Budget & Taxes (Pensions)

Extends eligibility for supplemental pension benefits and incentive increases to employee beneficiaries of the state police 1987 benefit system. (Current law provides eligibility to employee beneficiaries under the state police pre-1987 benefit system.) Modifies the: (1) terms of eligibility for; and (2) calculation of; supplemental pension benefits and incentive increases. Provides that first time payments of and increases to supplemental pension benefits shall be paid or commence beginning in July of each year. Makes changes to the definition of a "school resource officer" for provisions relating to the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund (1977 fund). Provides that a school police department may participate in the 1977 fund. Establishes requirements for establishing a local board for school police departments. Provides that an appointing authority shall waive the age restriction for a school resource officer for purposes of the 1977 fund if certain conditions are met. Provides that a school corporation or charter school that employs a school resource officer must enter into a contract or memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency for the purpose of complying with the reporting and payment requirements for purposes of the 1977 fund. Makes conforming amendments.

Provides for an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for participants of the prosecuting attorneys retirement fund based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Requires the state to make contributions after December 31, 2026, that match, dollar for dollar, each state employee's deferred compensation contributions, not to exceed $28 per paycheck. Specifies limitations on state contributions, including the availability of biennial appropriations. Allows in certain circumstances the budget agency to suspend contributions, resume contributions, and make contributions that were missed due to suspension. Specifies a process by which portions of the funding sources for the retirement medical benefits account must be transferred to the state comptroller for the purpose of making matching contributions. Provides as a default rule that after December 31, 2026, each participant's membership in the retirement medical benefits account is terminated, participant subaccounts are forfeited, and subaccount amounts must be transferred to the state general fund. Specifies exceptions. Requires the state comptroller to transfer certain amounts from the state general fund to each participant's defined contribution plan. Specifies a time frame within which a participant in the retirement medical benefits account may elect to remain a participant. Establishes the 2027 retiree health benefit trust. Provides that the retiree health benefit trust fund will be terminated when certain conditions are met. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)