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SB 3152

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island State Police retirees receive a universal $1,500 annual increase starting 2026, plus redesigned formulas and prospective recalculations for benefits.

06/11/2026 Senate passed Sub A
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Bill Summary · SB 3152

Overview

  • Bill: SB 3152
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Session: 2026
  • Purpose: Relates to state affairs and government, specifically Rhode Island State Police retirement and benefits. The measure would modify retirement calculations, extend service eligibility, introduce a universal annual benefit adjustment for retirees, and implement prospective recalculations for certain retirees. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Main purpose and intent

  • Modernize and expand retirement benefits for Rhode Island State Police members and their beneficiaries.
  • Increase the potential retirement allowance (up to a 65% cap of “whole salary”) by allowing additional years of service credits and higher definitions of compensation.
  • Provide ongoing, uniform annual benefit adjustments for all retired state police members and beneficiaries.
  • Introduce a prospective recalculation for retirees who left service between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2026, aligning their benefits with the new framework while avoiding retroactive adjustments prior to July 1, 2026.

Key provisions and changes

  • Retirement allowance formulas:
    • For members hired before July 1, 2007: 50% base retirement with potential 3% per additional year after 20 years, up to a 65% cap of “whole salary.”
    • For members hired on or after July 1, 2007: 50% base retirement with potential 3% per year after 25 years, up to a 65% cap.
    • Cap remains 65% of “whole salary,” with “whole salary” defined differently depending on retirement date (see details below).
  • Redefined “whole salary” (salary basis) for calculations:
    • Pre-1966 retirees: base salary as of 1972 basis.
    • 1966–1973 retirees: base salary including longevity increment as of 1972.
    • Post-1973 retirees (pre-2026): base salary + longevity + holiday pay + clothing allowance.
    • Post-2026 retirees: highest compensation in a 12-month window prior to retirement, including base salary, longevity, holiday pay, clothing allowance, and overtime (to the extent allowed by the CBA).
  • Post-retirement annual benefit adjustments:
    • Beginning July 1, 2026, and each Jan 1 thereafter, all retirees/beneficiaries receive a flat $1,500 annual adjustment, replacing prior ad hoc adjustments.
  • Service credit for military/merchant marine service:
    • Purchases allowed up to 2 years of additional credit, at 10% of the member’s first-year police salary per year (or fraction), with conditions on payment and trust funds.
  • Early/late retirements and thresholds:
    • Various staged provisions depending on hire date, retirement date, and service length, with the option to retire at 50% of “whole salary” plus additional years of service.
  • Prospective recalculation:
    • For members who retired between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2026, retirement allowances are recalculated prospectively to reflect the new framework (no retroactive adjustments prior to July 1, 2026).
  • Funding and other protections:
    • Provisions reference coordination with the Rhode Island retirement systems and investment returns but also cap adjustments to prevent excessive increases.

Who and what is affected

  • Rhode Island State Police members (active and retired) and their beneficiaries.
  • Civilian and sworn personnel set forth under the state police retirement framework.
  • The act affects how retirement benefits are calculated for those employed before and after key dates (notably July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2026).
  • The state police retirement system, as well as related trust funds, would be impacted by the new annual $1,500 adjustment and the prospective recalculations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • Annual $1,500 benefit adjustment begins July 1, 2026, and then each January 1 thereafter.
  • Prospective recalculation for eligible retirees would begin as soon as administratively feasible after enactment.
  • The act is currently scheduled for a hearing/consideration in May 2026, with referral to Senate Finance.

Potential impacts to consider

  • Increased ongoing costs to state police retirement systems due to the universal $1,500 annual adjustment and higher potential retirement allowances (subject to 65% cap).
  • Shifts in the calculation base for “whole salary” could raise or stabilize benefits for many retirees, especially those with longer service or post-2012 compensation elements.
  • The absence of retroactive adjustments aims to limit immediate budgetary shocks while providing future benefit enhancements.

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

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