STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2017) — Legislation co-authored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) to provide a 13th check for public employee pensions passed out of the Indiana House of Representatives Monday with a vote of 96-0.
The “13th check” is a flat payment based on an individual’s number of years vested in their retirement plan and is not equal to a monthly pension check. House Bill 1537 would provide a 13th check in 2017 and 2018 to teachers, public employees, state excise police, gaming agents, conservation officers and police officers who are part of the state’s public pension program.
“Indiana would not be the state it is without the hard work of our public employees,” Burton said. “Offering a 13th check to these retirees helps offsets some of the rising costs for everyday goods and services. Pension benefits don’t always go as far as they used to, and, currently, the state has the funds to help support our public employee retirees who have dedicated a great deal of their careers in service to Indiana.”
Burton said the Indiana General Assembly passed the first, 13th check in 1991 and has passed one nearly every year since then.
House Bill 1537 can now be considered by the Senate. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about the legislation.
-30-
State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) represents House
District 58, which includes a portion of Johnson County.
A high-resolution photo of Burton can be downloaded by clicking here.
