2019 -- H 5371

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LC000123

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - CENTRAL FALLS RETIREE PENSION BENEFITS

     Introduced By: Representatives McLaughlin, Lombardi, Hull, Jackson, and Maldonado

     Date Introduced: February 08, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-21 of the General Laws entitled "Retirement of Municipal

Employees" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     45-21-67.1. Gradual increase of pension benefits for Central Falls retirees.

     (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 45-21-67:

     (1) Effective September 1, 2019, each Central Falls retiree covered by the terms of the

settlement agreement enacted pursuant to § 45-21-67 shall receive seventy-five and one-half

percent (75.5%) of their base pension benefit (as such term is defined in § 45-21-67(a)), after

taking into account all applicable cost-of-living adjustments for their lifetime, and to the extent

applicable, after taking into account all applicable cost-of-living adjustments to their beneficiaries

for their lifetime;

     (2) Effective September 1, 2020, each Central Falls retiree covered by the terms of the

settlement agreement enacted pursuant to § 45-21-67 shall receive seventy-six percent (76%) of

their base pension benefit (as such term is defined in § 45-21-67(a)), after taking into account all

applicable cost-of-living adjustments for their lifetime, and to the extent applicable, after taking

into account all applicable cost-of-living adjustments to their beneficiaries for their lifetime;

     (3) Effective September 1, 2021, each Central Falls retiree covered by the terms of the

settlement agreement enacted pursuant to § 45-21-67 shall receive seventy-six and one-half

percent (76.5%) of their base pension benefit (as such term is defined in § 45-21-67(a)), after

taking into account all applicable cost-of-living adjustments for their lifetime, and to the extent

applicable, after taking into account all applicable cost-of-living adjustments to their beneficiaries

for their lifetime;

     (4) Effective September 1, 2022, each Central Falls retiree covered by the terms of the

settlement agreement enacted pursuant to § 45-21-67 shall receive seventy-seven percent (77%)

of their base pension benefit (as such term is defined in § 45-21-67(a)), after taking into account

all applicable cost-of-living adjustments for their lifetime, and to the extent applicable, after

taking into account all applicable cost-of-living adjustments to their beneficiaries for their

lifetime; and

     (5) Effective September 1, 2023 and continuing each year thereafter, each Central Falls

retiree covered by the terms of the settlement agreement enacted pursuant to § 45-21-67 shall

receive seventy-seven and one-half percent (77.5%) of their base pension benefit (as such term is

defined in § 45-21-67(a)), after taking into account all applicable cost-of-living adjustments for

their lifetime, and to the extent applicable, after taking into account all applicable cost-of-living

adjustments to their beneficiaries for their lifetime.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - CENTRAL FALLS RETIREE PENSION BENEFITS

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     This act would provide that, effective September 1, 2019, all Central Falls retirees

covered by the Central Falls retirees' settlement agreement would have their pension benefits

gradually increased during a five (5) year period from the current base of seventy-five percent

(75%) to seventy-seven and one-half percent (77.5%) of their base pension benefit amount as of

July 31, 2011, after taking into account all applicable cost-of-living adjustments for their

lifetimes, and to the extent applicable, for the lives of their beneficiaries.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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