POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF KANSAS CITY

This act specifies that the retirement benefits of members who retire after August 28, 2011 start on the first day of the month after the member retires. The member will not receive a prorated payment for the month in which the member retires.

The act also requires that all benefit payments will be paid on the last day of the month. When a member dies, certain benefits will be prorated for the portion of the month in which the member was alive, other benefits will not be prorated. The retirement system is required to withhold payment of benefits until the required documentation is filed to prove that a person is entitled to the payment.

Members are no longer able to receive credit toward retirement for unpaid leaves of absence of less than thirty days, except for leaves of absence for certain military service. If a member is on a leave of absence, to receive credit towards retirement for their leave, the person must return to active service and pay the actuarial cost of the service.

A person who has at least five years of service and returns to membership in the retirement system can purchase credit for prior service, but must pay the actuarial cost of the service, rather than repaying the amount of their accumulated contributions with interest.

If a person leaves the police department before retirement after at least fifteen years of service, the pension the person receives will start on the first day of the month after the person turns fifty-five, rather than the day the person turns fifty-five.

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS CITY

This act prohibits membership in the Civilian Employees' Retirement System of the Police Department of Kansas City by any employee appointed after August 28, 2011 who is eligible to receive a pension from any other Kansas City retirement system.

The act specifies that the retirement benefits of members who retire after August 28, 2011 start on the first day of the month after the member retires. The member will not receive a prorated payment for the month in which the member retires.

The act also requires that all benefit payments will be paid on the first day of the month. When a member dies, benefits to the surviving spouse will not be prorated. The retirement system is required to withhold payment of benefits until the required documentation is filed to prove that a person is entitled to the payment.

Members are prohibited from receiving credit toward retirement for unpaid leaves of absence, except for leaves of absence for certain military service. If a member is on a leave of absence, to receive credit towards retirement for their leave, the person must return to active service and pay the actuarial cost of the service.

A person who has at least three years of service and returns to membership in the retirement system can purchase credit for prior service, but must pay the actuarial cost of the service, rather than repaying the amount of their accumulated contributions with interest.

This act is identical to provisions of SS/SCS/HB 282 (2011) and similar to SB 271 (2011).

EMILY KALMER