NCJ Number
2058
Date Published
1971
Length
83 pages
Annotation
SURVEY OF EXISTING PENSION SYSTEMS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUNDING AND OPERATION OF ALTERNATE PORTABLE PENSION PLANS.
Abstract
PENSION RIGHTS ARE A PREDOMINANT CONCERN FOR MEN WHOSE DAILY WORK BRINGS THEM INTO CONTACT WITH DANGERS OF MANY KINDS. THE THOUGHT OF LOSING THEIR PENSIONS OFTEN PREVENTS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM MOVING TO JOBS IN WHICH PROSPECTS ARE GREATER AND THEIR SKILLS AND STRENGTHS CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVELY EMPLOYED. A SYSTEM OF PORTABLE POLICE PENSIONS, IN WHICH A CHANGE IN DEPARTMENTS WOULD NOT AFFECT ACCRUED PENSION RIGHTS, WOULD FACILITATE LATERAL TRANSFERS AND SUBSEQUENTLY BENEFIT BOTH OFFICERS AND THEIR AGENCIES. THE MOST DIRECT AND SUCCESSFUL APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF MOBILITY BETWEEN LOCAL AUTHORITIES WITHIN A GIVEN STATE IS A STATEWIDE RETIREMENT SYSTEM. THE PLAN RECENTLY ENACTED BY THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IS PRESENTED IN SOME DETAIL TO ILLUSTRATE HOW SUCH A SYSTEM OPERATES AND HOW IT CAN ABSORB MANY DIFFERENT LOCAL PLANS. IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE INTERSTATE TRANSFERS, A TRULY PORTABLE POLICE PENSION PLAN WOULD HAVE TO BE NATIONWIDE. THE FEDERALLY ADMINISTERED RAILROAD WORKERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE PRIVATELY ADMINISTERED COLLEGE TEACHERS PLAN ARE EXAMINED AS POSSIBLE MODELS FOR A NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RETIREMENT SYSTEM. (SNI ABSTRACT)