STATE OF CONNECTICUT
NANCY WYMAN COMPTROLLER	OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER 55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775	MARK OJAKIAN DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

State Comptroller Nancy Wyman today applauded passage of a bill that enhances retirement benefits for thousands of municipal employees, including police officers and firefighters.

The bill also will increase by 20 percent the monthly benefit for nearly 100 survivors of deceased police officers and firefighters

"The benefits for these widows and dependents have not been increased since the 1960's," Wyman said. "It was certainly time for the state to recognize the dedication and sacrifice police officers and firefighters bring to their jobs every day."

"An Act Enhancing Benefits in the Police Officer and Firefighters Survivors Benefit Fund and the Municipal Employees' Retirement System, (MERS) was proposed by the Comptroller and approved last week by the General Assembly.

Enhancements for retired municipal employees covered by the bill include:

• Reducing from ten to five the numbers of years of continuous service needed for an employee member to be vested in the system.
• Allowing employee's contributions to the plan to be treated on a pre-tax basis.
• Providing a new cost-of-living increase ranging from 2-1/2 percent to 6 percent for employees retiring after Jan. 1, 2002.
• Allowing cities and towns to participate in the state's deferred compensation program.

Gary Waterhouse, President of the Connecticut Council of Police Unions, called the bill a victory for police officers, firefighters and all municipal workers.

"This is one of the best initiatives for public safety that I have seen in my 28 years of public service," he said. "We are very grateful to the Comptroller for working to make this legislation possible."

The State Comptroller appreciates input on this and other issues from residents of the state. Please feel free to contact her office by phone - (860) 702-3300; mail - OSC, 55 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106; or, via E-mail - osc.opinions@po.state.ct.us

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