AFSCME members win first cost-of-living increase in 20 years for 60,000 PA retirees
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania state employees who retired before 2001 are getting cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) they haven’t received in years, which will help them weather the current affordability crisis.
And that’s thanks to working and retired members of AFSCME Council 13, who fought for the COLAs to be included in Pennsylvania’s most recent budget.
The COLAs range from 15%-24.5%, depending on the date when each beneficiary retired. It’s the first pension increase for this 60,000-strong group of retirees in more than 20 years, and a significant step in helping them keep up with rising costs of housing, health care, groceries and other necessities.
“Our retirees devoted their careers to serving the people of Pennsylvania, and for far too long they were asked to shoulder the burden of rising costs without any adjustment to their pensions,” said Jeanne Weaver, president of the Retired Public Employees of Pennsylvania Chapter 13.
“This victory has been years in the making. While it should have happened much sooner, we are grateful that lawmakers finally recognized the need to provide relief to the men and women who spent their working lives serving this commonwealth,” Weaver said after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the fiscal year 2026-27 budget on July 12.
“This COLA won’t erase more than two decades without an increase, but it is an important and long-overdue step forward,” Weaver said, adding that AFSCME members will keep fighting for more.
The COLA victory is a testament to the power of AFSCME members coming together to advocate for investments that support workers, retirees and the services that the public depends on.
Members of AFSCME Council 13 who work in K-12 and higher education also applauded the latest budget’s investments in public education, including $78 million for Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education debt relief. “Passing a budget on time gives school districts the certainty they need to plan for the year ahead, and that’s good news for students, workers and communities,” said Brian Brocato, president of AFSCME Local 279, which represents workers at Pittsburgh Public Schools. “As federal cuts begin putting additional pressure on state and local budgets, Pennsylvania must continue investing in public education, worker safety and the dedicated employees who keep our schools running. We can’t afford to fall behind when our students and communities are counting on us.”
