The proposed amendments specifically focus on refining the language related to death benefits that are payable upon the legislator's death before retirement. Presently, the system offers a death benefit to beneficiaries designated by the member, or otherwise to the legislator's estate, equating to the annual compensation earned during the year prior to death. This ensures that the financial protections for the families of deceased legislators are straightforward and clearly articulated, promoting both transparency and consistency within the legislative framework governing retirement benefits.
Summary
Assembly Bill 951, introduced by Assembly Member Calderon, aims to amend Section 9359.95 of the Government Code concerning the Legislators Retirement System. This retirement law establishes a system that provides pension benefits and other advantages to members of the Legislature and certain designated state officers who choose to join. Significant to note is the closure of this retirement system to new members effective January 1, 2013, under existing California constitutional provisions that prohibit retirement benefits for legislators. The bill seeks to make nonsubstantive changes to the existing provisions regarding death benefits for legislators.
Contention
While AB 951 is largely uncontroversial due to its nonsubstantive nature, discussions may arise around the broader context of retirement benefits for legislators, especially given recent history regarding the closure of legislative retirement systems to new members. The bill's alterations do not introduce new benefits but clarify existing provisions, which could alleviate concerns regarding gaps or ambiguities in the current law. However, there remains ongoing debate about the ethical implications surrounding public officials' retirement benefits, particularly in times of budget austerity.