Senate gives unanimous support to Sen. Bailey bill to increase access to retirement options for first responders and municipal employees

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, the Maine Senate voted in favor of 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. 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,” received unanimous support. 

“This simple change to statute would provide peace of mind and appreciation for our 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 bill would incentivize employees to stay longer at their jobs, knowing they can benefit from the retirement program. I am grateful for the Senate’s support.”

LD 1103 would grant 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 MEPERS. With this bill, municipal employees would 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 bill faces further votes in the Legislature.

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