Two AFSCME Retiree chapters recently won cost-of-living improvements to their retirement plans, bringing much-needed relief as retirees face an affordability crisis.
Earlier this month, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill that clarifies how cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are calculated for retirees in the State Retirement and Pension System. Specifically, it defines which Consumer Price Index measure should be used to ensure consistency in determining annual pension increases.
This comes after members of Maryland AFSCME Retirees Chapter 1 mobilized.
Shandala Richburg, the president of AFSCME Retiree Chapter 1, testified in front of a state Senate committee in support of the measure.
“The men and women I represent spent decades serving the people of Maryland,” Richburg said. “They helped make sure our communities were safe, that vulnerable people were cared for, and that our transportation network was functioning.”
“In retirement, we need a cost-of-living adjustment that keeps pace with the real cost of living,” she added.
The “real cost of living” Richburg was referring to includes rising prices on everything from housing to child care to health care and more.
Also this month, in Washington state, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill that provided a one-time 3% COLA, thanks to the activism of AFSCME Retired Public Employees of Washington Chapter 10 members.
“This is a hard-earned victory for Plan 1 retirees across Washington,” said Retired Public Employees Council (RPEC) President Clair Olivers, who added that they are not done fighting.
“[But] it is only short-term relief for Plan 1 retirees, as they still face a 44% loss of purchasing power since losing their permanent COLA in 2011,” Olivers added. “Our fight to restore a permanent COLA is not over. This moment, however, shows the power of collective action, and it sends a clear message that retirees will continue to fight for the security and respect they deserve.”
Collective action is what AFSCME retirees are all about. From fighting for retirement security to holding anti-worker lawmakers accountable, AFSCME retirees are constantly mobilizing and fighting back.