DeLaney reacts to task force pension discussion: “We must consider the budget we put our pensioners on”

Today, Sept. 29, members of the Interim State and Local Tax Review Task Force were briefed on pension benefits for state employees and employer contributions to their pensions. Questions arose about the size and adequacy of our state employee pensions.  

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement following the committee meeting:

“The adequacy of our pensions is of great importance for our state employees and retirees. It deserves to be looked into further, and I say it is time for the legislature to follow through and continue this conversation. 

“Indiana ranks low compared to other states in terms of pension benefits for state employees. It seems clear that state contributions are inadequate. We focus heavily on the state budget, but we must also consider the budget we put our pension recipients on. An inadequate pension is not just an abstract shortcoming but hinders the ability of real-life retirees to live day-to-day and affects our ability to hire.

“Our method for adjusting pensions to inflation is limited if existent at all. For retirees and the many employees who do not spend their whole career working for the State of Indiana, the system doesn’t work well. 

“We owe it to every state employee and retiree to look into these processes to ensure no one who worked their entire adult life is getting left behind.”