SCS/HCS/HBs 152 & 180 - This act revises various provisions for public employee retirement.

KANSAS CITY POLICE RETIREMENT

This act revises certain provisions of the police retirement systems in Kansas City. The act makes the plans consistent with the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. A member's benefit shall be vested upon the earlier of completing 25 years of service, age 60 with 10 years of service, or age 70 regardless of years of service.

This act also allows members of the Kansas City Police Retirement System to receive their retirement benefits in a partial lump sum. The act allows members with at least 26 years of service to receive an optional distribution under a partial lump-sum option plan. Requirements to make the election are provided. The method for calculating the amount of the lump sum distribution is provided. If a member chooses a lump sum distribution the base pension amount will be reduced according to the provisions in the act.

The act changes the membership of the retirement board. The board will consist of five members. If the city has a civilian employees' retirement system, the five members will consist of one retired member of the police retirement system, one active member of the police retirement system, one member of the civilian employees' retirement system and two other members who are elected. If the city does not have a civilian employees' retirement system, the one member of the civilian employees' retirement system is replaced by another at large member. The method for election to these positions is specified.

These provisions are similar to SCS/SBs 212 & 220.

This act provides active members of the system who are on the retirement board with up to 10 days paid leave to be able to attend meetings and educational seminars approved by the retirement board.

The act authorizes the retirement board and the city to administer early retirement incentives offered to employees in addition to other benefits such members may be entitled to. However, the city shall agree to increase its contribution to provide for the full actuarial costs of the early retirement incentives.

The act also adds a funeral benefit of $1,000 for members as of August 28, 2003, who die in service or who die after retiring.

These provisions are similar to SCS/SBs 248, 100, 118, 233, 247, 341 & 420 and SB 341 (2003).

JOB-SHARING BY TEACHERS

This act would require the state board of education to adopt rules to facilitate job-sharing by teachers. Job-sharing is defined as a certificated employee who is sharing a position with one other employee, is employed by the district for at least 50% of the workweek, and is spending at least 70% of his or her time in classroom instruction. Teachers in job-sharing positions will receive holidays and leave on a pro rata basis. Certain positions are excluded from job-sharing positions.

Teachers in eligible job-sharing positions will accrue membership service for retirement at the rate of 1/2 year for each regular district year of employment. The contribution rate for job-sharing positions for retirement purposes is one-half the rate for a full-time teacher.

This provision is identical to SCS/SB 503 (2003).

CONTRIBUTION RATE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL RETIREMENT

The act authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Public School Retirement System and the Non-Teacher Retirement System to fix the contribution rate and certify the rate to the employer. The level rate of contribution for any fiscal year may not exceed the prior year's rate of contribution by more than one half percent. However, no new benefits may be offered until the rate of contribution is reduced back to 10 and one-half percent. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 233 and SCS/SBs 248, 100, 118, 233, 247, 341 & 420 (2003).
CINDY KADLEC