What does the Strunk decision mean for some PERS retirees and benefit recipients who were Tier One members?
A. Strunk restored cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to those retirees whose COLAs were frozen as a result of 2003 legislation. For Tier One members who retired from April 1, 2000 through March 1, 2004, the frozen cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will be restored as part of Strunk/Eugene implementation. Tier One members who retired from April 1, 2004 through March 1, 2005 will receive 8 percent earnings crediting to their regular account for 2003 and 2004. Those members who retired in the first three months of 2005 received 8 percent for 2004. Tier One members who began receiving retirement benefits after April 1, 2005 should have had 8 percent earnings for 2003, 2004, and the portion of 2005 used in their retirement calculation.
