The new legislative session has started. Last session we had Bill HF708 and SF1556 introduced and heard by the LCPR (Pension Commission). The Bill was laid over. PERA objected because another seat would have made the PERA Board an even numbered Board. Representative Peggy Scott will be introducing an Amendment to make one of the existing 3 elected PERA Board seats to be filled by a PERA Correctional Officer. This would seem to overcome the objections. If passed this would finally give a PERA Correctional Plan member a dedicated seat on the Board. Secondly PERA is recommending and writing legislation to raise the COLA Cap on our Correctional Plan from 2.5 to 3%. This Bill would also lower the Employee contributions from 6.83% to 6% and the Employer contribution from 10.25 t0 9%. This will benefit the Retirees, current contributing members and the Employer. A win all around! Watch our website and blogs for news and updates!
At today's PERA Executive Board meeting the PERA Executive proposed raising Correctional Plan COLA's to a maximum of 3% and decreasing Employee and Employer Contributions. This still leaves our plan funded at 102%! The Board passed the recommendation unanimously. MNCORA had been asked our input and provided a letter of support in January. Full Proposal: https://www.mnpera.org/sites/default/files/tab-e--2026-legislative-agenda-2.12-correctional-plan.pdf This will now go to the legislators and hopefully passes. MNCORA is hopeful it will as it saves both employees and the employers money.