LA retirees to receive COLA

Retired members of the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System will receive a cost-of-living adjustment for the first time in four years.

Some 32,000 retired state employees will get 2.4 percent cost-of-living increases in their pension checks beginning July 1.

The Louisiana House gave final approval Thursday to the plan which will mean an average $31.20 per month in retirees’ pocketbooks.

House Retirement Committee chairman Rep. Pete Schneider, R-Slidell, said the COLA “will probably cover the increase in Group Benefits” health insurance premiums.