STATEHOUSE (Jan. 26, 2024) – Legislation providing a 13th check to retired public employees is now one step closer to becoming law after the Indiana House of Representatives unanimously approved it Monday, according to State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso).
This legislation, co-authored by Soliday, would provide 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 13th check.
"With costs up on everything from heating bills to groceries, our state pensioners, especially older seniors, can often struggle to make ends meet," Soliday said. "This supplemental payment can help offset these expenses for Hoosiers who dedicated their careers to serving Indiana."
Payments would be based on an employee's number of years vested in their retirement plan. Soliday said the state would use existing, dedicated funds to make one-time payments to retirees, which would average about $360 per recipient.
As of early 2024, there are nearly 100,000 retired public employees who would qualify for a 13th check under this legislation.
House Bill 1004 now heads to the Indiana Senate for consideration. Similar legislation passed the House in 2023 but ultimately died in the Senate. Learn more about the bill and track it through the legislative process at iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) represents House District 4,
which includes a portion of Porter County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
