SB 1710 Summary

• Allows eligible retired public safety officers to elect direct payments toward qualified health insurance premiums from monthly disability or retirement benefits, with annual exclusion capped at $3,000.

• Defines "public safety officer" to include law enforcement officers, firefighters, chaplains, and members of rescue squads or ambulance crews.

• Establishes that qualified health insurance premiums include coverage for the retiree, spouse, and dependents under accident/health insurance plans or long-term care contracts.

• Updates Section 2-305.4 regarding benefit limitations and prohibits decreases in age-adjusted dollar limits for certain reasons, effective January 1, 2014.

• Removes requirement for the Board to submit private letter ruling requests regarding death benefits, striking language that previously required IRS approval for death benefit tax treatment.