Dear WSSRA Members,
We have good news to share! On Wednesday morning, the Washington State Legislature released its final negotiated budget. The budget maintains the current funding level for the PEBB Medicare benefit, which is received by all retirees who purchase Medicare supplemental insurance through the Public Employees Benefits Board. This is a major victory, as the budget that the Senate proposed last month would have reduced this benefit, substantially increasing health care costs for retirees.
The budget also incorporates Substitute Senate Bill 5862, which will provide a one-time 3% COLA to TRS 1 and PERS 1 retirees not to exceed $110 per month. TRS 1 and PERS 1 retirees will see their monthly pension amounts increase at the end of July 2026. All other state-managed pension plans automatically receive COLAs every July. While SSB 5862 was funded in the Senate’s proposed budget, it was not funded in the House’s proposed budget, and getting it included in the final budget is another big win for retirees.
On Thursday, the negotiated budget will be subject to a final vote in both the House and the Senate, with no amendments allowed. It is expected to pass both chambers. It will then go to the Governor, who will have until April 4 to sign it.
Thank you for supporting WSSRA and participating in our advocacy. You helped make this result possible.
With gratitude,
Emmett Mills
Legislative Coordinator
Washington State School Retirees’ Association
emmett@wssra.org
Office: (360) 413-5496 ext. 2
Cell: (541) 602-4806