STATEHOUSE (Jan. 31, 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 the measure, according to local lawmakers.
According to State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer (R-Shelbyville), who co-authored the bill, the legislation 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.
"Teachers, police officers and other retired public employees all have one thing in common: their efforts helped to make Indiana the great state it is today," Meltzer said. "We should do all we can to repay these Hoosiers for the efforts and to support them in retirement."
"Our public retirees spent a career supporting Indiana and now they're feeling the squeeze from high inflation," said State Rep. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville). "This supplemental payment could help give them some relief and the state already has the funding set aside."
Payments would be based on an employee's number of years vested in their retirement plan. State Rep. Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) said the state would use existing, dedicated funds to make one-time payments to retirees, which would average about $360 per recipient.
"These Hoosiers provided the state with years of tireless service," Zimmerman said. "Giving back to retirees who served the public for decades is simply the right thing to do."
"Hoosiers continue to face high inflation and we know the cost of everything has gone up whether it's home heating bills or medicine and groceries," said State Rep. Zach Payne (R-Charlestown). "By sending our retirees this 13th check, we can help them stretch their dollars further."
As of early 2024, there are nearly 100,000 retired public employees who would qualify for a 13th check under this legislation.
In 2023, House lawmakers supported similar legislation, but the bill ultimately died in the Senate.
"For decades, our public retirees counted on a 13th check or cost-of-living adjustment in addition to their pension and unfortunately, they didn't receive either last year," said State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown). "The House has once again approved this legislation and I'm hopeful we can get it across the finish line."
"Whether it's teachers who help the next generation of Hoosiers or state police who keep communities safe, public servants are vital to our state," said State Rep. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison). "Indiana's public retirees are facing higher costs of basic essentials like food and housing, and we have an opportunity to step up and help them."
House Bill 1004 now heads to the Indiana Senate for consideration. Learn more about the bill and track it through the legislative process at iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) represents House District 70,
which includes all of Harrison County, and portions of Clark, Floyd and Washington counties.
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State Rep. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison) represents House District 68,
which includes all of Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland counties, and a portion of Jefferson County.
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State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer (R-Shelbyville) represents House District 73,
which includes portions of Bartholomew, Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties.
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State Rep. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) represents House District 55, which includes
all of Fayette, Franklin and Union counties, and portions of Decatur, Ripley and Rush counties.
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State Rep. Zach Payne (R-Charlestown) represents House District 66,
which includes portions of Clark, Jefferson and Scott counties.
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State Rep. Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) represents House District 67,
which includes portions of Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties.
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