2005 House Bill 4947

401k type pension for new school employees

Introduced in the House

June 15, 2005

Introduced by Rep. Brian Palmer (R-36)

To no longer provide the traditional “defined benefit” pension system for new school employees, and replace it with a “defined contribution” plan (401k type plan) that is essentially the same as what is now offered to state employees. Also, to establish a graduated post-retirement health care benefits system for new school employees, in which full benefits would go to those with 30 years of service, and proportionately smaller benefits to those with fewer years. The bill would not apply to current school employees, who would continue with their current retirement systems.

Referred to the Committee on Education

June 29, 2005

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 1, 2005

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that incorporates detail changes resulting from committee testimony and deliberation. This version was subsequently superceded by another substitute with more detail changes.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Bruce Caswell (R-58)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that would establish a "graduated” pension health benefits system for new school employees. School districts would pay 30 percent of the pension health benefit premium for an employee with 10 years on the job, 33 percent after 11 years on the job, etc., until 100 percent coverage was attained with 30 years of service.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Tom Pearce (R-73)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that creates a defined contribution pension system for new school employees, and allows current school employees to transfer into this system. The state would make a deposit into the new system of an amount calculated using actuarial analysis of the value of amount the employee has vested in the defined benefit system.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Bruce Caswell (R-58)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that makes the defined contribution pension system optional for new school employees.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Brian Palmer (R-36)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Brian Palmer (R-36)

To establish criteria for selecting the defined contribution, 401(k)-like pension system manager.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Reps. Gary Newell (R-87) and Gary Newell (R-87)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that only includes the graduated health insurance benefits provisions.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Richard Ball (R-85)

To extend certain provisions of the school employess pension system that allows benefits to still be paid to retired employees who come back to work for a school system to also apply to retirees who come back to work as an independent contractor for the school system.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 55 to 52 (details)

To establish a graduated post-retirement health care benefits system for new school employees, in which full benefits would go to those with 30 years of service, and proportionately smaller benefits to those with fewer years. The bill would not apply to current school employees, who would continue with their current retirement health insurance system and much more accelerated vesting schedule.

Motion to reconsider by Rep. Chris Ward (R-66)

The vote by which the bill was passed. The bill was then "passed (over) for the day," which means the original defined contribution pension proposal can be brought up in the future for another vote at the discretion of the House leadership.

Consideration postponed