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SB 2234

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICE CREDITS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Britto and 6 co-sponsors

Allows Rhode Island retirement system members to purchase up to 4 years of service credits for National Guard or Reserve veteran service, with costs and interest rules.

06/05/2026 Referred to House Finance
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Bill Summary · SB 2234

Overview

  • Bill: SB 2234
  • Session: Rhode Island, 2026
  • Topic: Public Officers and Employees — Retirement System — Membership and Service Credits
  • Purpose: Expand eligibility to purchase service credits for military service, specifically incorporating National Guard and Reserve service for veterans.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Allow members of Rhode Island’s state retirement system to purchase retirement service credits based on National Guard or Reserve service if they qualify as veterans.
  • Extend the existing armed services credit provisions to include National Guard and Reserve components for those who earned veteran status.

Key Provisions

  • Section 36-9-31 (Armed service credit) is amended to include:
    • Active members who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces or in the U.S. Merchant Marine may purchase credit for up to 4 years of service, with an honorable discharge required. Illness/injury leaves of absence also qualify for eligibility to purchase.
    • Police officers or firefighters who served in the National Guard or reserves and qualify as veterans may purchase creditable service at a ratio of 5 years of Guard/Reserve service to 1 year of creditable service, up to a maximum of 4 years, with an honorable discharge required. Illness/injury leaves of absence also qualify for purchase for these members.
    • Purchase cost: 10% of the member’s first-year earnings as a state employee (per Chapter 9) multiplied by the number of years (and fractions) of armed service or Merchant Marine service, up to 4 years.
    • Interest rules:
    • No interest if the purchase is made within the first five years of membership.
    • If purchased after five years of membership, regular interest accrues from the date of enrollment into membership to the date of purchase.
    • Exception: Members already in the retirement system prior to July 1, 1980 are not charged interest when purchasing armed services credits.

Affected Parties

  • Active members of Rhode Island’s Retirement System.
  • Police officers and firefighters who have served in the National Guard or reserves and qualify as veterans.
  • Members seeking to purchase military or reserve credits to augment retirement service credits.

Timelines and Effective Date

  • Effective date: Upon passage (immediate implementation if the bill is enacted).
  • Purchase window and applicable interest timelines are defined relative to membership start and the five-year threshold.

Potential Impacts

  • Broadens the pool of service credits eligible for purchase, potentially increasing retirement benefits for veterans who served in the National Guard or reserves.
  • Creates a mechanism to monetize Guard/Reserve service at a specific crediting ratio for eligible public safety personnel.
  • Could affect retirement benefit calculations (payouts) for affected members by increasing credited service.
  • Financial impact on the retirement system due to increased credits purchased; cost implications would depend on participation levels and the value of credits purchased.

Notes

  • The bill was introduced January 23, 2026, and referred to Senate Finance. A hearing/consideration was scheduled for May 14, 2026.
  • Co-sponsors include Senators DiPalma, Ciccone, Britto, LaMountain, Felag, Gallo, and Patalano.

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

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