Connecticut House Bill HB05015

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/17
• Refer: 1/4/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Retirement Health Care And Pension Payments For State Employees Included In Certain Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Impact

The implementation of HB 05015 is expected to have substantive effects on state employees who are part of collective bargaining agreements. By mandating that retirement benefits are withheld until an employee reaches sixty-five, the state anticipates a reduction in the financial burden associated with early retirements. This change could also serve as an incentive for employees to remain in the workforce longer, thereby potentially influencing workforce dynamics and productivity within state agencies. However, it may also raise concerns among employees and unions regarding the fairness and adequacy of retirement benefits.

Summary

House Bill 05015 proposes an amendment to state law concerning retirement health care and pension payments for state employees who are included in certain collective bargaining agreements. The primary objective of the bill is to mitigate the burgeoning costs associated with these benefits by establishing an age threshold. Specifically, the bill stipulates that state employees retiring before the age of sixty-five will not receive any retirement health care or pension payments until they reach that age. This legislative measure aims to control expenses related to retirement benefits and is limited to agreements negotiated after the passage of the act.

Contention

The bill is poised to attract notable contention, especially from labor advocates and state employee unions who may argue that the provision unfairly penalizes those who have dedicated their careers to public service. Critics may highlight that withholding retirement benefits until sixty-five could disproportionately impact employees with physically demanding jobs or those facing health challenges. Additionally, there is a broader concern regarding the implications of such changes on collective bargaining rights, as future agreements may attempt to negotiate similar or even more restrictive terms on retirement benefits for state employees.