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PS 1021

Para enmendar el inciso 40 del Artículo 1-104 de la Ley Núm. 447 de 15 de mayo de 1951, según enmendada, mediante la cual se crea el denominado “Sistema de Retiro de los Empleados del Gobierno del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de incluir en la definición de “Servidores Públicos de Alto Riesgo” a los alguaciles adscritos al Poder Judicial de Puerto Rico, para disponer que los antes mencionados funcionarios puedan acogerse voluntariamente al retiro luego de haber alcanzado los cincuenta y cinco (55) años de edad y treinta (30) años de servicio; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill reclassifies court bailiffs as high-risk workers, allowing voluntary retirement at 55 with 30 years service, increasing pension liabilities for the cash-strapped government system.

Firmado por el Presidente de la Cámara
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Bill Summary · PS 1021

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 1021 amends Puerto Rico's public employee retirement system (Law 447) to classify court bailiffs (alguaciles) under the Judicial Branch as "High-Risk Public Servers." This classification would allow these officials to voluntarily retire at age 55 with 30 years of service, rather than meeting standard retirement requirements.

Why is this important

Court bailiffs face occupational hazards including physical confrontations, security threats, and high-stress environments in judicial settings. This bill recognizes these risks by offering early retirement benefits, potentially improving workforce retention, morale, and recruitment. However, it also creates fiscal implications for Puerto Rico's already-strained pension system.

Potential points of contention

  • Pension system costs: Puerto Rico's public retirement system faces significant underfunding; lowering retirement ages increases long-term liabilities and may strain already-limited government resources
  • Equity concerns: Other government employees in genuinely dangerous roles (police, correctional officers) may question why bailiffs receive similar benefits, or conversely, why other high-risk workers weren't included
  • Benefit eligibility definition: The criteria for "high-risk" classification could set precedent for other employee groups to claim similar status, potentially cascading costs

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

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