On Tuesday, lawmakers in the Senate Rules Committee debated Senate Bill 374: Repeal Risky Retirement Payments which would eliminate Option 4 (Social Security Leveling) and Option 6 (Modified Joint & Survivor) retirement allowances under the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) and the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS). Option 4 has been particularly popular with some members, as it allows a retired member to receive larger monthly payments until he or she qualifies for Social Security, at which point monthly payments are reduced and supplemented by social security payments. Option 6 allows a retiree to receive reduced monthly payments for life so that his or her designated beneficiary may receive some or all the amount of the monthly payment upon the member’s death. In the case the beneficiary predeceases the member, Option 6 allows members to revert or “pop up” to the maximum monthly allowance.
Last week, the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) featured an article on Senate bills for NCASA members to watch. Based on positive member feedback, NCASA has prepared a similar summary for notable bills in the N.C. House. While bill introductions will continue in the House through April 27, the following provides a current listing of selected House bills affecting K-12 education that NCASA deems as either favorable, neutral, or needing revisions.
In an attempt to address growing concerns over teacher shortages, Senate lawmakers have introduced a bill creating a new teaching license for qualified teachers who are unable to fulfill licensure exam requirements.
N.C. Senate lawmakers hit a key deadline April 2, which was the last date that new bills could be filed in that chamber. Although bill introductions continue in the N.C. House through April 27, the N.C. Association of School Administrators (NCASA) now has an indication of which public school issues are likely to be considered in legislation championed by state Senators. The following is an incomplete listing of selected Senate bills affecting K-12 education that NCASA deems as either favorable, neutral or needing revisions.
