Retired Public Employees of Idaho
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Retired Public Employees of Idaho
Home | What We Do | Why We’re Here | Who We Are | Join | News | Volunteer | Contact
Dear RPEI Members,
We are disappointed to report our petition to the Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho Board of Directors to reconsider its 2.7 percent cost of living increase for 2026 has gone unacknowledged.
On December 22, RPEI Board Member Chris Rich wrote PERSI Board Chairman Jeff Cliek requesting a 4.5 percent cost of living increase and provided the rationale for why it was both fiscally responsible and possible.
To date, nor the PERSI Board or staff have responded to our request in writing or orally. You can read our letter on the RPEI website https://rpei.info/ under the “news” tab
“We are disappointed that the Retirement Board did not acknowledge or respond to our letter requesting reconsideration of its cost-of-living recommendation,” Lance Nickerson, an RPEI Board Member, said.
“The letter raised substantive concerns that directly affect retirees and deserved thoughtful review and engagement. A transparent and responsive process is essential, particularly when decisions have significant financial implications for those who rely on their retirement benefits,” Nickerson continued.
“The absence of any acknowledgment undermines confidence that these concerns were given due consideration. We are respectfully urging the PERSI Board through a copy of this email to address the issues raised and to reaffirm its commitment to open communication and fair deliberation on matters affecting retirees.”
October 30, 2025
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jeff Stratten
[email protected]
Retired Public Employees of Idaho RPEI forms to protect and strengthen Idaho public employees’ retirement pensions
BOISE – The newly formed Retired Public Employees of Idaho (RPEI) will work to protect and strengthen the Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI).
“Public employees in Idaho pay mandatory payroll deductions into the PERSI pension program every payday throughout their careers. The pensions they have earned provide critical retirement security for Idaho’s current and future retirees,” Mike Masterson, spokesperson for the Retired Public Employees of Idaho (RPEI), said. “Eighty five percent of PERSI
retirees live in Idaho and receive 89 percent of the benefit payments. That money is reinvested into Idaho’s economy.”
The organization’s primary objective is to restore the annual inflation protecting Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Idaho’s retired public employees. The PERSI pension increases have been significantly lower than Inflation according to RPEI.
“From August 2019 to August 2024, inflation rose more than 22 percent, the social security cost of living rose 25 percent, but the Idaho retirement benefit rose only 8 percent during the same period,” he said.
“At the same time, the S&P 500 grew more than 90 percent. The 2024 Idaho discretionary COLA increase was .3 percent. Something isn’t right.”
The RPEI is asking why Idaho’s public employees are not getting the return on their investment that they should and will work to do something about it. It is inviting all PERSI participants to join the group at rpei.info.”
The RPEI plans to work closely with the PERSI Board and the Idaho Legislature. It plans to additionally focus on:
• Supporting legislative action for the appointment of a retiree member on the PERSI Board to ensure that retiree interests are represented;
• Encouraging transparency and public input, including regular town halls between PERSI, public employees, and retirees.
“Idaho’s public employees have spent their careers protecting our communities, educating our children, providing health care and building roads,” Masterson said. “Our goal is to provide a secure retirement now and for future generations.”
There are more than 190,000 PERSI members with more than 56,000 currently receiving pension benefits.
For more information about the RPEI and to join this effort, go to rpei.info.
Organizing members of RPEI include:
• Mike Masterson – Former Chief of Police, Boise
• Lynn Anderson – Former Economist, Idaho Public Utilities Commission
• Dave High – Former Chief of Civil Litigation, Idaho Attorney General’s Office
• Lance Nickerson – Former Boise Police Officer
• Chris Rich – Former Ada County Clerk
• Michele Chadwick– Former Gem County Commissioner
• Robert McQuade – Former Ada County Assessor
• Bob Fick – Former Communications Manager, Idaho Department of Labor
• Bob Cooper – Former Deputy Director for Marketing, Idaho Lottery Commission
• Jeff Stratten – Former Public Information Officer, Idaho Transportation Department