Bill Text - HB637 (2025)

Relative to the reduction in the calculation of state retirement annuities at age 65 for certain group I retirement system members.


Revision: Jan. 27, 2025, 2:36 p.m.

HB 637-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2025 SESSION

25-0699

05/11

 

HOUSE BILL 637-FN

 

AN ACT relative to the reduction in the calculation of state retirement annuities at age 65 for certain group I retirement system members.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Luneau, Merr. 9; Rep. W. MacDonald, Rock. 16

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill provides that the reduction of a retiree's annuity at the member's full retirement age under the federal Social Security system shall apply to any group I retired state employee member or retired teacher member of group I who retired prior to July 1, 2023, and who has not reached full social security retirement age by July 1, 2025.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

25-0699

05/11

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

 

AN ACT relative to the reduction in the calculation of state retirement annuities at age 65 for certain group I retirement system members.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Service Retirement Allowances for Teachers and State Group I Member Employees; Application of Benefit. RSA 100-A:5, I(b); 100-A:6, I(b)(1)(A) and (B); and 100-A:6, I(d)(1)(A) and (B), as amended by 2023, 79:459, relative to the reduction of a retiree's annuity at the member's full retirement age under the federal Social Security system, shall apply to any group I retired state employee member or retired teacher member of group I who retired prior to July 1, 2023, and who have not reached full social security retirement age by July 1, 2025.

2  Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.

 

LBA

25-0699

Revised 1/27/25

 

HB 637-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to the reduction in the calculation of state retirement annuities at age 65 for certain group I retirement system members.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:   This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

 

 

Estimated State Impact

 

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue Fund(s)

None

Expenditures*

$0

$0

$0

In excess of $440,000  

Funding Source(s)

General Fund & State Annuity Accumulation Fund (Employer Contributions)

Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

None

*Expenditure = Cost of bill                *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

 

Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

 

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Expenditures

$0

$0

$0

$710,000

*The New Hampshire Retirement System states it is not able to separate the fiscal impact of this legislation between county and local government, therefore the fiscal impact is shown together as political subdivisions.

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill provides that the reduction of a retiree's annuity at the member's full retirement age under the federal Social Security system shall apply to any retired Group I member (employee  or teacher) who retired prior to July 1, 2023, and who has not reached full Social Security retirement age by July 1, 2025.

 

NHRS's actuary states since contributions rates for FY 2026-2027 have been certified they are not subject to change and there will be no fiscal impact in FY 2026-2027.  The actuary states the FY 2028-2029 contribution rates will be set using the June 30, 2025 valuation.  Since the rates for the 2028-2029 biennium are unknown at this time, only the net impact for FY 2028 is shown. It should be noted the fiscal impact of this bill will go well beyond FY 2028.

 

STATE IMPACT

 

Increase (Decrease) in Employer Pension Rates as a

Percent of Payroll

 

Net Impact of Proposal

Employees

0.05%

 

Expected Employer Dollar Increase (Decrease) Due to Proposal

 

FY 2026

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

Employees

$0

$0

$0-

$440,000

TOTAL

$0

$0

$0

$440,000

 

POLITICAL SUBDIVISION IMPACT

 

Increase (Decrease) in Employer Pension Rates as a

Percent of Payroll

 

Net Impact of Proposal

Teachers

0.05%

 

Expected Employer Dollar Increase (Decrease) Due to Proposal

 

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

Teachers

$0

$0

$0

$710,000

TOTAL

$0

$0

$0

$710,000

 

The NHRS actuary projects an increase in the actuarial accrued liability by $13 million ($5.3 million (employees) + $7.7 million (teachers)) based on the provisions in the bill and will be amortized over a fixed period of no longer than 20-years.

 

The NHRS states the proposed changes in the bill will involve administrative costs relating to reprogramming of the pension administration system which will result in an indeterminable increase in expenditures.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

New Hampshire Retirement System