
<p>Retirement insights from a Colorado PERA perspective</p>



<p></p>


A distant view shows a mountainous landscape with sloping peaks, green trees in the foreground, and a cloudy sky above.


<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.intuit.com/blog/global-stories/financial-literacy-ranking-by-state/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Financial Literacy by State: 2025 Rankings | Intuit</strong></a></p>



<p>A new ranking puts Colorado in the middle of the pack when it comes to financial literacy among high schoolers. Intuit ranked states on factors such as required coursework, test scores, and youth employment rate, giving Colorado a score of 9.3 out of 18 possible points. It’s worth noting a new state law will require all Colorado high school students to take a financial literacy course in order to graduate.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-teetering-recession-governors-budgeting-office/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Colorado is Teetering on the Edge of a Recession, Governor&#8217;s Planning, Budgeting Director Says | CBS Colorado</strong></a></p>



<p>State lawmakers will have to deal with yet another budget shortfall during next year’s legislative session. The latest forecasts show the state will once again have to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in spending, driven largely by increases in Medicaid costs. Lawmakers will get their next quarterly update in December, and the legislative session begins in January.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/17/federal-social-security-payments-electronic.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Social Security payments, federal benefits go electronic Sept. 30 | CNBC</strong></a></p>



<p>Say “goodbye” to paper checks from the federal government. If you receive Social Security benefits, you’ll now have to be signed up for direct deposit to receive your benefit payments. The shift away from paper checks is intended to cut down on fraud while also saving the government money. The change will also apply to tax refunds and other federal payments going forward.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://money.com/taxes-in-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>You’re Retiring. Get Ready for These Tax Changes | Money</strong></a></p>



<p>Retirement is more than just a change in employment—it also brings some important changes to your finances. Here are some important tax considerations to keep in mind if you’re approaching retirement and are expecting to draw from Social Security and other savings.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: New Report Ranks Colorado on Financial Literacy


<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.denver7.com/follow-up/state-unveils-10-year-plan-to-address-needs-among-colorados-growing-older-population" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>State Unveils 10-Year Plan to Address Colorado&#8217;s Growing Older Population | Denver7</strong></a></p>



<p>The State of Colorado has released a strategic plan that aims to address the needs of older citizens over the next decade. The plan incorporates five goals to support the well-being of aging Coloradans, from improving access to health care and other services to boosting economic security.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/14/social-security-90-anniversary-future-changes.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Social Security Turns 90. Here’s What Could Happen to Future Benefits | CNBC</strong></a></p>



<p>Ninety years ago this month, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, creating the Social Security program that has become a vital source of income for many aging and disabled Americans. As the program hits a major milestone, there are multiple efforts underway to improve Social Security’s finances so it will remain secure going forward.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-401k-private-equity-retirement-plans-d7fdae32d904c9454f4d4eb0b12b88ef" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Trump Opens the Door for Private Equity and Crypto as 401(k) Options | AP News</strong></a></p>



<p>President Trump signed an executive order that will allow employer-based retirement plans like 401(k)s to include private assets—such as private equity, cryptocurrency, or real estate—in their investment offerings. It’s not yet clear what those types of funds might look like, and experts say workers will want to carefully consider risks and costs associated with such assets.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/most-americans-know-having-a-will-is-important-yet-less-than-a-third-have-one-11791679" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Most Americans Know Having a Will is Important, Yet Less Than a Third Have One | Investopedia</strong></a></p>



<p>A recent survey found the number of Americans who have created a will has declined, despite a majority of people understanding the importance of having one. Fewer than a quarter of people who responded to the Caring.com survey said they have a will, down from 33% in 2022.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: Colorado Releases 10-Year Plan on Aging


<p>PERA’s executive leadership team hosted two Town Halls on Tuesday, July 1 to provide updates on PERA and take questions from members and retirees.</p>



<p>CEO/Executive Director Andrew Roth was joined by Chief Investment Officer/Chief Operating Officer Amy C. McGarrity, Chief Benefits Officer Patrick Lane, and Chief Administrative Officer Jeremy Hill.</p>



<p>Below are clips of some of the executives’ answers to participant questions.</p>



<p>Full recordings of each Town Hall are available at <a href="https://copera.org/townhall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">copera.org/townhall</a>.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">How did PERA’s investment portfolio perform in 2024?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-video advgb-video-block full-width" data-video="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-investment-performance.mp4" data-source="local" data-video-attr="controls,playsinline" data-video-preload="metadata"><div class="advgb-video-wrapper full-width no-lightbox"><video class="full-width" height="450" poster="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/amy-investments-2.jpg" controls preload="metadata" playsinline><source src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-investment-performance.mp4"/>Your browser does not support HTML5 video.</video></div></div>



<p>McGarrity highlighted PERA’s financial results from 2024, as reported in the recently released 2023&nbsp;<em>Annual Comprehensive Financial Report</em> (ACFR).</p>



<p>“For the year ended December 31, 2024, PERA’s investment portfolio earned a return of 10.8% net-of-fees,” McGarrity said. “The value of the total defined benefit fund was $66.7 billion and our funded status was 69.2%.”</p>



<p>Based on 2024’s financial results, PERA remains on track to meet its funding goals. That means there will be no adjustments to contribution rates and all eligible benefit recipients will receive a 1.0% increase this July and most, if not all, will receive 1.0% in July 2026.</p>



<p>View more highlights from the 2024 <em>ACFR</em> at <a href="https://copera.org/snapshot" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copera.org/snapshot</a>.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">If PERA’s investments earned positive returns in 2024, why aren’t retirees getting a bigger Annual Increase?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-video advgb-video-block full-width" data-video="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-annual-increase.mp4" data-source="local" data-video-attr="controls,playsinline" data-video-preload="metadata"><div class="advgb-video-wrapper full-width no-lightbox"><video class="full-width" height="450" poster="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/andrew-annual-increase.png" controls preload="metadata" playsinline><source src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-annual-increase.mp4"/>Your browser does not support HTML5 video.</video></div></div>



<p>Roth acknowledged that the <a href="https://copera.org/retirees/benefit-basics-for-retirees/annual-benefit-increases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1% Annual Increase</a> retirees have received in recent years has been a challenge and reiterated that while PERA has unfunded liabilities, the Annual Increase is limited under state law to keep the plan on track to full funding.</p>



<p>“The good news is because we’re having strong investment returns, there is no decrease to the Annual Increase,” Roth said.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">What will happen to my PERA benefits if there’s a recession?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-video advgb-video-block full-width" data-video="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-recession.mp4" data-source="local" data-video-attr="controls,playsinline" data-video-preload="metadata"><div class="advgb-video-wrapper full-width no-lightbox"><video class="full-width" height="450" poster="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/amy-recession-2.jpg" controls preload="metadata" playsinline><source src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-recession.mp4"/>Your browser does not support HTML5 video.</video></div></div>



<p>“First and foremost, nothing happens to the benefits that are being paid,” McGarrity said, affirming that PERA would continue to pay earned benefits if there were a downturn in the economy.</p>



<p>As far as PERA’s portfolio is concerned, McGarrity said that because PERA is invested in the markets, it would likely experience the effects of a recession. However, the Board’s focus is on achieving returns <a href="https://copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/how-colorado-pera-invests-for-long-term-retirement-security" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over the course of decades</a>, regardless of what happens in any one year.</p>



<p>“That’s really why the Board underscores a strategic approach and remains invested in the asset classes across the markets through various environments in order to achieve our very long-term objectives,” she said.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">Does the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset through the Social Security Fairness Act mean PERA members have to start contributing to Social Security?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-video advgb-video-block full-width" data-video="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-social-security.mp4" data-source="local" data-video-attr="controls,playsinline" data-video-preload="metadata"><div class="advgb-video-wrapper full-width no-lightbox"><video class="full-width" height="450" poster="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/andrew-social-security.jpg" controls preload="metadata" playsinline><source src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-social-security.mp4"/>Your browser does not support HTML5 video.</video></div></div>



<p>“The short answer is no changes that resulted from the Social Security Fairness Act will impact PERA members with regard to their contributions,” Roth said, adding that PERA serves as a <a href="https://copera.org/retirees/benefit-basics-for-retirees/pera-and-social-security" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substitute for Social Security</a> for most members, and a person’s PERA benefit is never affected by any other benefit they may receive.</p>



<p>PERA members who were previously affected by WEP or GPO will no longer see reductions in their Social Security benefits since those two provisions have been repealed.</p>



<p>For more information on the Social Security Fairness Act, visit <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html?tl=2%2C6%2C10" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ssa.gov</a>.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">What can retirees expect for PERACare plans in 2026?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-video advgb-video-block full-width" data-video="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-peracare.mp4" data-source="local" data-video-attr="controls,playsinline" data-video-preload="metadata"><div class="advgb-video-wrapper full-width no-lightbox"><video class="full-width" height="450" poster="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/patrick-peracare-2.png" controls preload="metadata" playsinline><source src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-peracare.mp4"/>Your browser does not support HTML5 video.</video></div></div>



<p>“We will continue to offer the same plans and carriers for our Medicare and pre-Medicare offerings in the 2026 plan year,” Lane said. “We’re still in the process of finalizing premium information, but we do expect premiums to go up across the board next year, so I want to be very transparent about that.”</p>



<p>Lane added that while PERA does its best to negotiate competitive rates with PERACare carriers, there are many factors that affect premiums and other health plan costs, such as rising costs for services and prescription drugs and regulatory changes at the federal level.</p>



<p>We’ll have more information on 2026 PERACare premiums in the fall.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">How do I know when I can retire and how much my monthly benefit will be?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-video advgb-video-block full-width" data-video="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-when-can-i-retire.mp4" data-source="local" data-video-attr="controls,playsinline" data-video-preload="metadata"><div class="advgb-video-wrapper full-width no-lightbox"><video class="full-width" height="450" poster="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/patrick-retirement.jpg" controls preload="metadata" playsinline><source src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-TH-when-can-i-retire.mp4"/>Your browser does not support HTML5 video.</video></div></div>



<p>“The <a href="https://copera.org/app" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PERA mobile app</a> is a really valuable tool to help you through this process,” Lane said. “It has calculators, it can help you determine your dates for eligibility to receive benefits, and it can help you go through some hypothetical scenarios that would help you gain a better understanding of your retirement.”</p>



<p>Lane also pointed out other tools and resources that are available on PERA’s website, including <a href="https://www.copera.org/welcome-pera-members/benefit-basics/highest-average-salary-tables" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highest average salary tables</a>, <a href="https://content.copera.org/webinars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">webinars</a>, and <a href="https://www.copera.org/forms-resources/video-library" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">educational videos</a>.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">Town Hall recordings</h2>



<p>For full recordings of both Town Halls, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://copera.org/about/pera-town-hall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copera.org/townhall</a>.</p>


PERA Executives Give Updates, Take Questions at 2025 Town Halls


<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-medicare-trust-fund-trump-74e13292f510739724a555d7ded7c1a3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Medicare and Social Security Go-Broke Dates Pushed Up | AP News</strong></a></p>



<p>This year’s annual assessment of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds found the programs could be forced to begin cutting benefits even sooner than previously expected, if the government doesn’t take action. Social Security is expected to deplete its trust funds one year sooner than last year’s estimate, while Medicare’s hospital insurance fund is expected to run out of cash three years earlier.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/fed-set-hold-rates-steady-middle-east-crisis-tariffs-cloud-outlook-2025-06-18/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Fed Keeps Rates Steady but Pencils in Two Cuts by End of 2025 | Reuters</strong></a></p>



<p>The Federal Reserve is cautiously keeping its key interest rate unchanged for the time being due to concerns over inflation ratcheting back up. Chair Jerome Powell said that while inflation has been low in recent months, it’s possible prices will rise as the full effects of tariffs are realized. However, experts say rate cuts later this year are still possible.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.planadviser.com/workers-dont-expect-succeed-saving-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Workers Don’t Expect to Succeed in Saving for Retirement | PLANADVISER</strong></a></p>



<p>If you ask people if their generation has it harder than their parents’ generation, 8 times out of 10 they’ll say “yes,” according to a recent report by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. The survey found that across generations, Americans say they’re struggling to meet their financial needs and save for retirement. The good news is employer-based retirement plans are a vital part of retirement success and more than three-quarters of Generation Z say they’re saving for retirement.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/16/aging-in-colorado-housing-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>As Colorado Ages, Seniors are Colliding with the Housing Crisis | The Colorado Sun</strong></a> </p>



<p>The Colorado Sun continues its series on aging in Colorado with an article that explores how the state’s seniors—the fastest-growing demographic group—are finding themselves dealing with the housing affordability crisis as they search for homes that meet their needs.</p>



<p></p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: Social Security, Medicare Finances Worsen


<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/04/pera-colorado-law-enforcement-funding-deal-proposition-130/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>How PERA Could Be the Big Winner of Colorado’s Police Funding Deal | The Colorado Sun</strong></a></p>



<p>One of the PERA-related bills that lawmakers passed during the recently concluded legislative session uses a unique funding mechanism for the voter-approved Proposition 130, which creates a fund to support public safety in Colorado. Under the bill, the State will give PERA a lump sum of $500 million and then may reduce its annual payments to PERA in future years based on our investment earnings, until the public safety fund reaches a total of $350 million.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-fairness-act-payments-june-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Social Security Says over 2.5 million Retroactive Payments Have Been Processed. Here&#8217;s What to Know. | CBS News</strong></a></p>



<p>The Social Security Administration says it has processed the majority of retroactive payments due to beneficiaries who had previously been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and/or Government Pension Offset (GPO). The agency said that while affected individuals should have received their retroactive payments by the end of March and their updated benefit amounts in April, more complicated cases that require manual processing will take more time.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/06/04/nx-s1-5423538/medicare-drug-price-negotiations-ozempic-otezla" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Medicare seeks lower prices for drugs, including Ozempic : Shots &#8211; Health News : NPR</strong></a></p>



<p>The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun its second round of price negotiations with prescription drug manufacturers. The agency is targeting 15 drugs for lower prices, including popular weight-loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy. Any lower prices would go into effect in 2027.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/emergency-fund-for-retirement-11741359" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Retired? Here&#8217;s 5 Reasons You Still Need an Emergency Fund—Plus How Much It Should Cover | Investopedia</strong></a></p>



<p>If you’re retired, you may be thinking more about withdrawals from your savings rather than stashing away extra cash, but experts say it’s important to keep saving. Unexpected expenses such as medical bills, home repairs, and other emergencies can wreak havoc on any budget and especially for someone on a fixed income.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: PERA Could Benefit from Public Safety Law


<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.aspentimes.com/news/colorado-legislature-votes-to-add-financial-literacy-to-list-of-high-school-graduation-requirements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Colorado Legislature Votes to Add Financial Literacy to List of High School Graduation Requirements | The Aspen Times</strong></a></p>



<p>Students in all of Colorado’s public school districts may soon be required to take a course in financial literacy to graduate from high school. House Bill 1192, which passed the Legislature, also directs school districts to provide students with help filling out financial aid forms. If signed into law, the bill takes effect for students starting high school in 2026 and later.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/your-money/social-security-fairness-act-increase-missing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Social Security Benefit Increase Missing? Here&#8217;s What to Do | NewsNation</strong></a></p>



<p>Many retirees who were previously affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO) have received their new Social Security benefit payments and any applicable retroactive payments by now. However, officials said some more complicated cases would need manual processing and would take additional time. Here’s the latest on where things stand.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.napa-net.org/news/2025/4/hickenlooper-reintroduces-federally-run-retirement-plan-bill/?utm_source=MagnetMail&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=ksevits%40copera%2Eorg&amp;utm_content=COM%5FNAPA%5FeNews%5F05%2E02%2E2025%5FDaily%5FFri&amp;utm_campaign=Hickenlooper%20Reintroduces%20Federally%20Run%20Retirement%20Plan%20Bill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Hickenlooper Reintroduces Federally Run Retirement Plan Bill | National Association of Plan Advisors</strong></a></p>



<p>Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) has reintroduced a bill that would create a federally run retirement plan to cover private-sector workers who aren’t covered through their employer. Supporters say the bill would improve the retirement security of lower-income workers, but the bill has faced opposition in the past from those who argue a federal plan would crowd out existing employer-based retirement plans.</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-most-searched-financial-terms-150116759.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>20 Most Searched Financial Terms in the US | GoBankingRates via Yahoo! Finance</strong></a></p>



<p>When it comes to assessing what Americans know about money and what they don’t, you can learn a lot from online searches. A new study looked at which financial words and phrases people search Google for the most, and the results show a wide range of terms such as interest rates, capital, and equity. Here are the most-searched terms and explanations of what they mean.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: Financial Literacy Bill Passes Colorado Legislature


<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-budget-cuts/article_21095d25-b442-45db-b75a-00bd4cd69f2e.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$43.9 Billion Budget Bill Introduced in Colorado Senate | Colorado Politics</a></h2>



<p>State lawmakers have been working to build out the budget for the next fiscal year while trying to fill a $1.2 billion funding hole, and they released their proposal this week. In total, the budget calls for $43.9 billion in spending with dozens of accompanying bills that cut or transfer funds to fill the budget shortfall.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/01/amgen-enbrel-price-cap-lawsuit-dismissed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enbrel Maker&#8217;s Effort to Stop Colorado from Capping Drug Price Dismissed | The Colorado Sun</a></h2>



<p>The Legislature created the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board in 2021 with the goal of reviewing the affordability of prescription drugs and capping the prices of medications deemed to be too unaffordable. Drugmaker Amgen filed a lawsuit trying to prevent the Board from capping the price of its autoimmune drug Enbrel, but a judge dismissed the suit.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/03/26/nx-s1-5341780/social-security-administration-identity-requirements" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Security Officials Partially Walk Back Plans for In-Person Verification | NPR</a></h2>



<p>After previously announcing that some Social Security beneficiaries would need to verify their identities in-person at a Social Security office, the Social Security Administration is updating its policy and moving its deadline. The agency now says the in-person requirement will only apply to people who are trying to access retirement, survivor, or auxiliary benefits and who are unable to verify their identity online.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/the-sec-invites-cryptocurrency-supporters-and-skeptics-to-the-table/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The SEC Holds its First Cryptocurrency Roundtable | Marketplace</a></h2>



<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which enforces regulations in financial markets, held its first roundtable meeting on cryptocurrencies last month. The question at the center of the agency’s discussion is whether the SEC should regulate cryptocurrencies the same way it regulates stocks and bonds.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: State Lawmakers Introduce $43.9B Budget Proposal


<p>The Social Security Administration says it is speeding up implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, issuing back payments and recalculating benefits for those previously affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) sooner than initially announced.</p>



<p>After President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, the Social Security Administration (SSA) said it was facing a shortage of staff and funding as it worked to recalculate benefits for the millions of Americans whose benefits had been reduced by WEP and GPO. At that time, SSA said implementation <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/social-security-fairness-act-rollout-could-take-a-year-or-more" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">could take a year or more</a> due to manual processing of accounts.</p>



<p>In late February, SSA said <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-02-25-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">it had set up an automated process</a> to handle most accounts, allowing the agency to speed up processing. The agency said it was “immediately” beginning to issue retroactive payments to reflect higher benefit amounts going back to January 2024.</p>



<p>Retirees and other beneficiaries can expect to see a lump sum payment deposited directly into the bank account on file with SSA by the end of March, SSA said. New monthly benefit amounts will go into effect with benefits paid in April.</p>



<p>It’s important to note the Social Security Fairness Act does not affect Colorado PERA retirement benefits. PERA members or retirees with questions about how the law affects them should contact the Social Security Administration directly.</p>



<p><strong>LEARN MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.copera.org/retirees/benefit-basics-for-retirees/pera-and-social-security" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PERA and Social Security</a></p>



<p>Affected beneficiaries will receive a letter from SSA explaining any change in benefits, but that letter may arrive after the lump sum for back payments, according to SSA.</p>



<p>The agency said it would have to manually process accounts that have a high level of complexity and those without a bank account on file, which will take additional time. That means not everyone will see their retroactive payments or new benefit amounts right away.</p>



<p>In addition to recalculating benefits, SSA is encouraging anyone who never applied for Social Security benefits due to WEP or GPO reductions to go ahead and apply now.</p>



<p>For more information, visit <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html?tl=2%2C6%2C10" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ssa.gov</a>.</p>


Social Security Administration Expediting Benefit Processing for Those Affected by WEP/GPO


<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.cpr.org/2025/02/12/financial-literacy-high-school-graduation-requirement-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Would Require Colorado Students Take One Semester of Financial Literacy to Graduate | Colorado Public Radio</a></h2>



<p>State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require financial education for high school students. Currently, only about a quarter of the state’s school districts require personal finance education. This bill would expand that to all districts in the state, with students being required to complete one semester of financial literacy in order to graduate.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/republican-pressures-trump-official-fast-track-social-security-payments-2030309" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lawmaker Pressures Officials to Fast Track Social Security Payments | Newsweek</a></h2>



<p>After the Social Security Administration (SSA) said it could take a year or more to implement the Social Security Fairness Act, at least one member of Congress is urging officials to find ways to speed up the process. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to the acting SSA commissioner calling the current timeline “unacceptable.” The agency says it is dealing with a shortage of staff and funding as it works to implement the new law.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2025/02/18/colorado-tax-returns-filing-department-revenue-delay/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado Tax Return Delay: State to Begin Processing Individual Returns | The Denver Post</a></h2>



<p>The Colorado Department of Revenue says it will begin processing tax returns this week following a delay. A spokesperson said the department had to delay accepting returns in order to implement a number of significant changes to tax law.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/11/fed-chair-powell-says-central-bank-doesnt-need-to-be-in-a-hurry-to-lower-interest-rates-further.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed Chair Powell Says Central Bank Doesn&#8217;t &#8216;Need to be in a Hurry&#8217; to Lower Interest Rates Further | CNBC</a></h2>



<p>In testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told lawmakers the economy and job market are doing well and inflation remains above the Fed’s target of 2%. Because of those factors, he said he’s not in any hurry to lower interest rates further, as doing so too quickly could send inflation rising again.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: Bill Would Require Financial Literacy Course for Colorado Students


<p>The 2025 legislative session is well underway with more than 400 bills introduced so far.</p>



<p>To hear the latest from the State Capitol, we caught up with PERA Director of Public &amp; Government Affairs Michael Steppat, who meets regularly with lawmakers throughout the legislative process.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">Let’s start with a quick recap of the PERA-related bills we’ve seen so far and where they stand.</h2>



<p>So far this session, legislators have introduced six bills that affect PERA or our members. <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1052" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One of those bills</a>—which reintroduced last year’s bill to create a temporary tax credit for retirees—has already been defeated in committee.</p>



<p>The five bills that remain under consideration touch on a variety of topics. For example, <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-136" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SB25-136</a> would remove the state income tax deduction limit on pension income, and <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1150" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HB25-1150</a> would require a PERA member who’s convicted of a sex crime to forfeit part of their benefits.</p>



<p>Two of the bills—<a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SB25-028</a> and <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-147" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SB25-147</a>—propose changes to state law that in many cases codify work PERA and the PERA Board are already doing. That includes things such as financial studies and reporting, video streaming Board meetings and posting meeting materials online. As a mission-driven organization, transparency is important to the work we do, and we appreciate working with the Legislature to ensure all stakeholders have the information they need.</p>



<p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/2025-proposed-pera-related-legislation-status" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Proposed PERA-Related Legislation Status</a></p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">Writing the State’s budget is always an important part of the legislative session; how’s that process going this year?</h2>



<p>Lawmakers began the session with a challenging budget situation—a shortfall of nearly $700 million. There have also been some questions about whether anything in Washington, DC will affect the hundreds of millions of dollars Colorado receives from the federal government. Throughout the budget writing process, lawmakers are keeping a close eye on any potential impacts to the state budget.</p>



<p>The Legislature will release its budget proposal, known as the “long bill,” in March and finalize it in April. While the state budget doesn’t determine PERA’s budget or the payment of benefits, we’ll keep an eye out for anything that might affect PERA or PERA employers down the line.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">Do any of the changes in the federal government, such as staffing reductions and spending freezes, affect PERA?</h2>



<p>PERA does not receive federal funding and so far, none of the changes in the federal government have any direct impact on PERA. All of our funding comes from employee and employer contributions, investment returns, and an annual $225 million direct distribution from the state. PERA benefits are paid from the PERA trust funds and are not subject to federal funding or programs.</p>



<p>The Colorado General Assembly created PERA and remains in charge of things like benefit provisions and legislative oversight. While the federal government has limited jurisdiction over public retirement plans like PERA, it does oversee other benefits PERA members and retirees may receive, such as Medicare and Social Security.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">Speaking of Social Security, what’s the latest on the Social Security Fairness Act and the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)?</h2>



<p>Since the Social Security Fairness Act <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/president-biden-signs-wep-gpo-repeal-bill-into-law">became law in early January</a>, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been working to figure out how it will implement all the necessary changes and recalculate retiree benefits. That could take some time under the best of circumstances, since it’s a complicated issue with millions of affected beneficiaries.</p>



<p>The SSA said it’s been under a hiring freeze since November so it’s working with limited staff, and that’s likely to cause a delay in implementing the law. If we see further reductions in the SSA workforce, it’s possible the delay could stretch even further. Only time will tell, and we’re keeping an eye out for any updates or developments from SSA.</p>



<p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/social-security-fairness-act-rollout-could-take-a-year-or-more" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Security Fairness Act Rollout Could Take A Year or More</a></p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">What’s the best way to stay up to date throughout the session?</h2>



<p>We post regular updates here on <em>PERA On The Issues</em>, so <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subscribing to the biweekly newsletter</a> is a great way to receive the latest news in your inbox. The legislative session will run through early May, and we’ll be sure to let everyone know about any new bills that come up between now and then.</p>


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