SB319 Summary

• Amends three retirement system statutes (Judicial Retirement Fund, Teachers' Retirement System, and Employees' Retirement System) to allow members to designate that retirement benefits be paid directly to a special needs trust.

• Enables retirement allowances to be paid to a special needs trust established under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 1396p(d)(4)(A) or (C)) when the designated beneficiary is a beneficiary of such a trust.

• Allows direction by the member, or after the member's death by the designated person or legal representative (if the designated person is a minor or incapacitated), to redirect payments to the special needs trust.

• Applies to retirement benefits under various optional benefit elections (Options 2, 3, and 4) for survivors and continued allowances.

• Takes effect on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.