Is Harrisburg waiting for teachers to die off?

A fellow teacher, who retired prior to 2001, asked me if “they” are just waiting for us to die off? He was referring to the state legislature and their hesitation (after 22 years) to pass a cost of living adjustment for teachers who retired at that time. Initially I was skeptical of his question, but most of we retired teachers are currently in our 80s, so perhaps my friend had a valid point.

Unlike teachers, legislature members have the luxury of receiving an automatic cost of living adjustment every year. Since a teacher COLA would come from the Retirement Fund, which is very healthy, and not from additional taxation, I can’t understand why they have refused to pass one. For over 30 years, I was required to place a percentage of my salary into the retirement fund; I had no option to place money into stocks or real estate. The retirement fund is not an entitlement that taxpayers must subsidize for retired teachers. So why do COLA bills languish in the Senate?

Inflation and the increasing cost of the state’s Health Options Program (HOP) medical insurance has deeply eroded my retirementfunds in over 22 years.

It is way past time for the Senate to provide the COLA to us. I hope the Senate recognizes their ethical and moral responsibility to aid retired workers in need, who suffer inflation as much as anyone else. Just because we’re old, doesn’t mean we don’t deserve and need a raise. (I already have a part time job to make ends meet - perhaps I should again offer my services as a teacher since there is a shortage in PA.)

I urge the Senate to vote on and pass House Bill 1416 before many more of us pass away — and not keep it languishing in “no man’s land” again.

JOHN TABIS

Indiana Township