A push for pension reform took center stage during the Senate Ways & Means Committee meeting on January 23, 2025, as advocates for retired educators and public service workers urged lawmakers to support a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for a permanent COLA for the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) and Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 1 retirees, many of whom are facing financial hardships due to stagnant benefits.

Pete Diedrich, executive director of the Washington State School Retirees Association, passionately addressed the committee, stating, "Our retirees are aging... Many of them are kind of in the process of slowly going broke from not having an automatic adjustment." He emphasized that since the removal of automatic COLAs in 2011, retirees have collectively lost over $100,000 in retirement compensation, making it imperative for the legislature to act this year.

Jared Mason from the Washington Education Association echoed these sentiments, arguing that the state is failing to uphold its promise of a secure retirement for public sector workers, particularly in education. He expressed strong support for Senate Bill 5113, which aims to provide a sustainable solution for COLA adjustments, while raising concerns about the mechanisms proposed in Senate Bill 5085.

The meeting also saw opposition to Senate Bill 5085 from representatives of law enforcement and firefighting unions. Dennis Lawson, president of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, and Teresa Taylor, executive director of the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, both voiced their concerns regarding the bill's alignment with established merger principles and its potential impact on retirement benefits.

Joyce Wilms, representing the Left 1 Coalition, stressed the desire of many law enforcement officers to avoid mergers, stating, "They just want to be left alone." She called for continued dialogue to ensure that any changes do not adversely affect retirees.

As the committee continues to deliberate, the outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the financial security of thousands of retirees across Washington State. Advocates remain hopeful that lawmakers will prioritize the reinstatement of COLAs to honor the service of those who dedicated their careers to public service.