HB 17-1265

HB 17-1265 is a Colorado bill that increases the contributions made by employers, specifically for judges and court staff (judicial division), to the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). These contributions, called AED and SAED, will rise gradually from 3.40% of total payroll in 2019 to 5.00% by 2023. This bill affects employers who are part of PERA's judicial division and impacts their budgets since these funds would otherwise be used for employee salaries. The bill has been signed into law, meaning the increased contributions will take effect as planned.

Official Summary

In 2004 and 2006, the general assembly enacted legislation that required each employer in the public employees' retirement association (PERA) to make additional contributions to PERA. The additional employer contributions are the amortization equalization disbursement (AED) and a supplemental amortization equalization disbursement (SAED). Although the SAED is an employer contribution, it is funded by money that would otherwise be available for employee salary increases. The AED and the SAED are to reduce PERA's unfunded liability and amortization period. Both the AED and the SAED increase gradually over time for all PERA divisions. In 2010, the general assembly capped the AED and the SAED for the judicial division and the local government division at the 2010 levels, which for the AED is 2.20% of the employer's total payroll and for the SAED is 1.50% of the employer's total payroll. For the calendar year beginning in 2019, for the judicial division only, the bill increases the AED to 3.40% of total payroll and requires the AED payment to increase by 0.4% of total payroll at the start of each of the following 4 calendar years through 2023. In addition, for the calendar year beginning in 2019, for the judicial division only, the bill increases the SAED to 3.40% of total payroll and requires the SAED payment to increase by 0.4% of total payroll at the start of each of the following 4 calendar years through 2023. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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