THE AMOUNT withdrawn from paychecks for PERS II and SERS II pension plans will increase in coming months.

On July 1, 2005, the rates for PERS II will increase from 1.18 percent to 2.25 percent. In July 2006 the rate will increase to 3.5 percent.

From September 1, 2005 the rates on SERS II will go from 1.18 percent to 2.75 percent.

“They were scheduled to rise even more,” says Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson. “These bills are coming due and we are going to see increases in our rates — and we should see them or else the plans will be under-funded.

“The more the rates stay down now, the more they will rise later.”