STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION		55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775 TELEPHONE: (860) 702-3480 TELEFAX:(860) 702-3489
MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD for DISABILITY RETIREMENT
HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT COMMITTEE
	STATE OF CONNECTICUT RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT SERVICES DIVISION OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER

RETIREMENT & BENEFIT SERVICES DIVISION MEMORANDUM

August 27, 2007

TO THE HEADS OF ALL STATE AGENCIES

I. INTRODUCTION

Public Act (PA) No. 07-211 "An Act Updating the Social Security Retirement Age to Reflect Federal Changes..." was enacted by the State Legislature and approved by the Governor July 5, 2007.

II. DISCUSSION

Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 5-163(a) currently provides that SERS Tier I, Plan B members who retire prior to age 65 receive additional temporary monthly retirement income until they reach age 65 or, if earlier, receive a Social Security Disability Award. Upon reaching age 65 or upon receipt of a Social Security Disability Award, if earlier, such members benefit is recalculated.

Effective October 1, 2007, PA No. 07-211 changes the age through which a Tier I, Plan B member receives the additional temporary monthly retirement income from age 65 to the date with which they reach their full retirement age under the Social Security Act or, if earlier, the date on which they become eligible for a Social Security Disability Award. For individuals born in 1937 or earlier the full retirement age under Social Security is 65; for individuals born in 1960 or later the full retirement age under Social Security is 67. The full retirement age under Social Security ranges from 65 years, 2 months to 66 years, 10 months for individuals born from 1938 to 1959.

For a surviving spouse receiving a benefit under the Tier I, Plan B provisions of SERS the additional temporary monthly retirement income will continue to be paid until they reach age 62 or, if earlier, receive a Social Security Disability Award based upon Section 5-165-2 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

III. CONCLUSION

You may contact the Retirement & Benefit Services Divisions Counseling Services Unit if you have any questions regarding this legislative change; questions from retired members should be referred to the Retirement & Benefit Services Divisions Retirement Payroll Unit at (860) 702-3528.

Very truly yours,

STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
NANCY WYMAN, SECRETARY EX OFFICIO

BY:

Thomas C. Woodruff, Ph.D., Director
Retirement & Benefit Services Division

TCW/JAK/jk

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