IRTA believes that we must never allow pension monies to be used for any purpose other than to pay pensions. Monies in the Indiana Teachers Retirement Fund (TRF) and the Pension Stabilization Fund must be used to pay teacher pensions and for no other purpose. IRTA advocacy efforts on behalf of retired educators include lobbying for pension improvements; monitoring the Board of Trustee meetings and policies of TRF; and communicating legislative activities to IRTA members via the IRTA Legislative Bulletin.

Who are your Legislators?

Our hard-won legislative accomplishments include:

COLA BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR!

See our News & Information page for photos of the signing ceremony

By Ralph D. Ayres, Executive Director:

      The 2008 session of the Indiana General Assembly ended on Friday, March 14, 2008. House Bill 1019, our COLA proposal, passed the House of Representatives 85-0 and the Senate 47-0! Governor Daniels signed our COLA into law on Monday, March 24, 2008.  Our initiative provides a TRF pension increase of 2% for those who retired before July 2, 2000, and a 1% increase for those who retired after July 1, 2000 and before July 2, 2006. You will see this increase on your February 1, 2009 check. We were fortunate to have Representative Dennis Avery (D-Evansville) as the author and Senator Robert Meeks (R-LaGrange) as the sponsor of our COLA proposal again this year. They were outstanding in their dedication to our cause!

      As you know, the session was consumed with property tax deliberations. With much of the attention focused on cutting spending and property tax reform, we are fortunate that the Indiana General Assembly increased pension benefits for retired educators. The efforts of IRTA members were vital to our legislative success.

      On Friday, March 14, the governor signed into law Senate Bill 51. This reduces the waiting period from 90 to 30 days for re-employment for those in TRF who want to go back into a TRF position. Many times a teacher who retires in June is called to substitute but is unable to work due to the old 90 day waiting period. This is an important change to address the educator shortage in Indiana. HB 1119 eliminates the $35,000 salary cap for those who retire from TRF and go to work in a PERF job.

      If individuals have worked in both PERF and TRF positions, they will now have the option upon retirement to decide which fund will determine their pension benefits. This provision was included in Senate Bill 72, which IRTA advanced. Earlier, the governor signed Senate Bill 210 into law. SB 210 corrected a 2007 statute that only allowed beneficiary changes as a result of a dissolution of marriage order granted in Indiana. Now, under SB 210, beneficiary changes will also be allowed based on orders granted in another state.

      As part of the discussion of controlling property taxes, a provision that affects many senior citizens was enacted. This initiative will limit property tax bill increases to no more than 2 percent  annually for individuals aged 65 and over who make less than $30,000 annually (single) or less than $40,000 (joint), if the assessed value of their home is less than $160,000.

      I am also pleased to report the Pension Management Oversight Commission (PMOC) has been asked to study the concept of Senate Bill 323 which would grant a minimum monthly pension benefit for older retired educators. SB 323 was authored by Senator Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville). Senator Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) authored Senate Resolution 71 requesting the further study of this proposal before the 2009 budget session.

      I hope in the 2009 budget year we will be able to improve our COLA adjustments, add a boosted pension benefit for our older retirees and expand the military credit provisions relating to TRF. Again, THANK YOU for a job well done!

The IRTA Legislative agenda was tremendously successful during the fast-paced 2008 Session of the Indiana General Assembly. The following are bills of interest to retired educators, for which the IRTA lobbied the Indiana General Assembly on your behalf:

HB 1001 – STATE BUDGET

DIGEST: [Various provisions] Limits property tax bill increases to no more than two percent annually for seniors who make less than $30,000 annually (single) or less than $40,000 (joint), if the assessed value of their homes is $160,000 or less.

AUTHOR: Representative Bill Crawford (D-Indianapolis).

COAUTHORS: Representatives Jeff Espich (R-Uniondale), Peggy Welch (D-Bloomington), P. Eric Turner (R-Marion).

SENATE SPONSORS: Senators Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) and Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute).

SENATE COSPONSORS: Senators Lindel Hume (D-Princeton), Brandt Hershman (R-Monticello) and Gary Dillon MD (R-Pierceton).

ACTION:

1-24-08 passed the House by a vote of 93 to 1; Roll Call 30.

2-26-08 passed the Senate by a vote of 33 to 14; Roll Call 251.

3-19-08 signed into law by Governor Daniels.

HB 1013 – EXTEND MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT FOR TRF MEMBERS

DIGEST:  Grants, under certain conditions, up to six years of service credit in the teachers’ retirement fund (TRF) for a member’s past active duty military service.

AUTHOR: Representative Clyde Kersey (D-Terre Haute).

COAUTHORS: Representatives Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso), Tim Harris (R-Marion) and Linda Lawson (D-Hammond).

SENATE SPONSORS: Senators Allen Paul (R-Richmond) and Tom Weatherwax (R-Logansport).

SENATE COSPONSORS: Senators Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute) and Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville).

ACTION:

1-29-08 passed the House by a vote of 82 to 9; Roll Call 69.

1-29-08 referred to the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor. No further action.

HB 1019 – COLA INCREASE FOR TRF MEMBERS

DIGEST: Provides a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2009 for certain members (or survivors or beneficiaries of members) of the state teachers’ retirement fund (TRF). Includes an increase in the minimum disability payment from $100 to $180.

AUTHOR: Representative Dennis Avery (D-Evansville).

COAUTHOR: Representative David L. Neizgodski (D-South Bend).

SENATE SPONSORS: Senators Robert Meeks (R-LaGrange) and Lindel Hume (D-Princeton).

SENATE COSPONSORS: Senators Beverly Gard (R-Greenfield), Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn), Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville), Bob Dieg (D-Mount Vernon), James Arnold (D-LaPorte), Karen Tallian (D-Portage), Greg Walker (R-Columbus) and R. Michael Young (R-Indianapolis).

ACTION:

1-28-09 passed the House by a vote of 78 to 0; Roll Call 43.

2-19-08 passed Senate by a vote of 45 to 1; Roll Call 229.

3-24-08 signed into law by Governor Daniels.

HB 1065 – PERF AND TRF RETIREMENT MATTERS

DIGEST: [This bill has language similar to SB 210]. Provides that a member of the Indiana teachers retirement fund (TRF) who serves in an elected position while eligible to begin receiving retirement benefits has up to 30 days after the member’s elected term of office ends to choose whether to retire from TRF or PERF. Representative Kathy Kreag Richardson (R-Noblesville) added amendment number one which included the TRF language quoted above.

AUTHOR: Representative Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville).

COAUTHORS: Representatives Clyde Kersey (D-Terre Haute), Cindy J. Noe (R-Indianapolis), and Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe).

SENATE SPONSORS: Senators Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) and Allen Paul (R-Richmond).

SENATE COSPONSOR: Senator James A. Lewis (D-Charlestown).

ACTION:

1-29-08 passed the House by a vote of 93 to 0; Roll Call 75.

2-19-08 passed the Senate by a unanimous vote of 46 to 0; Roll Call 230.

3-19-08 signed into law by Governor Daniels.

HB 1119 – RETIREE REEMPLOYMENT

DIGEST: [Various provisions] Removes the $35,000 salary exemption for retired members of the public employees retirement fund (PERF) and the Teachers Retirement Fund (TRF) who are reemployed in a covered position.

AUTHOR: Representative Terri Austin (D-Anderson).

COAUTHORS: Representatives David L. Niezgodski (D-South Bend) and David Wolkins (R-Winona Lake).

SENATE SPONSORS: Senators Tom Weatherwax (R-Logansport) and Sue Landske (R-Cedar Lake).

SENATE COSPONSOR: Senator Tim Lanane (D-Anderson).

ACTION:

1-29-08 passed the House by a vote of 92 to 0; Roll Call 83.

2-27-08 passed the Senate by a vote of 47 to 0; Roll Call 261.

3-24-08 signed into law by Governor Daniels.

SB 51 – RE-EMPLOYMENT WAITING PERIOD FOR RETIRED TEACHERS

DIGEST: Reduces from 90 days to 30 days the waiting period after which a retired member of the state teachers’ retirement fund (TRF) may be reemployed in a covered position and continue to receive a retirement benefit.

AUTHOR: Senator Tom Weatherwax (R-Logansport).

COAUTHORS: Senators Sue Landske (R-Cedar Lake), Bob Dieg (D-Mount Vernon), Karen Tallian (D-Portage) and Connie Sipes (D-New Albany).

HOUSE SPONSOR: Representative David L. Niezgodski (D-South Bend).

HOUSE COSPONSORS: Representatives Russell Stillwell (D-Boonville), Larry Buell (R-Indianapolis) and Woody Burton (R-Greenwood).

ACTION:

1-24-08 passed Senate 48 to 0; Roll Call 43.

2-14-08 passed the House 80 to 1; Roll Call 179.

3-14-08 signed into law by Governor Daniels.

SB 72 – PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

DIGEST: [Various provisions] Allows a member of the teachers retirement fund or the PERF who retires with service in more than one retirement fund to choose when the member applies for retirement benefits from which fund to retire. (Current law requires a member with service in more than one retirement fund to retire from the last fund in which the member rendered service.)

AUTHORS: Senators Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) and Ryan Mishler (R-Bremen).

COAUTHORS: Senators Karen Tallian (D-Portage) and Mike Young (R-Indianapolis).

HOUSE SPONSORS: Representative David L. Niezgodski (D-South Bend).

HOUSE COSPONSORS: Representative Larry Buell (R-Indianapolis).

ACTION:

1-29-08 passed the Senate by a vote of 48 to 0; Roll Call 102.

2-14-08 passed the House by a vote of 83 to 5; Roll Call 180.

3-24-08 signed into law by Governor Daniels.

SB 210 – BENEFICIARIES FOR DIVORCEES

DIGEST:  Provides that a TRF member may change the member’s beneficiary designation if the member and the member’s designated beneficiary are parties in any action for dissolution of marriage. (Under current law, the member may change the member’s beneficiary designation only if the member and the member’s designated beneficiary are parties in an Indiana action for dissolution of marriage).

AUTHORS: Senators Karen Tallian (D-Portage), Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) and Connie Sipes (D-New Albany).

COAUTHORS: Senators Bob Dieg (D-Mount Vernon), Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) and Tom Weatherwax (R-Logansport).

HOUSE SPONSOR: Representative David L. Niezgodski (D-South Bend).

HOUSE COSPONSORS: Representatives Larry Buell (R-Indianapolis) and Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville).

ACTION:

1-29-08 passed the Senate by a vote of 48 to 0; Roll Call 76.

2-12-08 passed House by a vote of 97 to 1.

2-22-08 signed into law by Governor Daniels.

Senate Resolution 62 – PMOC Study Committee

Authored by Senator Karen Tallian (D-Portage). A Senate Resolution urging the Legislative council to assign the topic of age discrimination and the state agency which should have jurisdiction over age discrimination proceedings to the Pension Management Oversight Committee for further study. This resolution contains language similar to House Bill 1034, authored by Representative Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary), which died in the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee.

Senate Resolution 71 – PMOC Study

Authored by Senators Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) and Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville). A Senate Resolution urging the Legislative Council to assign to the Pension Management Oversight Commission several issues relating to certain public safety officers and certain members of the Teachers Retirement Fund. This resolution contains language similar to Senate Bill 323, authored by Senator Becker, which died in the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee.