Bill > LD1021

This bill removes cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) restrictions for retired law enforcement officers and certain state employees who are 65 years of age or older, allowing them to receive a larger percentage increase in their retirement benefits. Specifically, beginning in 2025, the bill enables these retirees in specific law enforcement and public safety positions—such as game wardens, marine patrol officers, correctional detectives, state fire marshal investigators, judicial marshals, capitol police officers, forest rangers, probation officers, and military security police officers—to receive up to a 3% annual increase in their entire retirement benefit, rather than being limited to increases only on a portion of their benefit. Currently, COLAs are applied to retirement benefits up to $24,186.25, with increases beginning in September each year. The bill is classified as an emergency measure, which means it will take effect immediately upon approval, potentially impacting the percentage increase applied to eligible law enforcement retirement benefits starting in September 2025.

Labor and Employment

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1021&snum=132