House Republicans block 13th check proposal for retired teachers, state employees

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), Ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, today offered a proposal to provide a 13th check for retired teachers and state employees.

Amendment #2 to House Bill 1260 would have provided a $250 payment in 2022 to the Teachers' Retirement Fund (TRF) and PERF members.

The 2021 enacted state budget provided a one-percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to retired teachers and state employees in lieu of a “13th check,” which is a one-time, post-retirement payment based on an individual's number of years vested in their retirement plan. A decade ago, Indiana leaders provided both a 13th check and a COLA that was usually over 2% to invest in the retirees that invested in the state.

“It's disappointing to see the supermajority once again place a rainy day fund over the everyday needs of hardworking Hoosiers,” Porter said.

“To put it into perspective: with a one percent COLA, a retiree who worked for 15 years would receive only $2.60 more in their monthly benefit. That's an insult to the service of our retired teachers and state workers.

“$5 billion is currently sitting in our surplus, gathering dust, with even more expected in the coming year. The least this body can do is show our retired Hoosiers the respect they deserve and pay them what they are owed.”

The amendment was ruled out of order and therefore not granted a vote.