HCS/SB 841 - This act would allow certain members of the County Employees' Retirement System who work part-time for a county (less than 1000 hours a year) to receive an annuity without any changes to such annuity. Currently, no member may receive an annuity while employed by a county. This act also would allow certain surviving spouses of members with 8 years or more creditable service in the County Employees' Retirement System to take a reduced benefit before the deceased member would have reached normal retirement age. Currently, the surviving spouse must wait until the deceased member would have attained normal retirement age before receiving benefits.

This act also modifies the definition of "employee" to apply only to employees "hired and fired" by the county and who are directly controlled by the county for the purposes of membership in the County Employees' Retirement System.

This act also allows the surviving spouse to purchase the prior service of a county employee who dies prior making such an election.

This act also allows state employees employed on 8/28/98 to receive creditable prior service as an elected county official if certain provisions are met.

This act allows certain retired members who served as ex- officio county recorders and such service did not count towards retirement calculations to be eligible for benefits based upon such service, so long as such service is not vested in another retirement plan.

This act is similar to SCS/HB 1599 (1998).
MARGARET J. TOALSON