Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the HPRS Survivor Benefits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Retirement Study Council adopts changes to Highway Patrol survivor benefits, raises child payment
Summary
The council approved an amendment standardizing future‑spouse eligibility and increasing Highway Patrol child survivor payments from $150 to $225 (plus $5 annually) and extending eligibility to age 19; the measure passed on a roll call with Representative Brennan voting no.
The Retirement Study Council on Oct. 9 approved an amendment to Highway Patrol Retirement System survivor-benefit rules that standardizes eligibility for future spouses and raises child survivor payments.
Mister Bernard, presenting the generic amendment (g1350712-2), told the council the proposal has two parts: ‘‘the first is the standardization of the treatment of future spouses’’ and the second revises child survivor benefits. The amendment would treat all future marriages the same irrespective of when the member retired, eliminating a grandfathering rule that had differentiated spouses who married after a member’s retirement. Bernard said retirees may still elect a joint survivor annuity at retirement if they want a continuing benefit to a spouse.
On child survivor benefits, the amendment increases the monthly payment from $150 to $225, adds an automatic $5 annual increase and extends eligibility to age 19 regardless of student status. Bernard told members the monthly system cost from these child-benefit changes would rise from $2,506 to $3,181. He said the child benefit change is a roughly 50% increase consistent with a similar adjustment made about 30 years ago and that the modest annual adjustment is intended to reduce the need for frequent future increases.
Representative Brennan pressed staff on individual circumstances and line-of-duty deaths, saying, ‘‘Whether I get married before or after I'm a public employee, my spouse should get a benefit.’’ Directors and staff explained that separate, robust benefits exist for line-of-duty deaths and that the amendment aims to treat future spouses consistently; staff also said members retain the option to elect a joint survivor annuity at retirement.
Miss Miller moved adoption of the staff recommendation; Doctor Pottingill seconded. The council conducted a roll-call vote. Representative Brennan recorded a ‘‘No’’; the motion carried.
The amendment was described as a generic amendment drafted for a prior General Assembly and will need redrafting before formal introduction as legislation. The council’s action directs staff to proceed consistent with the RSC recommendation.
The council’s next scheduled meeting is Nov. 13.
