summary
Introduced
12/08/2025
12/08/2025
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
Passed
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Pension matters. Modifies the definition of "average of the annual compensation" for a member of the public employees' retirement fund (PERF) who retires after December 31, 2027. Specifies that compensation received in contemplation of retirement is excluded from the average of the annual compensation for particular members of PERF and the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF). Repeals a provision requiring the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system (board) to maintain separate accounts for each unit of local government. Provides that amounts forfeited under the public employees defined contribution plan must be used as determined by the board. Specifies a process by which a fully vested member of the public employees' defined contribution plan or the teachers' defined contribution plan may irrevocably elect to participate in PERF or TRF, as applicable. Modifies the information that must be included in a delinquency notice to a delinquent political subdivision. Modifies the requirements that apply to certain PERF members purchasing and claiming years of service credit in PERF. Allows, subject to particular requirements, certain TRF members to purchase and claim years of service credit in TRF. Allows a PERF or TRF member's employer to pay all or part of the member's contributions required for purchase of service credit. Allows a wage assignment to be made for the purpose of paying voluntary contributions of an employee of a political subdivision to a tax deferred retirement account. Provides that a municipality, a unit, an airport authority, a school corporation, or a charter school may require certain members of PERF to continue as members of that fund instead of the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund (1977 fund). Requires, subject to certain limitations, the state to make contributions after December 31, 2026, that match, dollar for dollar, each state employee's deferred compensation contributions, not to exceed $28 per paycheck. Specifies a process by which portions of the funding sources for the retirement medical benefits account must be transferred to the state comptroller for the purpose of making matching contributions. Provides as a default rule that after December 31, 2026, each participant's membership in the retirement medical benefits account is terminated, participant subaccounts are forfeited, and subaccount amounts must be transferred to the state general fund. Requires the state comptroller to transfer certain amounts from the state general fund to each participant's defined contribution plan. Specifies a time frame within which a participant in the retirement medical benefits account may elect to remain a participant. Establishes the 2027 retiree health benefit trust. Provides that the retiree health benefit trust fund will be terminated when certain conditions are met. Increases the lump sum death benefit payable to the heirs or estate of a 1977 fund member. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)
AI Summary
This bill modifies various aspects of Indiana's public pension and retirement systems, including the Public Employees' Retirement Fund (PERF) and the Teachers' Retirement Fund (TRF). Key provisions include changing how "average of the annual compensation" is calculated for retirement benefits for those retiring after December 31, 2027, specifically excluding compensation received in anticipation of retirement. It also repeals a requirement for the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) board to maintain separate accounts for each local government. Forfeited amounts in the public employees' defined contribution plan will now be determined by the INPRS board. The bill establishes a process for fully vested members of defined contribution plans to elect to join PERF or TRF. It also updates delinquency notices for political subdivisions and allows certain PERF and TRF members to purchase additional years of service credit, with employers potentially contributing to these purchases. Additionally, the bill permits wage assignments for voluntary contributions to tax-deferred retirement accounts for political subdivision employees. Municipalities, units, airport authorities, school corporations, and charter schools may require certain PERF members to remain in PERF instead of the 1977 Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension and Disability Fund. Starting after December 31, 2026, the state will match state employee deferred compensation contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to $28 per paycheck, with provisions for transferring funds from the retirement medical benefits account to facilitate these matching contributions. A default rule will terminate membership in the retirement medical benefits account after December 31, 2026, forfeiting subaccounts and transferring them to the state general fund, with a process for participants to elect to remain in the account. A new 2027 retiree health benefit trust is established, and the lump sum death benefit for members of the 1977 fund is increased.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (10)
Brian Buchanan (R)*,
David Niezgodski (D)*,
Linda Rogers (R)*,
Scott Alexander (R),
Blake Doriot (R),
Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D),
Tony Isa (R),
Jake Teshka (R),
Heath VanNatter (R),
Shelli Yoder (D),
Last Action
Public Law 104 (on 03/05/2026)
Official Document
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