Connecticut House Bill HB05529

Connecticut 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/15/12
• Refer: 3/15/12

Caption

An Act Concerning Public Employee's Pensions Solvency.

Impact

If passed, this bill is set to amend existing statutes regarding pension management and funding mechanisms in Connecticut. The creation of the Public Employee Benefit Solvency Authority will centralize the authority to handle not just insurance procurement but also the fiscal management of funds tied to pensions. This legislative change aims to enhance financial accountability and provide a reliable pathway for maintaining pension systems. The act seeks to reinforce the trust and integrity of public pensions, potentially restoring confidence among state employees regarding their retirement benefits.

Summary

House Bill 05529 aims to address the solvency of public employees’ pensions in Connecticut by establishing the Public Employee Benefit Solvency Authority. This quasi-public entity will be responsible for using pension fund moneys to procure insurance policies for public employees, specifically targeted at individual universal life insurance. The initiative is intended to provide a structured and sustainable method of funding the state's pension obligations, thus ensuring that retired state employees receive their due benefits without financial strains on the state budget.

Contention

Discussion around HB 05529 may involve varying opinions, particularly about the implications of establishing a new authority with significant powers. Stakeholders could express concerns regarding the potential overdependence on financial instruments and insurance for pension funding. There are also questions about the governance structure of the new authority, especially around how board members are appointed and the transparency of its operations. Furthermore, the criteria for selecting the insurance partners and the management of these contracts could become points of debate, particularly regarding the ability of the authority to navigate complex financial risks.