FAQ

What are the court cases that discuss the constitutional protections for retirement benefits?

The following cases outline how the constitution protects members who have already paid into the system (all permanent members).

            HB 876:Commission to Study the Long Term Viability of the NH Retirement System

            SEA v. Belknap County

         Jeannont Case v. NH Personnel Commission


What are the employer rates?

Here is the 40 year history of the employer and employee rates.

What does the 3.7 billion UAAL (Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability) cost employers and how is it going to be paid off?

Find the UAAL payment schedule here.

What is the difference between a Defined Benefit Plan(DB) and a Defined Contribution Plan (DC)?

Public Employees' Retirement System of the State of Nevada: Analysis and Comparison of Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Retirement Plans, 2010

Look Before You Leap: The Unintended Consequences of Pension Freezes, 2008, Ilana Boivie and Beth Almeida

Do all members of the NHRS pay social security?

When the State of New Hampshire created its pension system for its employees, and the employees of the local municipalities, counties and school districts it opted NOT to participate in the Social Security program for Group II members, the public safety classification.

By doing this, it saved the State, local governments and Counties the 6.25% employer contribution rate it would have had to pay for its employees to enjoy the benefits of Social Security. This decision eliminated its public safety employees from participating in Social Security and thus receiving this benefit after they retire. This made the pension provided by the State a much more valuable commodity to the beneficiaries.

          This is an important fact to remember when discussing any pension
          reform issues, as many people incorrectly assume that NHRS
          pensioners also receive social security benefits.

          The Social Security Administration has published the following on their
          website: Government pension information on your Social Security Statement.