Klinker recognizes teachers need support, supportive of recommendations to require annual 13th check, annual COLA

Yesterday, the Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight recommended that Indiana provide an annual 13th check or annual COLA to certain members of the public employees’ retirement fund.  Since 1991, fixed income retirees have received these benefits. Both COLA and a 13th check were omitted from the 2023- 2024 budget process. 

State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) released the following statement in support of the committee’s recommendations: 

“Teachers deserve an annual 13th check or cost-of-living adjustment. They’ve devoted their lives to public service in one of the most important ways – educating our children. When our retired educators lost their 13th check, I was shocked. Many public retirees, not just teachers, rely on these adjustments to survive.

“Each person has a teacher that touched their lives.  They’re usually young children’s first supporters beyond their parents. We’re losing people in our industry. If you ask a young person to be an educator, they’ll say no because of the low pay and limited support. I taught for over three decades, and I became a legislator to fight for teachers. I’m overjoyed that the committee recommended the annual 13th check or COLA legislation. This is something that is greatly needed, and I strongly support any legislation that benefits public retirees.”