Amy Summers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – House Majority Leader Amy Summers, R-Taylor, today said a bill she sponsored will soon lead to greater benefits for certain retired teachers, school service workers and state employees with 25 years or more of service, or their survivors.

House Bill 3095 passed the Legislature earlier this week. The bill sets the minimum monthly benefit for retirees of the Public Employees Retirement System and Teachers Retirement System for those retirees who have at least 25 years of service. Current law sets the minimum benefit at $500 a month.

“This bill will begin providing our valued retirees a greater benefit on their pensions later this year,” Majority Leader Summers said. “Across our state, our seniors are struggling in the face of rising utility bills and food and prescription costs. I was proud to sponsor this bill to help our retired state workers and their families.”

In addition to the increased direct benefit for retirees, the bill also provides a minimum monthly benefit of $375 for the beneficiaries of retirees who chose the joint and survivor annuity option.

Majority Leader Summers was the lead sponsor on the bill. Additionally, it was co-sponsored by Delegates Ray Hollen, R-Wirt; Dianna Graves, R-Kanawha; Bill Anderson, R-Wood; Sharon Lewis Malcolm, R-Kanawha; Jeff Pack, R-Raleigh; Dave Pethtel, D-Wetzel; and Ed Evans, D-McDowell.

The bill does not apply to members of the Legislature that participate in those programs. It now goes to Gov. Jim Justice for his signature.