Support HB411 - Restore Fairness for Forgotten Retirees

Urge the State Senators to support HB 411.

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Send the following Message:

Dear [elected official],
I am writing to you today regarding a very important issue.

I’m writing to respectfully urge your support for House Bill 411 (HB411), which recently passed the House with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 131-72.

HB411 provides a long-overdue cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for over 60,000 Pre-Act 9 PSERS annuitants, many of whom have gone more than two decades without any increase to their pensions. These retirees, who served our schools and Commonwealth with dedication, are now struggling under the weight of rising costs:
- Food prices are up 88%
- Housing costs have risen 85%
- Medical expenses have jumped 111%

Since the last COLA in 2002, inflation has steadily eroded the purchasing power of these retirees’ fixed incomes. Meanwhile, benefits for active PSERS and SERS members were increased by 25% in 2001 through Act 9—leaving pre-Act 9 retirees behind. These pre-Act 9 retirees find themselves caught in a policy gap: too early to benefit from the Act 9 multiplier and too late to receive any further COLAs. As a result, they face a financial reality that no public servant should endure. Many now live on pensions averaging under $20,000 per year, with some in their 80s and 90s, struggling to cover basic needs.

HB411 is a fiscally responsible measure that brings much-needed relief to thousands of older Pennsylvanians without negatively impacting the pension funds or requiring increased taxpayer contributions. The House has shown clear, bipartisan agreement on this issue—now it's time for the Senate to act.

Please support HB411 as it was passed by the House. It’s time to honor the promise made to our public servants and help ensure their retirement years are lived with dignity.

Thank you for your consideration.

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