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After
two years of hard work by NAPO, the Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety
(H.E.L.P.S.) Retirees Act, was signed into
law on August 17, 2006. The H.E.L.P.S.
Retirees Act allows retired public safety officers to use up to
$3,000 annually from their pension funds, including defined benefit
plans and defined contribution plans, to
pay for qualified health insurance premiums without taxing
these distributions. It will go into effect on January
1, 2007.
“This
law greatly assists law enforcement officers, who often retire earlier
than those in other occupations because of the physical demands
and unique job hazards they face, by providing them with means to
more affordable healthcare options,” states NAPO Executive Director
Bill Johnson. “It helps to
preserve the retirement security and the health of those public
servants who selflessly serve and protect our communities.”
NAPO has been a primary supporter of the “H.E.L.P.S. Retirees Act” since
the beginning and fought tirelessly to see this legislation implemented. NAPO worked closely
with members of Congress and their staff, as well as other organizations
like the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems
(NCPERS) to push this Act through Congress.
If
you have any questions regarding the implementation of the H.E.L.P.S.
Retirees Act or need further information concerning eligibility
or how to take advantage of this benefit, NAPO recommends you visit the NCPERS website, www.ncpers.org, and click on the link “HELPS
Implementation Resources.” On
this website you will find FAQs, model
enrollment forms, and an implementation check list, among other
resources.
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