03/09/2008 The legislative session was a productive session
for our membership. With the assistance with our friends in the CWA and
AFL-CIO we were successful in making much needed changes to the Plan B
retirement system that was established in 1994. This has been an
issue for the WVTA for many years.
HB4471- Makes changes to our retirement system which will allow our
members to retire at age 50 with 25 years of service and age 52 with 20
years of service. This passed out of both the Senate and House late on
the last night of the session. Our membership will continue to pay 12%
employee contribution unless the fund falls below 90% at which time it
would be readjusted to 13%. The fund is currently at 98.9% funded. It
also authorizes the State Police to begin to collect $20 for
fingerprinting services that we provide which all monies collected from
this will be deposited into the Plan B retirement fund.
SB574- Provides the membership with a 3% pay increase. This was Governor
Manchin's bill which addressed the State Police with the 3% increase
which was provided to all State employees.
The above mentioned legislation must now be signed by Governor Manchin.
Information will soon be mailed to each member providing information
concerning our retirement system.
