SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 5880

               As Passed Senate, March 14, 1995

Title:  An act relating to retirement in order to care for a disabled spouse.

Brief Description:  Authorizing retirement to care for a disabled spouse.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Spanel and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  3/3/95, 3/6/95 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/14/95, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5880 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Bauer, Drew, Finkbeiner, Fraser, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Johnson, Long, Moyer, Pelz, Roach, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Strannigan, Sutherland, West, Winsley and Wojahn.

Staff:  Denise Graham (786-7715)

Background:  A member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Plan I can retire after 30 years of service at any age, after 25 years of service at age 55 and after five  years of service at age 60. 

Summary of Bill:  A member of the Public Employee's Retirement System Plan I who has at least 20 years of service and whose spouse is mentally or physically incapacitated may retire early if the incapacity is likely to be permanent, the spouse needs 24 hour in-home care and the member submits an application for retirement by July 1, 1995.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill would help an employee of Mount Vernon whose wife has M.S.  The member wants to be able to retire so that he can take care of his wife.  Otherwise, they are not sure how they can afford to have her cared for.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, prime sponsor.

House Amendment(s):  The House amendment provides an actuarially reduced benefit.  The Senate bill provides a benefit that is not actuarially reduced.