Several state lawmakers will be playing the role of Santa this year by donating their annual cost-of-living salary increases to charity.

Others plan to return the money to the state.Legislators on Tuesday were given a 1.6 percent cost-of-living salary increase, bringing their annual base pay to $85,356.The increase is determined by a formula using the federal consumer price index for the Mid-Atlantic states, which includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.The $1,344 increase is automatic. Some local officials will donate the money back to the treasury; some will keep it.One, state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, told the Times-Tribune he's keeping his. Efforts to reach Tobash were unsuccessful Tuesday.Regardless, the extra income will bump up lawmakers' pensions. That's important, because as increasing numbers of state and school employees retire, the state is struggling with an underfunded accrued pension liability that hit $47 billion this year.A study by Pew Charitable Trusts estimates that amount to grow to $65 billion by 2019.But lawmakers can't reject the added income, even if they return or donate it."They have to accept the raise. They can choose to keep or have it reduced. Regardless of that decision, taxes and pension calculations are based upon the higher amount," said Gov. Tom Corbett's press secretary Jay Pagni.State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122, also routinely donates his cost-of-living increase to local charities.State Rep. Rosemary Brown, R-189, will also donate the money."By law all lawmakers must accept the COLA. For the first term, I returned my yearly COLA to the state by writing a check back," she said."I now donate to charity in my local area, one example would be that I support and provide a dinner to the participants of the Bridges out of Poverty program. This is a tremendous program that I believe offers the education and tools to help local people move forward in a more positive direction in their lives."State Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, said he'll donate the money to charity, as in the past."I voted against and did not accept the legislative pension hike. I also voted against and did not accept the legislative pay raise," he said."I submit receipts for actual expenses and do not accept per diems," Yudichak said.Yudichak has in the past donated his annual cost-of-living increases to local charities."I plan to continue my charitable efforts as much as personal family obligations permit. I believe my record reflects that I strive to be accountable to taxpayers at every opportunity, whether it is a vote on legislative reform or the day-to-day execution of my legislative duties," he said.State Rep. Julie Harhart, R-183, said, "What I've traditionally been doing is to give it to different charities."State Sen. Lisa M. Boscola, D-18, will also give away the money."I voted against the pay raise and the pension enhancements and have not accepted them. As I have done in the past, I will donate my cost of living increase to charity," she said.State Rep. elect Jack Rader Jr., R-176 said he also plans to donate his increases to charity.State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rep. Neal Goodman, D-23, and state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, both said they'd return their increases to the state treasury.Argall said he'll be giving it back to the treasury as he has done in previous years."As I have in the past, I'm returning it to to the state treasury," Goodman said.Knowles said he'll be giving the money back "because I think it's the right thing to do."