Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Pensions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears changes to police pensions and retirement enhancements; union voices support
Summary
Council reviewed several pension and retirement plan changes including a new Plan D offering a COLA for future officers and a $60,000 retirement enhancement option for current members; the Lincoln Police Union urged approval and said the changes aid recruitment and retention.
Council heard multiple staffing and pension items aimed at modernizing retirement benefits for police and associated management groups.
Human Resources Director Barb McIntyre described updates to align city retirement provisions with Internal Revenue Code guidance and outlined a new "Plan D" for commissioned officers that will go into effect Sept. 1, 2027, offering a cost‑of‑living provision and changes to benefit maximums. McIntyre also described a $60,000 retirement enhancement that current members could allocate among a true COLA, deferred compensation contributions, or post‑employment health accounts.
Matt Franken, vice president of the Lincoln Police Union, testified in support, saying the changes would help recruit and retain officers: "Improving the retirement plans of Lincoln police officers is critically important to attracting new officers and maintaining current officers." Council members asked about retiree health care and spokespeople explained how the enhancement could be used for post‑employment health plan (PEP) accounts and that members may remain on city health insurance until Medicare eligibility.
Provenance: presentation and discussion (SEG 1843'03 1999), union testimony (SEG 1880'03 1923).
