Sen. Bailey bill to increase access to retirement options for first responders and municipal employees becomes law

AUGUSTA — Recently, a bill from Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, that would allow certain first responders and municipal employees to opt-in to their retirement programs beyond the time of their hire, became law without the governor’s signature.

“This simple change to statute will provide peace of mind and recognition for the municipal employees who work hard for our cities and towns every day,” said Sen. Bailey. “Currently, municipal employees only have one time to opt-in to their retirement program, and that is usually right at the beginning of their employment, when some may not be in the position to make that decision. This law will incentivize employees to stay longer at their jobs, knowing they can benefit from the retirement program.”

LD 1103, “An Act To Allow a 5-Year Open Enrollment in the Participating Local District Retirement Program for Certain Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and Other Municipal Employees,” grants law enforcement officers, firefighters and other municipal employees more than the current one-time option to opt-in to the Participating Local District Retirement Program through the Maine Public Employee Retirement System.

With this law, municipal employees will have five years to opt-in to the employee retirement system through annual open enrollment and a one-time option to opt-in after their fifth work anniversary.

The law will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.

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