An overview of MACo’s advocacy on pensions issues in the 2020General Assembly.
Half of Maryland’s counties participate in the State’s pension system, and the other half support their employees through local pension systems. MACo’s pension advocacy includes defending local authority to define the elements of county-run pension systems, and protecting the interests of county governments participating in the State’s pension system.
This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due to precautionary social distancing measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19. Consequently, many bills did not have hearings or did not move forward due to time constraints to meet the new deadline. For more information on Maryland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic visit MACo’s COVID-19 Resource Page.
Follow links below for more coverage on Conduit Street and MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.
MACo supported with amendments legislation that would have increased the normal service retirement benefit multiplier for members of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System from 2.0% to 2.5% and raised the cap on normal service retirement benefit payments from 65% to 70% of the member’s average final compensation. As introduced, the bill presented a significant unfunded mandate on county governments. MACo proposed a “local option amendment” to allow each jurisdiction to weigh the costs of increasing the cap on retirement benefit payments appropriately. Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System – Benefits did not advance out of the House Appropriations Committee following its public hearing.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
