OPRI continues to hear from retirees who are seeing their Income Tax Remedy benefits eliminated when they inadvertently are unable to certify residency with PERS. This is why OPRI has introduced House Bill 2867. This bill would more quickly reinstate Tax Remedy Payments for retirees who are unable to timely confirm their Oregon residency prior to the December 31 deadline.
Current law only allows retirees to establish their residency once in December prior to the new benefit year starting January 1st. If for any reason a member does not establish residency at that time, payments are reduced for a full year, until residency can be re-established again the following year.
The average PERS benefit is about $30,000 per year. The tax remedy accounts for 5-6% of this benefit – a significant amount for retirees on fixed incomes.
HB 2867 would allow PERS retirees an opportunity to certify residency every quarter rather than only once a year, helping PERS retirees more quickly re-establish residency and maintain full benefits.
OPRI thanks Representative Paul Evans (D-Monmouth) for introducing HB 2867.
HB 2867 has been referred to the House Committee on Business and Labor. A public hearing for this bill has been scheduled for hearing in the House Business Committee for next Monday, March 22.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Legislators on the House Committee on Business and Labor need to hear from you on the importance of this bill. Reach out to legislators through email or a phone call to their office and ask them to support House Bill 2867 and protects the full benefits of PERS retirees.
Committee Members to Contact
Committee Chair: Representative Paul
Holvey
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1408
Email:Rep.PaulHolvey@oregonlegislature.gov
Committee Vice Chair: Representative Daniel Bonham
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1459
Email:Rep.DanielBonham@oregonlegislature.gov
Committee Vice Chair: Representative – Dacia Grayber
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1435
Email:Rep.DaciaGrayber@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative
Shelly Boshart Davis
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1415
Email:Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative
Vikki Breese Iverson
Capitol Phone:503-986-1455
Email:rep.vikkibreeseiverson@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative
Janelle Bynum
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1451
Email:Rep.JanelleBynum@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative Brian
L. Clem
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1421
Email:Rep.BrianClem@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative
Paul Evans
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1420
Email:rep.paulevans@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative
Julie Fahey
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1414
Email:Rep.JulieFahey@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative
Bill Post
Capitol Phone:503-986-1425
Email:rep.billpost@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative
Brad Witt
Capitol Phone:503-986-1431
Email:Rep.BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov
If you have any questions or would like to share your story of how you were impacted by the Tax Remedy Payment, reach out to OPRI at (503) 363-7084 or info@opri.org.
