* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - Retirement Benefit Enhancement - Followup
FOR the purpose of requesting the Executive Director of the Employees' Retirement System to report to the City Council on the status of providing optional enhanced benefit improvements to Baltimore City members and their beneficiaries.
Body
Recitals
Council Bill 07-0317R - Informational Hearing - Retirement Benefit Enhancement, in calling for an informational hearing on the feasibility of providing optional benefit improvements to better reflect the City's appreciation of its dedicated workforce, stated that there are approximately 9,000 working, 8,600 retired, and 1,000 vested, but not as yet claiming benefits, members of the Employees' Retirement System who have provided valuable civil service to the citizens of Baltimore.
Some of these employees, "particularly members represented by AFSCME and CUB, do physically demanding work and often experience chronic health issues after 20 years. Unlike members of the police and fire unions, they are not eligible to take a 50% pension retirement at this point but must continue to work for a full 30 years until they are eligible for a mere 48% pension retirement benefit."
The purpose of the hearing was to request officials of the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) to explore the possibility of providing an enhanced benefit package that would not only reward and validate their many years of dedicated service but would provide the health coverage needed to insure that they can enjoy an active retirement.
This hearing will provide an opportunity for an update on the work of the Trustees and the Executive Director of the Employees' Retirement Systems who report that ERS officials have been working to explore cost neutral options to provide benefits enhancements that would provide 100%, or close to 100% replacement income for City employees at normal retirement when coupled with social security benefits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Executive Director of the Employees' Retirement System is requested to report to the City Council on the status of providing optional enhanced benefit improvements to Baltimore City members and their beneficiaries.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Executive Director of the Employees' Retirement Systems, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 08-0495~intro/23Oct08
ccres/enhance/nf
dlr 08-0495~intro/23Oct08
ccres/enhance/nf
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