Here is a summary of NHRS-related legislation passed in 2024:
House Bill (HB) 1307 makes a one-time supplemental allowance of $500 in fiscal year 2025 to accidental disability benefit retirees – or their beneficiaries receiving a monthly survivor benefit – who retired on or before July 1, 2018, and who have an annual pension benefit of $50,000 or less. The bill also provides for any potential future supplemental allowances and cost-of-living adjustments for accidental disability beneficiaries to be granted without regard to years of creditable service.
The bill was effective July 1, 2024. The bill was signed by the Governor on July 19, 2024.
NHRS has prepared a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) concerning this bill:
https://www.nhrs.org/faqs/faq---500-payment-to-eligible-accidental-disability-annuitants
The full text of HB 1307 is available at:
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billinfo.aspx?id=1349&inflect=2
HB 1559 establishes a new retirement system disability benefit for Group II (Police and Fire) members injured in the line of duty due to a purposeful, violent attack by means of a deadly weapon.
In addition, the bill gives members who retired under accidental disability on or after July 1, 2018, 90 days from the effective date of the law to file an application for violent accidental disability benefits. If approved, such member’s benefit shall be modified effective to the date of the application for violent accidental disability retirement benefits.
The bill was effective July 1, 2024. The bill was signed by the Governor on July 12, 2024.
More information on this new benefit for Group II is available at:
https://www.nhrs.org/members/benefits/disability-retirement/group-ii--violent
The full text of HB 1559 is available at:
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billinfo.aspx?id=1290
HB 1647 increases the benefit multiplier for Group II, Tier B
members to 2.5% for all years after the first 15 years of Group II service for
members who retire under service or ordinary disability retirement on
or after July 1, 2024. The first 15 years of Group II service will continue to
accrue a multiplier of 2.4% to 2.1%, depending on how many years of service the
member had on January 1, 2012.
Tier B consists of members hired on or before July 1, 2011, but not vested prior to January 1, 2012.
The bill includes a $26 million state appropriation toward the unfunded liability associated with this change.
HB 1647 will require extensive programming changes to the NHRS pension administration system. The retirement system is unable to provide benefit estimates based on the new multiplier to Group II, Tier B members at this time. In the near term, preliminary service or disability benefits for Group II, Tier B members who retire on or after July 1, 2024, will reflect previous statutory provisions until the programming is completed; the benefit will then be recalculated, and a retroactive benefit adjustment will be issued.
The bill was effective June 30, 2024. The bill was signed by the Governor on July 19, 2024.
The full text of HB 1647 is available at:
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billinfo.aspx?id=2242&inflect=2
In 2024, 14 bills related to RSA 100-A were introduced. An additional seven bills retained from 2023 were also considered in 2024. For a list of all NHRS-related legislation acted on in 2024, see our legislative updates page.
About NHRS
NHRS provides retirement, disability, and death benefits to its eligible members and their beneficiaries. The State of New Hampshire and more than 460 local government employers participate in NHRS for their employees, teachers, firefighters, and police officers. NHRS has approximately 48,500 active members and 43,500 benefit recipients. NHRS administers a defined benefit plan qualified as a tax-exempt entity under sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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