Judges’ retirement plan reforms introduced

The House Ways & Means Committee has introduced long-awaited legislation reforming the state’s judges’ retirement program. Idaho Supreme Court administrative director Patti Tobias told the panel the bill is the product of months of work by all three branches of government, including a group of House members; she said the bill will “stabilize” Idaho’s judges’ retirement program.

Among the changes: The measure would increase the employer’s contribution to the plan from 7% to 10.5%; the employee’s contribution from 6% to 9% in two steps in fiscal year 2013 and 2014; increase the civil filing fee contribution to the fund from $18 to $26; and trim some benefits for judges, including nearly doubling the number of days per year retired judges would have to work in order to qualify for any increase in their retirement; eliminating benefits for those who retire at age 55 with 15 years of service, requiring longer service to qualify; lowering the spousal benefit from 50 percent to 30 percent; and tying cost-of-living increases to what PERSI grants. The increased cost to the general fund, for the employer contribution, would be $116,385 next year, and another $90,390 in fiscal year 2014.

House Majority Leader Mike Moyle questioned whether the Senate and governor’s office had signed onto the deal; he cast the only vote against introducing the measure. House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts said after the vote that he’s confident of support. “I think you’ll find the Senate is supportive; Bart Davis and I have been talking,” he said. Tobias said Gov. Butch Otter recommended the funding in his proposed budget; JFAC is awaiting the bill and if it passes, will introduce a trailer appropriation bill.