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H 838

An act relating to Group membership in the State Employees’ Retirement System

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Conor Casey

H.838 expands Group G eligibility in SERS, refines employee definitions, allows Group F-to-G transfers, and phases in changes with a July 2026 effective date.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
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Bill Summary · H 838

Summary of H.838 (2025-2026) — Vermont

Purpose and intent

H.838 proposes miscellaneous amendments to Group membership within the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS). The bill adds new eligibility definitions, outlines criteria for Group G membership, and provides transfer/election provisions related to membership transitions. The overall goal is to refine who qualifies as an employee for retirement system purposes and to adjust how certain groups may elect to join or remain in their current group.

Key provisions

  • Definitions and eligibility (3 V.S.A. § 455, as amended):

    • Clarifies who qualifies as an “employee” for SERS purposes, including certain State’s Attorney staff, victim advocates, and other positions within the State’s Attorneys’ offices.
    • Expands and specifies roles within the Department of Public Safety, law enforcement, and related agencies that are considered employees for SERS purposes, while excluding certain groups (e.g., General Assembly members, teachers in the Teachers’ Retirement System, certain part-time or special-appointment employees, and others with limited primary income from State employment).
    • Establishes and categorizes members into groups A, C, D, E, F, G, etc., with Group G receiving particular attention in later sections.

  • Group G membership and eligibility (within 3 V.S.A. § 455):

    • Defines who qualifies as Group G members, including:
    • (i) Department of Corrections facility staff who provide direct security and treatment services (new or previously eligible by June 30, 2022).
    • (ii) Sheriff and deputy sheriff positions meeting specified criteria (certifications, primary law enforcement duties, and limitations relative to Group C eligibility).
    • (iii) Additional positions for future eligibility (as of July 1, 2026, and subsequent dates) such as certain Department for Children and Families classifications, fire safety roles, force protection, and training coordinators.
    • Sets conditions for irrevocable elections to join Group G within defined time windows.

  • Disability retirement (Sec. 2, § 461):

    • Maintains current framework for accidental disability retirement benefits, including eligibility standards, medical certification, and potential vocational rehabilitation input.
    • Outlines benefit calculations, including minimums, and the interaction with Social Security for Group C members.
    • Caps the maximum possible retirement allowance at 50% of average final compensation.

  • Transfers and election between groups (Sec. 3, § 496):

    • Provides a transfer clause allowing Group F members who move into a position subject to Group G to elect within one year to remain in Group F.

  • Effective date (Sec. 4):

    • The act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Affected parties

  • Regular officers and employees in several state agencies (notably Public Safety, Department of Corrections, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and related law enforcement and judicial support roles).
  • Current and future members of the State Employees’ Retirement System, especially those in or eligible for Group G.
  • Employers and HR/retirement administrators within Vermont state government who manage group classifications, eligibility, and elections.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Effective date set for July 1, 2026.
  • Group G irrevocable elections must be made by specified deadlines (ranging from June 30, 2023 for early cohorts to June 30, 2027 for later cohorts).
  • Group F to Group G transfer option remains available with a one-year election period after accepting a Group G position.

Overall, H.838 reorganizes and expands Group G eligibility, refines definitions of “employee” for SERS, and preserves key disability-retirement structures, with phased implementation beginning mid-2026.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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