Retired Public Employees Council of WA Working to protect and enhance the pension and health care benefits of Washington retired state, county and local government employees
RPEC Weekly ACTION Newsletter – 3-15-2019
In This Edition
- ACTION Alert – Plan 1 COLA and PEBB Medicare Benefit
- WA State Legislative Bill Summary
- 2019 WA Legislative Town Halls
- DRS Plans 2 & 3 COLA’s for 2019
- White House Budget Proposes Nearly $2.5 Trillion in Cuts to Medicare, Medicaid & Social Security
ACTION Alert – Plan 1 COLA and PEBB Medicare Benefit
The House and Senate budget negotiators are working on their proposed budgets so it is vital that retirees keep our issues in front of them. Our voices are being heard!
Please continue to contact your legislators and ask them to include the 3% COLA for Plan 1 members and the PEBB Medicare Benefit at $200 or more per month, in the House or Senate budget proposals. Be sure to include your personal story about how a lack of a COLA or increases in premiums have impacted you.
You may reach your legislators by calling: 1-800-562-6000
WA State Legislative Bill Summary
Below are the bills we are tracking as they move through the legislative process. Full Text and updates on these bills can be found by searching for the bill number at: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/
Here is a link to the list of bills currently of focus to RPEC: http://www.rpecwa.org/bill-summary-3-15-2019/
2019 WA Legislative Town Halls
Many state legislators will return home over the next few weeks and host local town halls. This is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with your legislator and discuss the issues that are important to you and your retirement security!
Not all legislators are listed as of today’s report and many still have their meetings listed as “To Be Determined.” If your legislator is one of these, please reach out to their offices and inquire as to when they might be holding a town hall in your area.
The list of current scheduled meetings is available on our website: http://www.rpecwa.org/2019-legislative-town-halls/
Here is a link to the list if you wish to download it: http://rpecwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019_WA_Legislative_Town_Halls.pdf
DRS Plans 2 & 3 COLA’s for 2019
From DRS – Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) have been set for 2019. COLAs will take effect July 1, 2019 and will be reflected in end-of-July benefit payments.
The tables below show the 2019 COLA percentages based on your retirement date and plan. (Looking for COLAS from the previous year? See the 2018 COLA percentages table.)
Most COLAs are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for the greater Seattle area. For more information about COLAs, annual increases and minimum benefits, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
| COLAS FOR PERS, SERS AND TRS PLANS 2 AND 3, PSERS PLAN 2, AND LEOFF PLAN 2 — EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2019 — |
|
| RETIREMENT DATES | ADJUSTMENT |
| July 2, 2018 – July 1, 2019 | 0.00% |
| Prior to July 2, 2018 | 3.00% |
White House Budget Proposes Nearly $2.5 Trillion in Cuts to Medicare, Medicaid & Social Security
From the Alliance for Retired Americans – President Trump’s campaign pledge not to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security went out the window on Monday with the release of the administration’s proposed 2020 federal budget. Overall, the White House budget for Fiscal Year 2020 would cut $845 billion from Medicare, $1.5 trillion from Medicaid and $26 billion from Social Security.
