Sportsline with Tony Caridi  Watch |  Listen

June will bring retirement benefit increase for some state worker and teacher retirees

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A small number of West Virginia’s 50,000 total retired teachers and other state workers will see increases in their monthly retirement benefits beginning this June.

Governor Jim Justice has signed into law SB 3095 which applies to the retirees in those two categories with at least 25 years of credited service.

For those retirees, monthly benefits for people collecting less than $750 per month will increase to that minimum amount.

“To those folks, it’s a blessing,” said Ernie “Spud” Terry, spokesperson for the West Virginia Coalition of Retired Public Employees.

“That’s a huge increase for those folks and it’s long past due.”

The minimum for modified joint and survivor retirement annuities is set at $375 per month in cases of at least 25 years of credited service.

The increase is not retroactive to the time of retirement and it applies only to state workers “who have retired prior to the effective date.”

Terry estimated up to 600 people could see the increase but, he said, the overall need is much greater.

He also serves as president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, Retirees Chapter 77.

In the two roles, he has long been an advocate for a cost-of-living increases for retirees along with the elimination of the state tax on Social Security which is to be phased out over three years under a separate bill pending with Governor Justice.

“We have folks that are retired who’ve gone over 20 years without any kind of increase in their pension and all the increase in the PEIA program and the cost of living. I mean, it’s a struggle for our folks,” Terry said.

“Our folks just need help in so many areas.”

The new law which came out of the 2019 Regular Legislative Session takes effect on June 3, 2019.

For this case, the law does not allow credited service for state workers to include time as an elected public official or a temporary legislative employee. It also puts some limits on years of service counted in higher education.





More News

News
Governor Justice: no $465 million 'clawback' of federal funds for schools after waiver approval
The problem was based not on any allegations of misspending — but instead over whether school systems fell short on an obligation to maintain financial support for education at levels in line with overall spending.
April 19, 2024 - 6:10 pm
News
Fayette County inmate pleads guilty to killing other inmate
The incident happened in November of 2020 at the Mount Olive Correctional Center.
April 19, 2024 - 5:35 pm
News
Middle school athletes step out of shot put against transgender girl who just won court case
The situation unfolded at the Harrison County Championships for middle schools, just a couple of days after West Virginia transgender athlete won appeals court ruling.
April 19, 2024 - 2:37 pm
News
West Virginia State University holds a day of community service and giving back
The 11th annual WVSU Cares Day was held Friday at 17 sites throughout Kanawha and Putnam counties.
April 19, 2024 - 2:11 pm