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SPONSOR: | Lyons | DATE TYPED: | 01/31/00 | HB | |||
SHORT TITLE: | Amend Volunteer Firefighters Retirement Act | SB | 63 | ||||
ANALYST: | Eaton |
Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
FY00 | FY01 | FY00 | FY01 | ||
See Narrative |
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Subsequent
Years Impact |
Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||
FY00 | FY01 | |||
See Narrative |
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
This bill increases the age limit for retirement eligibility for volunteer firefighters listed on member rolls, whose first year of service credit was accumulated between ages 16 and 60. Current law cuts off eligibility at age 45.
Significant Issues
By increasing the eligibility from 45 to 60 years for the cutoff age for retirement, the number of persons eligible for benefits under the Volunteer Firefighters Retirement Act would also increase.
The Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Plan is currently underfunded. At present, the fund needs at least $3,350.0 to be adequately funded at current benefit levels. The PERA states that the fiscal year 1999 actuarial study was to be requested after demographic information and funds to pay for the study were received by the state fire marshal and the affected volunteer fire departments.
The PERA believes this legislation was proposed to address a recurring allegation of age discrimination raised by some volunteer firefighters and others have raised. PERA was recently sued in federal district court on this very issue. PERA's attorneys anticipate (hope) that the suit will be dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.
PERA offers no alternatives or amendments to this bill at this time.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
JE/gm