Bill
HB 8185
The bill increases state police retirement benefits, introduces a guaranteed $1,500 annual adjustment for retirees, and extends service to 30 years with a new “whole salary” defini
Date Introduced: February 27, 2026
Committee: House Finance
Sponsors: Baginski, Casimiro, Solomon, Read, Casey, DeSimone, O’Brien, J. Brien; Co-sponsors Casey, Solomon, O’Brien, Casimiro, Read, Brien, DeSimone, Baginski
Status: As of April 16, 2026, recommended for hold for further study
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Purpose
- This act amends the Rhode Island State Police retirement system to increase retirement allowances for members, add new post-retirement benefit adjustments, extend service limits, and implement a uniform annual benefit of $1,500 to all retired state police members and their beneficiaries starting July 1, 2026, with subsequent annual adjustments.
Key Provisions
1) Retirement Benefit Calculations and Maximums
- For members hired prior to July 1, 2007:
- Retirement eligibility remains at 20 years, with retirement allowances potentially increased by 3% for each year beyond 20, up to a cap of 65% of the member’s “whole salary.”
- For members hired on or after July 1, 2007:
- For retirements before July 1, 2026, there is a 50% base retirement allowance (of the “whole salary”). An additional 3% may be earned per year beyond 25 years, up to a cap of 65% of the “whole salary.”
- A separate provision allows up to 30 years of service; increases beyond 25 years accrue at 3% per year, still capped at 65% of “whole salary.”
- Effective July 1, 2026:
- New baseline: retirement allowances for both groups (pre-2007 and post-2007 hires) may reach 50% of “whole salary” plus an incremental 3% for each year beyond the relevant year threshold, capped at 65% of “whole salary.”
2) Definition of “Whole Salary”
- Redefined across different eras of retirement:
- Pre-1966, 1966–1973, and 1973–2026 periods have defined “whole salary” components (base salary, longevity, holiday pay, clothing allowance, etc.).
- For retirements on/after July 1, 2026, “whole salary” is defined as the highest pay earned in any 12-month period before retirement, including base salary, longevity, holiday pay, clothing allowance, and overtime (to the extent provided by the applicable collective bargaining agreement).
3) Cost-of-Living and Annual Benefit Adjustments
- The act creates a continuing framework of annual benefit adjustments tied to:
- Five-year investment return averages,
- CPI-U (inflation) adjustments, and
- Funded ratio tests (80% target, with adjustments described),
- Certain provisions for suspension or recalibration based on funded status.
- Notable implementation: starting as of 2012-2016 adjustments, with ongoing adjustments governed by funding ratios of the retirement systems (Employees’, Judicial, and State Police Trusts).
4) Service Credit for Military/ Merchant Marine Service
- Members may purchase up to 2 years of US military or merchant marine service, at 10% of the member’s first-year salary per year purchased, with conditions on funding and repayment.
5) Post-Retirement Recalculation
- For members who retired between 2012 and 2026, their retirement allowance will be prospectively recalculated to reflect the new framework (effective July 1, 2026). No retroactive adjustments prior to July 1, 2026.
6) Administrative and Operational Changes
- Extendable service periods:
- Hired after July 1, 2007: maximum service period extended to 30 years.
- All retirees receive a new annual benefit adjustment of $1,500 starting July 1, 2026, and each January 1 thereafter, in lieu of other adjustments, for eligible retirees or beneficiaries.
7) Interaction with Other Laws
- The bill explicitly notes that the pension adjustments apply in addition to existing retirement, injury, and death benefits under Rhode Island law.
- Provisions respect existing definitions and carve outs for civilian vs. sworn state police personnel.
Impact
Notes
- The bill sets a broad and complex set of pension mechanics, combining older pre-2026 structures with a new post-2026 benefit framework, all subject to funding status and collective bargaining terms where applicable.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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