Committee hears proposal to restore pre‑2011 pension features for public safety tiers; legal challenge noted

The Committee of Conference on the biennial budget heard an extended presentation and discussion about proposed changes to the state retirement system for “group 2” public‑safety employees.

Senator Jeff Gray presented language that would restore a 2.5 percent multiplier for certain members of the system on a phased schedule. He told the committee that the amendments were intended to limit first‑biennium costs to roughly $13–$15 million per year by phasing restorations for different cohorts of workers.

Why it matters: The retirement changes would affect pension benefits for firefighters, police officers and other covered employees. Any change alters the system’s unfunded actuarial liability and could increase employer contribution requirements for municipalities and state employers.

What presenters told the committee

- Senator Jeff Gray (sponsor): Gray described a two‑step approach: partial restorations in the first biennium with additional restorations in the second biennium for different tiers (tier b and tier c public‑safety members). He also advised the committee he had received…