This summary provides a quick description of legislative bills signed by the Governor as they relate to NDPERS benefits.
Retirement Plans
Expands eligibility to include state firefighters in the NDPERS State Public Safety Retirement Plan.
Gives NDPERS the authority to fund the administrative expenses of the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan by charging participants. More information will be provided to members once the Board determines a fee structure.
This bill addresses various sections of HB 1040 (Closure of the Main Plan) passed during the previous 68th Legislative Assembly. It allows political subdivisions not participating in NDPERS Retirement to join the NDPERS Defined Contribution Plan. It provides for a lump sum cash infusion in lieu of the Actuarially Determined Employer Contribution (ADEC) if same or higher than ADEC. It defines state employer/state governmental unit for ADEC and the special election window/incentive. It allows for both in-plan and out-of-plan annuity options in the NDPERS Defined Contribution Plan.
Revises the definition of 'correctional officer' to include those employed by a correctional facility who are enrolled in a correctional officer course, but not yet certified, as a correctional officer by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Provides for a $25 million transfer from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to NDPERS for the purpose of reducing the unfunded liability of the Main Defined Benefit Plan. The transfer, which also estimates a $65 million transfer during the 2025-27 biennium, is in lieu of NDPERS charging state governmental units the Actuarily Determined Employer Contribution (ADEC) rate.
Expands eligibility to include state correctional officers in the NDPERS Public Safety Retirement Plan.
Revises the definition of 'correctional officer' and expands eligibility to include state dispatchers as well as political subdivision dispatchers and emergency medical services personnel in the Public Safety Retirement Plan.
Allows participating political subdivisions to discontinue their participation in the NDPERS Defined Contribution (DC) Plan starting August 1, 2025. There are no fees assessed to political subdivisions that choose to opt out of the DC Plan.
Opting out of the DC Plan does not impact employees enrolled in the NDPERS Main Defined Benefit Plan prior to its closure on January 1, 2025, nor does it impact current or future participation in the Public Safety Defined Benefit Plans.
States that a member who has reached normal retirement age or normal retirement date and is eligible for unreduced retirement benefits may not apply for a disability retirement benefit.
Provides for a $15 million cash infusion into the Highway Patrol Retirement Plan.
Clarifies or corrects various sections of North Dakota Century Code for consistency with federal law and how NDPERS administers the plans.
Health Insurance
Provides for continued $25/month cap for coverage of insulin and diabetic supplies within NDPERS active health insurance plans. .
This bill requires copayments for formulary drugs without a generic equivalent to apply to the out-of-pocket coinsurance maximum effective January 1, 2026.