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Retiree groups urge Plan 1 ongoing and interim ad‑hoc COLAs during public comment
Summary
Retiree organizations asked the Select Committee to develop a pathway for an ongoing, CPI‑based COLA (up to 3%) for Plan 1 beneficiaries and to authorize an annual ad‑hoc 3% COLA until an ongoing COLA can be implemented. Speakers emphasized lost purchasing power and asked to participate in drafting options.
Representatives of retiree organizations used the public‑comment period to press the committee for cost‑of‑living adjustments for Plan 1 retirees.
Derek Vanspoor (Retired Public Employees Council), Ann Chenal (Washington State School Retirees Association), and Leanne Prelip (Washington Education Association Retired) presented a joint proposal asking the Select Committee to develop a viable pathway for an ongoing, CPI‑based COLA similar to the PERS plan‑2 COLA, capped at up to 3% with inflation banking. They also asked the committee to pursue interim, annual ad‑hoc 3% COLAs until a permanent COLA is enacted and requested that retiree organizations have a seat at the table during any legislative drafting.
Vanspoor said Plan‑1 members have lost significant purchasing power since the uniform COLA repeal in 2011 and emphasized the relatively small average pensions of affected retirees. Roy Orlando (vice chair, Washington State Council of Firefighters Retiree Association) gave an overview of LEOFF‑1 disability boards, warned that local boards differ in practice and cautioned against hasty centralization of medical‑benefit administration, and noted there were roughly 82 identified LEOFF‑1 boards with considerable variation. Fred Yancey (speaking for FERS retirees) urged the committee to consider repurposing excess LEOFF‑1 funds for Plan‑1 COLAs and highlighted the demographics and low average pensions of Plan‑1 beneficiaries.
Chair Conway acknowledged the committee’s ongoing commitment to exploring COLA options but cautioned that state budget constraints make any permanent COLA challenging; the committee welcomed continued engagement and said it would consider testimony as part of future work.
