STATEHOUSE - A bill authored by Rep. Bill Ruppel (R-North Manchester) and passed by the Senate would reduce the number of years a public employee must contribute to public retirement funds before their survivors may receive benefits. The Senate approved House Bill 1498 today by a 50-0 vote. Under current law, a public employee must contribute into the Public Employees Retirement Fund or the Teacher's Retirement Fund for 15 years before a surviving spouse or dependant may receive survivor benefits. HB 1498 reduces that period to 10 years. The change would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2007. "I authored this bill because I was approached by families who lost a loved one, yet were unable to receive the death benefits that they were entitled to because of the year requirement," said Rep. Ruppel. The bill also would give TRF members an extra pension check each year. Currently, TRF pension members receive 12 pension checks a year. House Bill 1498 would also provide a 13th pension check each year for retired teachers, the amount of which would depend on how many years the employee served. A teacher retired after five to nine years of employment would receive $150 in the 13th check; 10-19 years of service would receive $275; 20-29 years of service would receive $375; and 30 or more years would receive $450. "This bill is important because it gives a 13th pension check to retired teachers," said Rep. Ruppel. "It also allows families to receive the death benefits they deserve in case somebody loses a loved one."

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