NEW LEGISLATION WILL AFFECT ANYONE RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE IN TENNESSEE
2006
As part of the Ethics Legislation recently passed by the General Assembly, a provision was included affecting pension benefits. The provision relates to the forfeiture of pension benefits if the office holder is found guilty of misconduct that constitutes malfeasance in office. The law currently applies to those persons who become members of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, any superseded retirement system or any other public pension plan in Tennessee after July 1, 1982 if convicted of a state felony, or after May 31, 1993 if convicted of a federal felony. The new provision adds a consent to the forfeiture upon initial election and each reelection thereafter. The provision also covers all service accrued in a public pension plan, not just the service related to the elected capacity.
The provision found in Section 42 of Public Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2006 states in part as follows:
(3) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, each time a person is elected to a public office of this state or any political subdivision thereof, such person shall, as a condition of such election, be deemed to consent and agree to the forfeiture of such person’s retirement benefits from the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, any superseded retirement system or any other public pension system if such person is convicted in any state or federal court of a felony arising out of that person’s official capacity, constituting malfeasance in office. Notwith-standing the provisions of § 8-35-124(e) or any other law to the contrary, this subdivision (a)(3) shall apply regardless of the date the person became a memberof the public pension system, such person having consented to the provisions of this subsection as a condition of such election.
Persons convicted of a felony arising from their official duties, who are members of the pension system prior to the dates noted in the second paragraph above as set out in Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-35-124(e), and are not elected or reelected to public office are not affected.
Anyone having questions concerning the new law should contact their plan administrator.
Information provided by:
The Treasury Department
Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System
10th Floor Andrew Jackson State Office Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0230
Jill Bachus, Director
(615) 741-7063