HB 2251

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Requires the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) to establish an optional defined contribution retirement plan for state and local employees. Participation in the plan is in lieu of other retirement plans offered by VRS. Employees hired on or after July 1, 2019, shall make an irrevocable election whether to participate in the plan. A person who is employed on June 30, 2019, shall make an irrevocable election by October 31, 2019, to participate in the new retirement plan beginning January 1, 2020, in lieu of his retirement plan at the time. If such employee elects to participate in the new plan, his retirement plan at the time of election will be "frozen" and not increase because of compensation earned or years of service earned while participating in the new plan. Under the plan, the employer makes a mandatory contribution in the amount of 8.5 percent of the employee's compensation, and the employee contributes five percent of his compensation. The employer's contribution becomes fully vested upon the employee's completion of five years of continuous participation.