The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

9:00 a.m.,  Room 016

 

RE: HB 2006, HD1, Relating to the Employees’ Retirement System

Attention: Chair Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair Maile Shimabukuro and Members of the Committee

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) strongly opposes HB 2006, HD1, which seeks to reduce the benefit multiplier for judges who become judges, are reappointed, or promoted after June 30, 2016.

We view this measure as an attempt to not only reclassify judges’ future retirement benefits, but also adversely impacting their current retirement benefits.  We strongly oppose attempts that negatively impact the retirement benefits of any employee mid-employment. 

Changes to retirement benefits are generally made prospectively, for any new employees beginning their service at a future date.  Passage of this legislation would be setting a precedent by diminishing retirement benefits for current employees.

UHPA appreciates the opportunity to provide testimony in opposition to HB 2006, HD1, and urges the committee to defer this measure.  

Respectfully submitted,

Kristeen Hanselman                                                                                                                                                             Executive Director