COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 60
(By Senators Foster and McKenzie)
[Originating on the Committee on Pensions]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
feasibility of granting additional retirement service credit
to members of West Virginia's public retirement systems for
all periods of active service in the armed forces of the
United States.
Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the honorable commitment
required of the men and women in the armed forces during times of
grave danger, conflict and war; and
Whereas, Public servants who enter into active military
service do so for the good of our citizenry and with great personal
sacrifice; and
Whereas, Men and women serving in the National Guard and
Reserves are increasingly being called to respond to crisis
overseas; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement
Board administers eight independent state retirement systems; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Public Employees Retirement System
provides retirement benefits for approximately 35,800 active
employees of the state and other political subdivisions, the West
Virginia Teachers' Retirement System serves approximately 19,500
active employees of the state and the West Virginia Teachers'
Defined Contribution Plan currently has approximately 19,200 active
employees; and
Whereas, Members of the Public Employees Retirement System are
eligible to receive up to five years of military service credit
toward retirement for compulsory military service or specified
periods of armed conflict; and
Whereas, Further study is needed to determine whether armed
conflicts other than those specified under the Public Employees
Retirement System qualify for additional service credit; and
Whereas, Additional military service credit may be purchased
by members of state retirement plans under the federal guidelines
of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the feasibility of granting additional
retirement service credit to members of West Virginia's public
retirement systems
for all periods of active service in the armed forces of the United States; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2009, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.