Moseley stands up for public retirees, votes for recommendation to require 13th check, annual COLA

Today, members of the Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight voted on a draft report that includes the recommendation that Indiana provide an annual 13th check or annual COLA to certain members of the public employees’ retirement fund, Indiana state teachers’ retirement fund, legislators’ defined benefit plan and EG&C plan.

State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage), a member on the committee, voted in favor of the recommendations and issued the following statement following the meeting: 

“I strongly support any legislation that would guarantee public retirees a 13th check or cost-of-living adjustment. Retirees have worked their entire adult lives and paid taxes that benefit the state and their communities. 

“If we want Indiana to truly be a state that works, we must prioritize the well-being and dignity of both our current workers and our retirees. Many retirees face a significant set of unique challenges – from prescription costs to rising property taxes – and rely on the 13th check to make ends meet. 

“A friendly reminder to my fellow legislators in the Indiana House and the Indiana Senate: Pension benefits to state employees are not a gift from the state, but a promise made by the state for their future security. We need to be mindful of the fact that these benefits were earned by our employees through hard work and dedication to their jobs and their workplace. Our goal should always be promises made, promises kept.”