As of early 2024, there were nearly 100,000 retired state employees who dedicated their careers to making Indiana a great place to live, work and raise a family. Like many other retirees, a steep rise in the cost of everyday necessities like food and fuel has taken a bigger bite out of their retirement savings than expected.
That's why this session I co-authored legislation that would provide these retired public employees with a one-time, post-retirement payment designed to help cover cost-of-living gaps. Retired public employees like teachers, state excise police, gaming agents, gaming control officers, conservation officers and state police officers who are a part of Indiana’s public pension program would receive a supplemental payment known as a 13th check.
Payments would be based on an employee's number of years vested in their retirement plan. The state would use existing, dedicated funds to make one-time payments to retirees, which would average about $360 per recipient.
House Bill 1004 is now with the Indiana Senate for consideration. In 2023, I supported similar legislation, but the bill ultimately died in the Senate. Retired state workers have relied on these payments for decades to help cover increasing costs for daily needs. Last year was the first year they didn't receive a supplemental payment. I hope to see this bill become law so we can help offset some of their expenses. These Hoosiers spent years working to support our state. Now it's time for us to help them.
With the legislative session reaching the halfway point, I encourage constituents to contact my Statehouse office with any questions or concerns at h65@iga.in.gov or 317-232-9600. You can follow House Bill 1004 and other legislation through the process, as well as watch session and committee meetings at iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65,
which includes all of Lawrence County, and portions of Jackson, Orange and Washington counties.
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