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S 2234Veterans & Military

Public Officers and Employees - Retirement System - Membership and Service Credits

Allows police and firefighters to purchase state retirement credit for time served in the National Guard or Reserves.

Introduced38 Yea0 Nay0 Not voting
Population
Affected
8
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the Rhode Island General Laws regarding the state retirement system. It specifically allows active members who are police officers or firefighters to purchase retirement service credit for time served in the National Guard or Reserves. To qualify, the individual must be a veteran with an honorable discharge. The bill establishes a ratio where five years of Guard or Reserve service equals one year of creditable service, with a maximum purchase limit of four years of credit. The cost calculation remains consistent with existing military credit purchases.

For younger readers

This bill helps police officers and firefighters who also served in the military reserves, like the National Guard. When people work for the state, they earn points toward their retirement, which is money they get after they finish their careers. This new law says that police and firefighters can buy extra retirement points based on the time they spent in the National Guard. For every five years they served in the Guard, they can get one year of credit toward their retirement. This helps them reach their retirement goals.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Police OfficersFirefightersNational Guard MembersMilitary ReservistsState Retirement System Members
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Strengthens the social safety net and retirement security for public sector workers, specifically municipal employees in high-stress professions.
  • Recognizes and rewards the service of veterans, many of whom come from working-class backgrounds and rely on public service benefits for stability.
  • Supports labor rights by expanding the benefits available to unionized workers within the police and fire departments.
  • Prioritizes enhanced benefits for law enforcement personnel, which may be viewed as inequitable compared to benefits for teachers or social workers.
  • Potentially reinforces the "military-to-police pipeline" by creating specific financial incentives that link military service directly to law enforcement careers.
  • May divert future public funds to cover pension liabilities for police and fire sectors rather than investing in community-based social services.
For Conservatives
  • Demonstrates strong support for law enforcement and first responders, reinforcing the value of those who maintain law and order.
  • Honors the patriotic service of National Guard members and Reservists by providing them with tangible career benefits.
  • Encourages disciplined military veterans to enter the police and fire workforce, promoting a workforce with traditional values and training.
  • Expands the state's long-term pension liabilities, potentially placing a future financial burden on taxpayers if the buy-in cost does not cover the payout.
  • Increases the size and scope of government benefit programs rather than encouraging private-sector style retirement savings.
  • Creates a special class of benefits for government employees that is not available to the private sector workforce.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 9 additions · 2 deletions

SECTION 1. Section 36-9-31 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-9 entitled "Retirement System — Membership and Service Credits" is hereby amended to read as follows: 36-9-31. Armed service credit.

(a) Any active member of the retirement system, who served on active duty in the armed service of the United States or in the Merchant Marine service of the United States as defined in P.L. 1946, ch. 1721, § 2 may purchase credit for that service up to a maximum of four (4) years provided that he or she has received an honorable discharge. Provided further that any employee on an official leave of absence for illness or injury shall be eligible to purchase military credits as defined herein while on the leave of absence.

(b) Members of the retirement system who are police officers or firefighters, and who served in the national guard or reserves, and qualify as veterans, may purchase creditable service at a ratio of five (5) years of guard or reserve service to one year of creditable service, up to a maximum of four (4) years; provided that, they have received an honorable discharge. Provided further, that any police officer or firefighter on an official leave of absence for illness or injury shall be eligible to purchase military credits as defined in this section while on their leave of absence. (b)(c) The cost to purchase these credits shall be ten percent (10%) of the member’s first year’s earnings as a state employee as defined in chapter 9 of this title, multiplied by the number of years and fraction thereof of the armed service or Merchant Marine service up to a maximum of four (4) years. (c)(d) There will be no interest charge provided the member makes that purchase during his or her first five (5) years of membership in the retirement system, but will be charged regular interest to date of purchase from date of enrollment into membership if purchased after completing five (5) years of membership; provided, however, any member who was in the retirement system prior to July 1, 1980, would not be charged interest whenever he or she purchases the armed services credit.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.