AMRPE Organization
Association of montana
retired public employees
NEWS UPDATE:
The Helena IR recently published a Guest View from Representative Terry Moore and Senator Tom McGilvray addressing Montana’s pension debt and a separate Guest View from Kendall Cotton of the Frontier Institute regarding pension reform. AMRPE has sent the following “Letter to the Editor” to Montana’s five major newspapers in response:
As in the past, several bills were introduced this session to address public employee pensions. Guest Views regarding public pensions recently appeared in the Helena IR. The Association of Montana Retired Public Employees (AMRPE) Board applauds the Legislature’s efforts to ensure pension funds remain financially healthy as required by the Montana Constitution. These funds must be available to pay retirement benefits to public employees who have earned them by providing essential city, county, educational, and state services for all Montanans.
Active public employees, their employers, and the state contribute financially to the retirement systems. Retired public employees in the defined benefit plans receive a guaranteed monthly benefit, most of which is spent in the same communities they served. These retirees, like all Montana citizens, pay income taxes on their monthly benefits.
The financial stability of defined benefit plans depends on contributions, investment returns, and benefits paid. The current unfunded actuarial liabilities of the retirement plans are significant. However, like a mortgage, they are intended to be paid down over a 30-year period. Any legislative adjustments to the plans’ funding should be carefully considered to ensure the plans’ future solvency and to protect public employees’ defined benefit payments.
Melanie Symons, AMRPE President
WELCOME
what we do
1- Advocate with the Legislature and the Montana Public Employees Retirement Board
2- Employ a professional lobbyist to advocate for public retirees at the legislature
3- Attend legislative committee meetings and speak out for public retirees
4- Keep our membership informed about issues that affect our lives
Our membership includes retirees from eight
retirement systems
01. PERS
Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) – state, city, county, school employees (other than teachers)
02. GWPORS
Game Wardens’ and Peace Officers’ Retirement System (GWPORS)
03. srs
Sheriffs’ Retirement System (SRS)
04. jrs
Judges’ Retirement System (JRS)
05. HPORS
Highway Patrol Officers’ Retirement System (HPORS)
06. MPORS
Municipal Police Officers’ Retirement System (MPORS)
07. FURS
Firefighters’ Unified Retirement System (FURS)
08. VFCA
Volunteer Firefighters Compensation Act (VFCA)
If you are already a member, please recruit a friend!
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