Sec. 7. 5 MRSA §17851-A, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2001, c. 646, §11, is further amended to read:

5. Contributions. Notwithstanding any other provision of subchapter III 3, after June 30, 1998 for employees identified in subsection 1, paragraphs A to H; after June 30, 2003 for employees identified in paragraph H-1; after December 31, 1999 for employees identified in subsection 1, paragraphs I to K; after December 31, 2001 for employees identified in subsection 1, paragraph L; and after June 30, 2002 for employees identified in subsection 1, paragraph M, a member in the capacities specified in subsection 1 must contribute to the retirement system or have pick-up contributions made at the rate of 8.65% of earnable compensation until the member has completed 25 years of creditable service as provided in this section and at the rate of 7.65% thereafter.

Sec. 8. Transition. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 17851-A, subsection 1, paragraph H-1, a person hired by the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management prior to the effective date of this Act may elect to participate in the Special Plan, provided the election is made not later than 180 days after the effective date of this Act.

SUMMARY

This bill allows certain military firefighters and police officers to elect to participate in the 1998 Special Plan. Under that plan, a person may retire at 55 years of age with 10 years of creditable service, or may retire before 55 years of age with 25 years of creditable service and a reduced benefit.