To provide a 5% cost of living increase for state retirees who make under $60,000 per year

HB 2521 provides a one-time cost-of-living supplement to West Virginia state retirees with annual retirement benefits under $75,000. To qualify, retirees must be at least 65 years old and have been retired for five or more consecutive years as of July 1, 2026. The supplement equals 10% of their annual benefit amount below $75,000, paid as a single lump sum. This policy change specifically affects lower-income retirees under the state retirement system who meet the age and tenure requirements, effective July 2026. The bill does not create ongoing annual increases but offers a one-time adjustment to retirement benefits.