AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- OPTIONAL RETIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF POLICE FORCE AND FIREFIGHTERS (Changes the retirement allowance based on accrued benefits.)

H7444

2026 -- H 7444
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LC003866
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- OPTIONAL RETIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF
POLICE FORCE AND FIREFIGHTERS

Introduced By:
Representatives O'Brien, Read, Furtado, Noret, Messier, Azzinaro,
Corvese, McNamara, Hull, and Biah

Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 45-21.2-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-21.2 entitled "Optional
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Retirement for Members of Police Force and Firefighters" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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45-21.2-6. Service retirement allowance.
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(a)
(1)
Upon retirement from service pursuant to § 45-21.2-5, a member receives a
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retirement allowance which is a life annuity terminable at the death of the annuitant and shall be an
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amount equal to two percent (2%) of final compensation multiplied by the years of total service,
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provided that a member who retires upon the attainment of age of fifty-seven (57) years and has
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completed at least thirty (30) years of total service shall receive a retirement allowance which is a
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life annuity terminable at the death of the annuitant and shall be an amount equal to the greater of:
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(i) Two and one quarter percent (2.25%) of final compensation multiplied by total years of service;
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or (ii) The member’s accrued benefit determined as of June 30, 2012, plus two and one quarter
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percent (2.25%) of final compensation multiplied by member’s years of service after June 30, 2012;
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provided further that the life annuity under this subsection (a) shall not exceed seventy-five percent
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(75%) of final compensation.
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(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1) of this section, commencing on
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July 1, 2026, all members, regardless of age or years of service, shall receive a retirement allowance
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which is a life annuity terminable at the death of the annuitant and shall be equal to the member's
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accrued benefit determined pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a)(1) of this section as of June

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30, 2026, plus two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the final compensation multiplied by the years
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of service after June 30, 2026. Provided, however, a member who retires upon attaining the age of
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fifty-seven (57) years and has completed at least thirty (30) years of total service, shall retain the
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same retirement allowance as calculated pursuant to provisions of subsection (a)(1) of this section
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for the period of July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2026 and then be credited for two and one-half
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percent (2.5%) per year for services rendered after June 30, 2026.
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(b) Upon retirement, the member may elect to receive the actuarial equivalent of his or her
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retirement allowance in a lesser retirement allowance as determined by actuarial calculation, which
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is payable throughout life with the provision that:
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(1) Option 1. A reduced retirement allowance payable during the member’s life with the
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provisions that after his or her death it shall continue during the life of and be paid to the person
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that he or she nominated by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the retirement
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board at the time of retirement; or
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(2) Option 2. A reduced retirement allowance payable during the member’s life with the
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provision that after his or her death an allowance equal to one-half (½) of his or her reduced
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allowance shall continue during the life of and be paid to the person that he or she nominated by
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written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board at the time of retirement.
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(c) If prior to July 1, 2012, a member elected an optional form of benefit other than a life
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annuity in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) or (2) above, the member may elect to change his or
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her form of benefit to a life annuity by filing an election with the retirement board on or before
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June 30, 2013, provided that the member’s beneficiary is still alive at the time the election is filed.
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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 -- OPTIONAL RETIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF
POLICE FORCE AND FIREFIGHTERS
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This act would allow all retired police officers and firefighters to receive an additional
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retirement allowance, equal to the members' accrued benefit, determined pursuant to this section as
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of June 30, 2026, plus two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the final compensation amount multiplied
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by the years of service after June 30, 2026.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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