Commissioners approved a motion on Jan. 14 to notify the Maine retirement authority (as described in the meeting transcript) and begin the actuarial study required to place FOP members into the state retirement plan.

HR staff explained the process to commissioners: once the county submits the required language to the retirement agency, the actuarial study takes approximately 30 days, and—if the agency agrees—the effective date for the change could be retroactive to Jan. 1. HR staff said they had informed the FOP state representative that the county was resuming the required steps to complete the transfer and the representative had been notified.

The commissioners moved, seconded and voted 'aye' to approve the notice language and begin the actuarial study.

Quote: "Once she has this agreement from you all, she'll start that actuarial study, which takes about 30 days," HR staff said, referencing a county contact at the retirement agency.

What’s next: HR will submit the approved language and coordinate with the retirement agency to initiate the actuarial study; staff will return with any follow‑up items needed to complete plan changes and implementation.