The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 2497 which in addition to smoothing out the pension spike makes a number of changes to the retirement system for employees hired after July 1, 2011. Among the changes will be vesting changing to 10 years from five, prohibiting employees from taking lump sum payments at retirement and requiring additional contributions to maintain the 2.5% multiplier. The bill moves to the Senate were it is expected to be taken up next week.