After a lot of wrangling and political horse trading, the House and Senate both agreed on HB 42 by Rep. Sam Jones, which calls for a 1.5% cost of living adjustment for retired state employees, including teachers and other school-related personnel.

It’s not a windfall – the average increase will be just $30 per month.

But it will help offset the looming increases in health insurance coverage for retirees. And there is enough money in the retirement systems’ experience accounts to pay for the COLA.

There is one remaining hurdle before people who dedicated their lives to public service can expect this modest increase. Gov. Bobby Jindal has the power to sign the COLA into law or veto it.

Please take action now. Tell Gov. Jindal that retired public servants deserve and need this very modest increase in their retirement benefits.