Harrisburg finally grants decades-old COLA to retired police, sparking broader pension debate
Harrisburg approved a modest cost-of-living increase for retired police officers who had not received one since 2002, highlighting pension shortfalls across states.
After more than twenty years without a cost-of-living raise, Harrisburg approved a staggered COLA for its retired police force, offering $75 monthly to those retired up to five years, $150 to those with ten to twenty years, and $300 to veterans of over twenty years. Representatives Steven Malagari and Sean Dougherty highlighted that consumer prices have risen over 70 percent since the last increase in 2002, arguing the new amounts are a step but not a full remedy.
The piece points out that other states, such as New Jersey, have not provided any COLA since 2011, leaving many retirees reliant solely on static pensions. It also links pension adequacy to broader concerns about officer morale, recruitment, and the impact of recent political pushes to reduce police funding. The author calls for more comprehensive inflation adjustments and better support for both retired and active law-enforcement personnel.
Why it matters
Retiree pension gaps affect police morale and recruitment, influencing public safety and fiscal policy.
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