The bill amends Section 42-28-22 of the General Laws to revise retirement eligibility and benefits for members of the Rhode Island state police. It establishes that members who retire after July 1, 1972, and have served beyond twenty years will receive a benefits payment adjustment of $1,500, with annual increases of $1,500 during January for the lifetime of the member.

The bill differentiates between members hired before and after July 1, 2007, in terms of retirement allowance calculations. Members hired prior to July 1, 2007, will have their retirement allowance calculated based on their years of service, with specific percentages applied to their whole salary, which includes base salary, longevity increments, holiday pay, and clothing allowances. Members hired on or after July 1, 2007, will have their retirement allowance calculated based on their years of total contributory service multiplied by two percent of average compensation.

Additionally, the bill allows certain members who were not eligible to retire as of June 30, 2012, to retire with benefits calculated according to the new provisions, ensuring that their whole salary includes the average of their final year of base salary, longevity increment, holiday pay, and clothing allowance.

The legislation also includes provisions for members sworn into service during specific years (1997, 2000, and 2005) to defer retirement until specified dates while continuing to make retirement contributions. Furthermore, it ensures that any members who received retirement benefits less than those provided in the new provisions due to prior legislative changes will receive the benefits as outlined in the bill.

The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5999: 42-28-22