NEA speaks up for the rights of students. Browse recent messages to Congressional leadership, and add your voice.
Published: September 27, 2024
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NEARI Testimony in Pension Advisory Working Group
Submitted on November 30, 2023
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NEARI-Retired Testimony in Pension Advisory Working Group
Submitted on December 14, 2023
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NEARI Testimony in favor of S249
Submitted on May 7, 2025
Pension Relief Victory: We did this together!
Learn how NEARI members fought for and won pension relief in 2024.
June 2024
Pension Relief passed in the Rhode Island State Budget
Following months of NEARI members and allies calling on the state legislature to deliver pension relief, the General Assembly tackled the retirement issues by changing the pension calculation of benefits to use the highest three years of salary instead of five ("the 5-to-3 bill"), which impacts every one of our active members regardless of date of hire. Additionally, the COLA was restored for those who retired prior to 2012. Also, COLA restoration for all others will now go into effect when the pension fund is 75 percent funded instead of 80 percent.
April 25, 2024
NEARI testifies to support pension relief for active and retired members
NEARI Lobbyist Erich Haslehurst testified on multiple retirement bills before a joint HouseEducation & Finance hearing. In his testimony, Eric shares how NEARI is on record supporting pension relief for active and retired members. In fact, over the last many months, NEARI has publicly supported nearly every pension bill heard at the General Assembly! Watch the recorded testimony.
April 11, 2024
Pension improvement bills submitted at the General Assembly
Representative Jay Edwards and Senator Walter Felag submitted legislation in their respective chambers to address pension relief for Rhode Island teachers and municipal and state employees. Both bills put forward the 5 to 3 average salary change in how an employee in the ERSRI has their pension benefit calculated (keep reading for details on 5 to 3 and why NEARI recommends it as the 2024 strategy toward increasing pension benefits for all active members in the ERSRI system).
February 6, 2024
NEARI members advocate at Lobby Day
When more than 120 NEARI members came to the State House to advocate for strong public education and good jobs for all, they urged legislators to support legislation for pension relief.
December 2023
NEARI Retired testifies at Pension Advisory Group hearing
NEARI-Retired President Ray Pouliot testified in the Pension Advisory Working Group Session Three on behalf of NEARI Retired members. You can watch his testimony here.
November 2023
NEARI testifies at Pension Advisory Group hearing
Executive Director Mary Barden and Vice President Amy Mullen testified at the second session of the Pension Advisory Working Group empaneled by General Treasurer James Diossa. Watch the testimony here.
Bills in the Legislature
Learn NEARI's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
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Support
HB7161 - Relating to Teacher Retirement webserver.rilegislature.gov
Introduced on January 16, 2026
Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 2.89% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system. Companion bill: SB2362
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Support
SB2362 - Relating to Teachers' Retirement webserver.rilegislature.gov
Introduced on January 16, 2026
Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 2.89% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system. Companion bill: 7161
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Support
HB7053 - Relating to Teacher Retirement webserver.rilegislature.gov
Introduced on January 9, 2026
Amends the current law on teacher’s creditable service so that a teacher who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year would be given credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of one-hundred thirty-five school days.
Speak Up For Students and Public Schools
When we act together and raise our collective voice, we can improve the lives of children.
Our Voice = Our Power
When we unite and speak truth to power, we can have an enormous impact. That’s why our members join together to create a future where schools are funded, educators are supported, and students are thriving.
