Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §17806, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1993, c. 595, §6, is further amended to read:

3. Eligibility. Cost-of-living adjustments under this section must be applied to the retirement benefits of all retirees who have been retired for at least 12 months before the date that the adjustment becomes payable, except that a member who has less than 10 years of creditable service on July 1, 1993 may not receive a cost-of-living adjustment until at least 12 months after reaching normal retirement age. Beneficiaries of deceased retirees and members are eligible for the cost-of-living adjustment at the same time the deceased retiree or member would have become eligible. A member who is eligible to retire as of June 30, 1993 and who actually retires effective no later than July 1, 1994 is eligible for the cost-of-living adjustment if that member has been retired for at least 6 months before the date that the adjustment becomes payable.

SUMMARY

This bill reinstates the cost-of-living adjustment for retirement system members who retire before normal retirement age.