News Summary
The Boston Retirement Board has approved a 3% annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for retired city workers, amounting to $450 for the next fiscal year. This decision follows debates on larger increases, which were ultimately rejected, amidst concerns over the city’s financial situation. Despite advocacy from retirees for a significant COLA base adjustment to account for inflation and rising living costs, the board opted for conservative financial measures. Many retirees express disappointment, feeling their needs have not been sufficiently addressed.
Boston – The Boston Retirement Board has voted to approve a 3% annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for retired city workers, a decision made on Wednesday that will provide these retirees with a payment of $450 for the upcoming fiscal year. This adjustment has been made amidst ongoing discussions regarding the increasing financial pressures faced by pensioners due to rising living costs.
The board’s decision rejected proposals for a larger increase that would have raised the annual adjustment to $540. These larger adjustments have been long sought after by retirees who argue that current payments do not adequately reflect the inflation they experience, particularly in terms of essential expenses like housing and groceries. Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration opposed the larger COLA increase in a letter distributed prior to the board’s meeting.
Ashley Groffenberger, Boston’s chief financial officer, advised the board to limit the increase to 3%, citing the need to avoid placing additional financial burden on the city of Boston. The proposals for increased COLA payments were significant because they would have cost the city approximately $32 million in the next fiscal year. The city’s financial situation is challenging, with an unfunded pension liability of $977 million that the city hopes to eliminate by 2028, ahead of the state-mandated deadline of 2040.
Retired city workers expressed disappointment with the board’s decision. Numerous retirees and labor unions felt their challenges were ignored, leading to feelings of being disrespected and unheard. They have been advocating for an increase in the COLA base, currently set at $15,000, to $18,000, which would provide an additional $90 in annual COLA payments. This COLA base has not been adjusted since 2021, when it was raised from $14,000 to $15,000. Over the past decade, there have been only three adjustments to the COLA base, reflecting an increase in annual payments from $360 to $450.
In September, twelve Boston City Councilors passed a symbolic resolution that would initiate discussions on raising the COLA base to $18,000. However, during the recent vote, the Boston Retirement Board approved the 3% increase unanimously but voted 3-2 against three proposals aimed at increasing the COLA base to $18,000, $17,000, or $16,000. The two elected members of the board supported the proposed increases.
Mayor Wu, during her candidacy in 2021, indicated support for the additional $90 COLA boost but later expressed reservations regarding the financial implications of such an increase. Community advocates have highlighted the difficulties faced by retirees living on fixed incomes, many of whom may need to seek additional work to meet rising costs.
This recent decision by the Boston Retirement Board underscores the ongoing struggle of balancing fiscal responsibility with the support needed for retired city workers. As the cost of living continues to rise, retirees are left navigating financial challenges that can significantly affect their quality of life.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: Boston Retirement Board Approves 3% COLA
- Mass Retirees: House Approves COLA Commission & Insurance Increase
- Boston Herald: City Council Presses Retirement Board on Pension Increase
- Google Search: Cost of Living Adjustment News
- Wikipedia: Cost of Living
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
