Connecticut House Bill HB06910

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/17
• Refer: 1/25/17

Caption

An Act Authorizing The Funding Of Unfunded Accrued Municipal Employees' Retirement System Liabilities By Municipalities.

Impact

By allowing municipalities to raise funds through pension funding bonds, the bill could significantly improve local government financial stability. This measure is designed to mitigate the negative implications of unfunded liabilities, which can strain local budgets and potentially lead to reductions in public services. Additionally, the successful implementation of this bill may enhance the attractiveness of municipal employment by ensuring the reliability of retirement benefits.

Summary

House Bill 6910 aims to address financial challenges faced by municipalities in managing unfunded accrued liabilities within their employees' retirement systems. The bill proposes amendments to section 7-441 of the general statutes to authorize municipalities to issue municipal employees' retirement system pension funding bonds. This action is intended to provide municipalities with a means to raise necessary funds to cover their obligations to the retirement system, ensuring that employees receive promised benefits even if funds are unavailable at present.

Contention

However, the bill may encounter opposition based on concerns regarding the long-term implications of funding pensions through debt instruments. Critics might argue that relying on bonds to finance retirement benefits could exacerbate future financial liabilities for municipalities, particularly if economic conditions change. There are also concerns about the potential for increased taxation or reduced funding in other areas as local governments balance the repayment of these bonds while trying to maintain service levels.