This bill revises the retirement eligibility criteria for members of the Highway Patrol Officers' Retirement System and the Sheriffs' Retirement System in Montana. It amends Sections 19-6-501 and 19-7-501 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to remove the previous stipulation that members hired on or before June 30, 2023, are eligible for retirement benefits after 20 years of service. Instead, the new language specifies that members hired on or after July 1, 2023, must complete 20 years of service and reach the age of 50 to qualify for nonforfeitable service retirement benefits.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "normal retirement age" for vested members, stating that it is reached when a member has either completed 20 years of service or has turned 50, whichever occurs later. The act is effective immediately upon passage and approval, and it applies retroactively to members hired on or after July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_1(1): 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_1(2): 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_1(3): 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_1(4): 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_1(5): 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_1: 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_2: 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_X(1): 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_X(2): 19-6-501, 19-7-501
SB0007_X: 19-6-501, 19-7-501