HD66 - The Feasibility and Effects of Raising the Retirement Allowance and the Implications of Removing the Age Requirements for Members of the State Police Officers' Retirement System

  • Published: 1994
  • Author: Division of Legislative Services
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 625 (Regular Session, 1993)

Executive Summary:
The 1993 Session of the General Assembly, pursuant to House Joint Resolution No.625, requested that the Division of legislative Services analyze the following issues:

I. The feasibility and effects of increasing the retirement allowance of members of the State Police Officers' Retirement System ("SPORS") and police officers employed by certain local governments from 1.65 to 2.00 percent of average final compensation; and

II. The implications of removing the "age cap" and allowing law-enforcement officers to retire, at any age, with 25 years of creditable service.

This study, along with three others' represents a new, information-seeking approach adopted by the Joint Rules Committee. Accordingly, a formal subcommittee was not established. Because the study involves a fairly narrow and technical subject, the Division of Legislative Services, the legal and research arm of the General Assembly, was assigned to study the subject and, report directly to the Joint Rules Committee with its findings. The objective of the study is to present research and statistical data on the subject without reaching definitive policy conclusions or making specific recommendations. This process allows the Joint Rules Committee to have the benefit of the information in formulating legislative policy decisions, without necessitating their presence at numerous fact-finding meetings.