HB1276
Concerning Spousal Retirement Benefits For Spouses Of Certain Municipal Employees.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes amendments to Arkansas law concerning spousal retirement benefits for certain municipal employees. It aims to allow the surviving spouse of a city attorney, deputy city clerk in cities of the first class, mayor in cities of the second class, or treasurer in cities of the first class to receive a portion of the deceased employee's retirement benefits. Specifically, if the deceased employee was retired or eligible to retire, their legally recognized spouse, married for at least ten years, may receive one-half of the retirement benefit. This provision is subject to the option of the city's governing body. The spousal benefit would cease upon the spouse's remarriage. The bill modifies existing Arkansas Code sections related to retirement benefits for these specific municipal positions. It designates these benefits for spouses of eligible city attorneys, deputy city clerks, mayors, and treasurers.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the legally recognized spouses of city attorneys, deputy city clerks in cities of the first class, mayors in cities of the second class, and treasurers in cities of the first class who have been married for ten years or longer and whose spouse has died while retired or eligible to retire. These spouses would become eligible to receive a portion of the deceased employee's retirement benefits, providing them with financial support.
Who Might Suffer?
The entities that could be negatively impacted by this bill are the cities themselves, specifically their governing bodies and potentially their municipal retirement systems. These cities would be obligated to provide these spousal retirement benefits, which could increase their financial liabilities and impact their budgets. The decision to grant these benefits rests with the city's governing body, suggesting a potential financial burden that could affect other city services or require adjustments in funding.