AN ACT CONCERNING HAZARD PENSIONS FOR CERTAIN JUDICIAL EMPLOYEES.

HB 6845 expands eligibility for a special hazardous duty pension under Connecticut's State Employees Retirement System (SERS) to include investigators in the Division of Criminal Justice, Division of Public Defender Services, and Superior Court's Support Enforcement Services. It allows these employees to count their service starting October 1, 2025, toward the pension, which provides more generous benefits than regular SERS membership (e.g., potentially full retirement after fewer years without age requirements). The bill directly affects approximately 107 investigators in these roles, with the state anticipating an annual cost increase of about $1.19 million compared to their regular pension costs. This change takes effect October 1, 2025, and requires these employees to contribute an additional 3-4% of their pay to the pension fund during their service.