SCS/HB 331 - This act modifies provisions in retirement systems of certain political subdivisions: County Employees' Retirement System, St. Louis Police Retirement System, and Kansas City Police and Civilian Retirement Systems. This act also excludes certain deferred compensation plan contributions from city earnings tax.

COUNTY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

The Board shall correct errors involving the payment of retirement benefits, which may include paying out when there is an underpayment or recovering when there is an overpayment.

Knowingly making false statements or records to defraud the system is subject to fine or imprisonment.

The Board shall stop paying benefits to a survivor or beneficiary charged with intentionally killing a member without justification. Once convicted, such person is no longer entitled to benefits. The Board shall resume payments, and pay any withheld, if the person is not convicted.

ST. LOUIS POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

This act would modify portions of the St. Louis Police Retirement System.

The cap on total percentage increases for the service retirement allowance would be raised from 25% to 30%.

This act specifies the calculation of a member's annual benefit may be based on taxable compensation.

Certain members who retire due to an accidental disability may be repaid the total amount of their contribution, without interest.

KANSAS CITY POLICE AND CIVILIAN RETIREMENT.

This act revises portions of the Kansas City Police Retirement System and the Kansas City Police Department Civilian Employees' Retirement System.

KANSAS CITY POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM. Time in which a member is suspended without pay does not count when determining final compensation and service credit. This act removes the 2- year marriage requirement.

This act makes various changes to disability benefits. The Board of police commissioners must determine eligibility in the KC Police Retirement System. The pension ceases when the member is no longer totally and permanently incapacitated for duty disability.

Non-duty disability members must submit to periodic medical examinations until age 60 or lose benefits. If one or more medical board member certifies that the member is no longer totally and permanently disabled and the retirement board agrees, the pension ceases.

The duty death benefit is increased to $50,000. Payments would no longer be terminated if the surviving spouse dies or remarries before all payments are made.

A terminated member may opt to elect lump-sum return of contributions in lieu of any other benefits.

KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. There are similar provisions governing suspensions without pay. The normal pension (2% of final compensation times years of service) applies without reduction for spousal benefits. The age 60 requirement for non-duty disability benefits is removed. Supplemental retirement health insurance benefits applies to all retired civilians and surviving spouses.

HANCOCK.

This act allows the Board of Trustees of any police retirement system or the political subdivision funding the retirement system to go to court to determine if there will be a Hancock problem (new or increased activity or service) with this act. If there is a Hancock problem, the act is void from the beginning.

ST. LOUIS, KANSAS CITY AND ST. JOSEPH EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX.

This act excludes deferred compensation plan contributions (including salary reduction plans, cafeteria plans and other similar plans), which are not subject to Missouri State Income Tax, from St. Louis City, Kansas City and St. Joseph earnings taxes.
MARGARET J. TOALSON