Eligible probation officers and emergency call workers receive retirement plans

The law provides separate retirement plans for eligible state and local probation officers and public safety telecommunicators. The plans cover specified state and local probation officers and public safety telecommunicators, including some employees who supervise covered workers. Job duties and required employer certifications determine eligibility; some employees who already meet the stated age and service test are excluded. The plans require employee and employer contributions. Members need at least three years of service to be vested, which means having a right to keep a future benefit. The plans and related coverage provisions take effect January 1, 2027.

Covered employers must enroll eligible workers in the Secure Choice savings program and start payroll deductions unless a worker opts out. These rules cover eligible workers and employers in the Secure Choice program. Workers may choose not to contribute or change or stop their contributions. Deductions begin after the 30-day waiting period. The board may allow people without a covered employer to contribute directly; it must allow home and community-based services workers to join within 12 months after the program opens. The provisions take effect the day after final enactment. The 30-day waiting period starts when a worker is enrolled.

A firefighter who returns to active service may qualify for a service pension for the original service, the return period, or both, depending on prior benefits. These rules cover firefighters returning to service with the fire department connected to their relief association. The firefighter must return to active membership if the relief association's bylaws allow it; the bylaws may set service or vesting rules. A firefighter who has received a pension or disability benefit must wait at least 60 days before returning. A firefighter cannot receive a pension twice for the same service. This section takes effect January 1, 2027.