, and others. It is our hope that this growing coalition may be able to garner the support of enough Senators to make this bill a law!

 

Update 10/4/24:

PASR participated in a press conference and lobbying day at the PA Capitol, along with several other advocacy groups, yesterday to urge legislators to pass a COLA for PSERS and SERS annuitants. Among those speaking at the event was our Executive Director, Kristen Holjes. Kristen was joined by multiple speakers, along with 40 PA state Representatives and 7 state Senators that either spoke or showed to stand in solidarity with us!

We want to especially recognize Senator Katie Muth and Representative Steven Malagari who introduced the COLA legislation into their respective chambers, along with cosponsors Senator Kane and Representative Deasy. Senator Bartolotta and Senator Farry, Republicans, also deserve recognition for particpating since it has been Senate Republicans that have refused to enact COLA legislation. Moreover, Senator Vincent Hughes gave a rousing speech, along with PSERS annuitant Robert McVay who conveyed the pain of many retired educators that are struggling financially.

The speakers yesterday included: EmCee – PSEA President Aaron Chapin; Sen Hughes- Minority Appropriations Chair; Rep Malagari – Sponsor of Robert McVay, retired educator and pre-Act9 annuitant; AFSCME Speaker-Jeanne Weaver, President, Pennsylvania AFSCME Retiree Chapter 13; SEIU 668 Speaker – Patti Defibaugh, Chair, SEIU 668 Retiree Committee; PASR Speaker – Kristen Holjes, Executive Director, PA Association of School Retirees; PARSE  Speaker -Tom Judge, President, PA Association of Retired State Employees.

Many PASR members joined us for the press conference and then spent a few hours visiting the offices of their elected officials to urge them to support HB 1416. PASR would like to thank these members for sacrificing the time and energy to make their way to Harrisburg to make their voices heard!

A brief article describing these efforts and where the COLA bill stands can be found here: https://penncapital-star.com/education/pa-teachers-who-retired-before-pension-plans-were-boosted-seek-cost-of-living-increase/

 

Update 7/11/24:

The PA General Assembly seems to have reached a budget deal, and the deal does not include a COLA. PASR is disappointed, to say the least, but the fight is not yet over!

After receiving bipartisan support in the PA House, PASR was hopeful at the prospect of a COLA being included in the budget, especially since many in the Senate expressed support and stated that they recognized the need for a COLA. In the end, the Senate refused to include a COLA in the budget deal because of concerns about the cost of a COLA. PASR believes that this concern is not worthy of depriving annuitants of a long overdue COLA because the cost of the COLA would have added less than one half of one percent to the unfunded liability present in the PSERS system–a negligible amount, especially in comparison to the positive impact this COLA would have had on many annuitants’ dire financial status.

PASR continues to believe that if a COLA could receive a vote on the full floor of the Senate, the COLA bill would pass. Consequently, we will continue to fight for a COLA. We believe that there will be opportunities to get a COLA passed this fall. We will need our members to contact their legislators. Please stay tuned for more details and please, please, please prepare to let your legislators know that you are displeased with their refusal to pass a COLA. PASR will be contacting you with a message that you can send to your legislators as the process continues to unfold; again, the fight isn’t over and an opportunity will exist this fall to get a COLA passed.

As you vote this November, please keep in mind how your legislators voted on this issue; we need more legislators that are supportive of a COLA to be elected if we are going to be able to secure a COLA for everyone and a COLA that is significant enough provide financial security for annuitants. PASR will send an email in the future asking you to take such action, so please check your email and be ready to express your opinion to your legislators.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”- Thomas A. Edison

The PA House votes on HB 1416. Please consult this list to see if your Representative voted in favor of a COLA: those in green voted for a COLA, and those in red voted against a COLA.

The PA Senate never voted on HB 1416, as the Senate leadership decided not to put it on the floor alone or as part of the budget.

VOTES ON HB 1416 65.9 KB

THANK YOU for all of your efforts thus far and for your continued willingness to act to secure a COLA!!

Update 6/6/24:

PASR is continuing to have discussions with PA legislators about a Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for PSERS and SERS annuitants in 2024, and a growing number of legislators are expressing support for HB 1416 thanks to your communications with your legislators!

We, and our coalition partners, are making progress in talks with the PA Senate leadership and legislators that are crucial to the budget process. It is our goal to get a COLA enacted as part of the budget process or the legislation that is passed after the budget to enact the budget (called code bills).  The budget is supposed to be completed by the end of June, so we need to ensure that a COLA is top of mind for each and every legislator and the leaders of the budget process! We continue to be cautiously optimistic that a COLA, in the form of HB 1416, will be enacted this year. PASR NEEDS YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS GOAL A REALITY!!

Please send your PA Senator, PA Representative, and other Legislative leaders a message (link to a message is below) urging them to not forget about retirees that have been ravaged by inflation yet have not received an increase in their pensions in over two decades!

Your message will be sent to: Your state Senator & your state Representative (based upon your address); Joe Pittman (Republican Majority Leader of the Senate); Scott Martin (Republican Senator and Chair of the Appropriations Committee); Kim Ward (Republican Senator and President Pro Tempore); Vincent Hughes (Democratic Senator and Minority Chair of the Appropriations Committee); Jay Costa (Democratic Senator and Minority Leader); and Cris Dush (Republican Senator and Chair of the State Government Committee)

You can edit the body of the message below to include any personal information about your need for a COLA or to otherwise make the message more personalized.

You will not, however, be able to edit the salutation, as that will be automatically filled in when you submit your letter and it will automatically be sent to your Senator and key leaders in the PA budget process.

How to locate and contact your State elected officials:

PASR humbly requests that everyone join our efforts to make our voices heard! Please reach out individually and coordinate with local groups to enhance your efforts.

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/

If you do not know who currently represents you, your address will identify that person.

Once you locate your state rep – here are the various ways to contact them:

1. Phone call to the legislator’s local office.
2. Phone call to the legislator’s Harrisburg office.
3. Personal visit to legislator’s local office.
4. Email or write a letter.
5. Communicate with them on their social media accounts such as Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).
6. Write editorials for your local news sources.

 

For “Talking Points” to use in your communications, please reach out to our office at 717-697-7077 or [email protected]. We have a list of themes for you to use. Pick one that is comfortable for you, or you can use a basic suggested message.

When Communicating with Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

1. Please do not be overly “aggressive” or demanding in asking for support for a COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment). Being respectful is a better methodology.
2. Please mention that we (PASR) recognize the challenges that lawmakers/elected officials have each year when it comes time to pass the state budget. We understand that this is not a simple or easy request, and it will cost money.
3. Please highlight your personal situation and need for a COLA in light of the 75% inflation since 2000 that has gobbled up your purchasing power.
4. Others have seen increases since 2002, but not public school retirees who so richly deserve to be able to live a dignified retirement.

 

The positive economic impact on Pennsylvania of pension payments made to retired state workers and more evidence that a COLA for PSERS annuitants would benefit everyone, if only we could get the General Assembly to listen! Please visit https://www.nirsonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/pensionomics2021_pa.pdf for more information.

As part of PASR’s continuing effort to get our members a COLA and provide current and relevant information, this page is designated to do just that.  Below you will find links to important recent news articles that may affect the process of receiving a COLA.