SS/SCS/HS/HB 1455 - The act revises provisions relating to various public retirement systems.

CERF (Section 50.1020) - All new hires of the counties will pay a 4% of compensation contribution for employees hired on or after February 25, 2002. The contribution may be paid either by the county or the employee, at the election of the county. (Section 50.1040) - Allows an optional contribution, at the option of the county, for members of CERF not to exceed 4% for non-LAGERS employees. The contribution shall be paid by the member.

ACCRUAL OF SICK LEAVE - (Section 217.665) The act provides that any active member of the board of probation and parole who accrued unused sick leave prior to July 1, 2000, shall not be denied the use or ability to have that unused sick leave credited toward retirement. This provision affects members of the Board of Probation and Parole and certain Directors of State agencies as a result of the implementation of Section 105.950.

ST. LOUIS CITY POLICE RETIREMENT - Changes the method of calculation of average final compensation for members who earn creditable service on or after October 1, 2001. It also includes transportation fringe benefits as "earnable compensation". Any chairman of the board of trustees may serve without term limitations. Payments from DROP accounts to survivors will be made in a lump sum within 60 days after receipt of proof of death. The act also clarifies interest payments on DROP distributions. The act addresses eligible rollovers of benefits. These provisions are similar to HB 2144 (2002).

ST. LOUIS CITY FIREFIGHTERS RETIREMENT - This act allows a firefighter to terminates employment with five or more years of service but less than twenty years to apply at age 62 for a service retirement allowance. The method of calculation and payment to survivors is indicated. The act also provides for a minimum monthly benefit for surviving spouses of $525 and for members $625. The act also removes restrictions on retirement increases which have previously been limited by the Consumer Price Index. Effective May 1, 2002, upon proof of death in the line of duty a widow will receive a retirement allowance equal to 70% of the pay for the next highest step above the member's range at the time of death.

BACK DROP FOR STATE EMPLOYEES - This act allows a retiree to elect to take any portion of the eligible service for the back DROP in 12-month increments.

This portion is contained in SCS/SB 1133 (2002).

HEHPRS: Employee leave taken by an employee without compensation pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act may be counted as continuous service. The board is authorized to contract for provision of disability benefits to members.

The act modifies payments and method of calculation to survivors, including surviving spouses and children under the age of twenty-one.

The act clarifies that any payments from the HEHPRS retirement system shall be subject to the collection of child support or spousal maintenance. The Highway Commission may contract with others for the provision of health and death benefits.

This portion is contained in SCS/SB 1133 (2002).

MSEP and MSEP 2000: Employees who have forfeited credited service may restore the forfeited service upon continuous employment for one year.

The act revises provisions relating to reemployment of retired members. Benefits would cease upon being hired in a position requiring at least 1000 hours per year and the employee would be considered a new employee with no previous creditable service accruing additional creditable service. The retiree would then receive an additional retirement benefit for the additional creditable retirement upon retirement. The original annuity and the additional annuity shall be paid commencing one month after termination of employment. A retired member who becomes employed in a position covered by the Highways and Transportation Employees' and Highway Patrol Retirement System after August 28, 2001, shall not receive retirement benefits or accrue additional creditable service from MOSERS.

Eligible members who terminate employment and retire within 60 days are eligible for $5,000 life insurance. Beneficiaries are allowed to assign life insurance proceeds. Reporting of sick leave is clarified for reporting to MOSERS. Members are allowed to designate a beneficiary for a final payment of a retirement benefit.

This portion is contained in SCS/SB 1133 (2002).

MSEP: Members who terminate employment on or after September 1, 2002, will no longer have the option of cashing out of the system.

This portion is contained in SCS/SB 1133 (2002).

MSEP 2000: The act defines responsibilities and obligations for persons employed by the Board to administer disability benefits and establishes appeals procedures. Employees may not receive creditable service in MSEP or MSEP 2000 for period in which the employee participated in a defined contribution plan of a college or university.

The beneficiary of any member who purchased creditable service shall receive a refund upon the members death and the method for calculation of the refund is provided.

The act changes the number of bienniums necessary for retirement eligibility for members of the General Assembly. Currently members must serve two full bienniums. The act changes this service requirement to three full bienniums.

This portion is contained in SCS/SB 1133 (2002).

JUDGES: Any judge who was a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of a Circuit Court prior to August 28, 1999, who has creditable service in MSEP and the judicial plan may consolidate the service under either plan or draw separate retirement benefits from each. This portion is contained in SCS/SB 1133 (2002).

TRANSFERS OF SERVICE: Any person who has transferred service pursuant to Section 104.800 may elect to make an additional transfer of service prior to retirement. In no event shall the transfer of service exceed eight years. This portion is contained in SCS/SB 1133 (2002).

ALL PENSION PLANS - All public pension plans are required to biennially prepare an actuarial valuation that complies with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board recommended standards and guidelines for public sector pension plans. This portion is similar to HB 1674 (2002).

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY - (Section 104.1093) - Allows for the designation of an agent, for a retired member who becomes incapacitated where there has been no designation of a durable power of attorney.

This act contains an emergency clause.
CINDY KADLEC