Gov. Justice Signs Retirement Bill

State retirees should see a bit more money in their pockets under new legislation signed into law by Gov. Jim Justice Monday.  

Senate Bill 237 offers current retirees with at least 20 years of service with the Public Employees and Teachers Retirement System a one-time $1,500 bonus payment if they are 70 or older, as of July 1.

The bill also provides a $1,000 minimum monthly benefit to those same retirees with 25 years of service if they currently receive less than $1,000 per month in benefit money.

While signing the bill into law, Justice recognized the hardship faced by retired state workers.

“The thing that is hard to believe is that we’ve still got a bunch of retirees whose monthly payment is less than $1,000, and making it on less than $1,000 today I don’t know how in the world they do it.”

With the 2023 state legislative session adjourning at midnight Saturday, the governor now has 15 days to act on most bills. He can sign them, veto them or they automatically become law without his signature.