Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Appropriations Committee |
HB 2693
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Increasing the mandatory retirement age for Washington state patrol officers.
Sponsors: Representatives Volz, Lovick, Schmick, Orwall, Irwin, Holy, Maycumber, Buys, Muri, Hargrove, Condotta and Stanford.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/22/18
Staff: David Pringle (786-7310).
Background:
The Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS) provides retirement benefits to the 1,010 active and 1,078 retired commissioned officers of the Washington State Patrol. There are two tiers of benefits within the WSPRS, one for officers commissioned before January 1, 2003, and another for those commissioned on or after January 1, 2003.
There are a variety of differences between the two tiers of benefits in the WSPRS, including the period over which average salary is calculated and credit for prior military service credit; however, members of both benefit tiers are eligible to retire at either age 55 or with 25 years of service credit. Any member except the Chief of the Washington State Patrol must retire on the first day of the calendar month following the month that he or she reaches 65 years of age. In 2007 the mandatory retirement age for members of the WSPRS was increased from age 60 to age 65.
For members of the WSPRS tier 1, also referred to as Plan 1, a member who earns 25 years of service credit is eligible for up to five years of military service credit for periods served prior to the member's WSPRS service. At retirement, a Plan 1 member eligible for this prior military service credit adds these years to the years of WSPRS service that are then multiplied by 2 percent of a member's average final salary to calculate the member's benefit. Members of WSPRS tier 2 or Plan 2 are not eligible for this prior, or non-interruptive, military service credit benefit.
Summary of Bill:
The mandatory retirement age for members of the Washington State Patrol Retirement System is increased from age 65 to age 68.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2018.