HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04241990 - 1.28 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS .s,--L
Contra
FROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator ��. � - ,'s
Costa
County
DATE: April 18, 1990 ��srd Soon cc"
SUBJECT: LEGISLATION: SB 2030 (Boatwright)
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECORMNDATION
Adopt a position in SUPPORT of SB 2030 by Senator Boatwright
which would authorize members and retired members of a 1937 Act
retirement system to pay contributions for service in the
merchant marines of the United States during World War II and
thereby obtain credit for such service, which they were
previously precluded from claiming due to federal law.
BACKGROUND:
The County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 authorizes members to
receive service credit for various periods of "public service"
upon payment of specified contributions. Such credit has
generally been limited to military service which was recognized
as such by the federal government and had to be purchased prior
to retirement. Until recently, service in the merchant marines
has not been recognized as military service, even though it took
place during a declared war.
Federal law has recently been amended to recognize merchant
marine service during World War II as "public service" and
thereby eligible for purchase by a member of a 1937 Retirement
Act County as service credit for purposes of computing retirement
credits and, therefore, retirement benefits. Unfortunately, it
has not been possible for an employee who was already retired to
purchase retirement service credit for prior military service.
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CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: Yes YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S): 0&4rlj/I�& �W�
ACTION OF BOARD ON April 7 4 ., 1 9()0 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: ATTESTED APR 2 4 1.990
Please see Page 2. PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS
®AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M382 (10/88)
BY DEPUTY
At least one member of the Contra Costa County Retirement System
is caught in this "Catch 22" where prior to the time he retired
he could not purchase his merchant marine service time because it
was not recognized as "public service" time under federal law,
but once he retired he could not purchase the time when the
federal law changed since he was already retired.
The Contra Costa County Retirement Board has sponsored SB 2030 by
Senator Boatwright to allow this retired employee any any others
similarly situated to purchase their merchant marine service time
and thereby increase their retirement pay. In view of what
appears to be a relatively unique situation, it appears only
equitable for the Board of Supervisors to indicate its support of
SB 2030 .
cc: Senator Boatwright
County Administrator
Retirement Administrator
Director of Personnel
County Counsel
Les Spahnn, SRJ. Jackson, Barish & Associates