Retiree cost-of-living adjustment and pension administration
Summary
The pension fund took a roughly $48 million hit in March but rebounded in April, now up about $15 million for the year at about $1.129 billion.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
A $48 million one-month loss followed by an April rebound of roughly $15 million year to date.
All county retirees and employees whose pensions depend on fund performance.
Retirees continuing to absorb inflation losses if no adjustment is made.
Mentions & discussions (8)
Retirement Board - Oct 21, 2026
County retirees haven't had a pension increase since 2020 and are asking for a $300 flat monthly boost. The board says a 2015 state law only allows the full CPI-based COLA, which it can't afford without a big tax increase, and the fix is stuck in the state Senate.
Retirement Board - Sep 16, 2026
County retirees have gone six years with no COLA while inflation cut their pension's buying power by roughly a quarter. They want the board to request an actuarial study under Act 96; the chair says the fund isn't affordable for a COLA and the fix lies with state legislators, particularly Senator Farry.
County Commissioners - Sep 2, 2026
Retired county employees pushed back on going paperless for pension stubs and asked why no COLA has been given in nearly 18 years. Staff explained a 2015 state law now limits COLAs to the actual cost-of-living figure, making increases unaffordable, and said they're lobbying to change it.
Retirement Board - Aug 19, 2026
The pension fund sits at about $1.17 billion — slightly down in July but up 6.82% for the year. A healthy fund is what makes any future benefit improvements possible.
Retirement Board - Jul 15, 2026
Retired county employees say they've gone years without a cost-of-living adjustment because a 2015 state law change ties their hands. Senate Bill 754 would give counties self-determination to grant COLAs. Retirees are asking the board to lobby state legislators and the Senate Local Government Committee chair.
Retirement Board - Jun 17, 2026
County retirees haven't had a COLA since January 2020, and inflation has cut their pension purchasing power by roughly 30%. Retirees want the board to push state legislators to amend the County Pension Law to give counties flexibility to grant a COLA.
Retirement Board - May 21, 2026
County pensioners haven't had a COLA in six and a half years, and rising costs are hitting them hard. The board says it can't act until state law changes, so retirees are being urged to push Harrisburg.
Retirement Board - Apr 15, 2026
The pension fund took a roughly $48 million hit in March but rebounded in April, now up about $15 million for the year at about $1.129 billion.
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