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Connecticut's pension plans are not explicitly protected by the constitution. However, there are some legal protections in place for certain groups, such as teachers, public safety officers, and public workers. These protections are affirmed by court rulings, and statutory protection exists for vested employees who meet eligibility requirements. Connecticut's pension laws also allow for some parts of public pension benefits to be changed by future state laws. The state's statutory pension scheme establishes a property interest entitled to protection from arbitrary legislative action under the due process provisions of the state constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Employer contributions to Connecticut's government pension plans | 14.16% of all state and local government direct general spending in FY 2021 |
| Constitutional protection for public pension benefits | No explicit protection, but statutory protection exists for vested employees who satisfy eligibility requirements |
| Municipal pensions | Protected by CT Stat. §7-148, which states that "rights or benefits granted to any individual under any municipal retirement or pension system shall not be diminished or eliminated" |
| Major public retirement systems | Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and Connecticut Teachers Retirement Board (TRB) |
| Administration of SERS | State treasurer as sole trustee, with the system administered by the Retirement Division of the state comptroller |
| Administration of TRB | State comptroller as sole trustee, with the system administered by the Connecticut Teachers Retirement Board |
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What You'll Learn
Connecticut's government pension plans
Connecticut's major public retirement systems include the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and the Connecticut Teachers Retirement Board (TRB). SERS administers pension and other benefits to state employees, while TRB does the same for public school teachers. The assets of SERS are managed by the state treasurer, who serves as sole trustee, while the assets of TRB are managed by the state comptroller.
Connecticut teachers, public safety officers, and public workers are entitled to certain protections under state law and affirmed by court rulings. However, the state does have some legal precedent that allows them to change particular aspects of retirement benefits. In other words, Connecticut pension laws allow parts of public pension benefits to be changed by future state laws, but only certain parts of those benefits.
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Connecticut Teachers Retirement Board (TRB)
There is no explicit constitutional protection for public pension benefits in Connecticut. However, statutory protection exists for vested employees who satisfy eligibility requirements by becoming eligible to receive benefits. Municipal pensions are protected by CT Stat. §7-148, which provides that the "rights or benefits granted to any individual under any municipal retirement or pension system shall not be diminished or eliminated".
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Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS)
Connecticut pensions are not explicitly protected by the state constitution. However, there is statutory protection for vested employees who meet eligibility requirements. Courts have also recognised that the state's statutory pension scheme establishes a property interest entitled to protection from arbitrary legislative action under the due process provisions of the state constitution. Municipal pensions are protected by CT Stat. §7-148, which provides that the "rights or benefits granted to any individual under any municipal retirement or pension system shall not be diminished or eliminated".
The Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) is one of the state's major public retirement systems. SERS administers pension and other benefits to state employees. Assets are managed by the state treasurer, who serves as the sole trustee. The system is administered by the Retirement Division of the state comptroller.
Connecticut teachers’, public safety officers’, and public workers’ pension benefits are entitled to certain protections under state law and affirmed by court rulings. However, the state does have some legal precedent that allows them to change particular aspects of retirement benefits. In other words, Connecticut pension laws allow parts of public pension benefits to be changed by future state laws, but only certain parts of those benefits.
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Municipal pensions
Connecticut's government pension plans are not explicitly protected by the constitution. However, there is statutory protection for vested employees who meet eligibility requirements. Municipal pensions are protected by CT Stat. §7-148, which states that the "rights or benefits granted to any individual under any municipal retirement or pension system shall not be diminished or eliminated".
Connecticut's major public retirement systems include the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and the Connecticut Teachers Retirement Board (TRB). SERS administers pension and other benefits to state employees, while TRB does the same for public school teachers. Both systems are administered by the state comptroller, who serves as the sole trustee.
Connecticut pension laws allow for certain parts of public pension benefits to be changed by future state laws. However, the state's pension laws can be confusing for both lawmakers and public workers. It is essential to understand the legal environment for pension policies to improve funding sustainability and ensure adequate retirement income security for the state's workforce.
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Statutory protection for vested employees
While there is no explicit constitutional protection for public pension benefits in Connecticut, there is statutory protection for vested employees who satisfy eligibility requirements. This means that employees who are eligible to receive benefits are protected by law.
Connecticut's statutory pension scheme establishes a property interest entitled to protection from arbitrary legislative action under the due process provisions of the state constitution. This was recognised in the case of Pineman v. Oechslin, 488 A.2d 803 (1985). Municipal pensions are also protected by CT Stat. §7-148, which states that the "rights or benefits granted to any individual under any municipal retirement or pension system shall not be diminished or eliminated."
Connecticut's major public retirement systems include the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and the Connecticut Teachers Retirement Board (TRB). These systems administer pension and other benefits to state employees and public school teachers, respectively. Assets are managed by the state treasurer or comptroller, who serves as the sole trustee.
While Connecticut pension laws do allow for certain aspects of retirement benefits to be changed by future state laws, these changes are limited to specific parts of those benefits. The state's legal precedent allows for some flexibility in modifying pension benefits while also providing protections for employees who have vested rights.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no explicit constitutional protection for public pension benefits in Connecticut. However, there is statutory protection for vested employees who meet eligibility requirements.
The Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and the Connecticut Teachers Retirement Board (TRB) are the two major public retirement systems in the state.
Yes, Connecticut pension laws allow parts of public pension benefits to be changed by future state laws, but only certain parts of those benefits.
