The 2012 Va. General Assembly started its session Jan. 11, and it will last 60 days. Remember the old saying that "no man's life or property is safe while the General Assembly is in session". This is as true today as it was years ago. I will be following bills that are related to retiree benefits and the Virginia Retirement System

.

There are two bills that have been filed that may be of interest to us.

They are:

H.B. 257. It permits any locality or school board to establish a defined contribution plan, in lieu of any other retirement plan, for employees hired after such plan is established. This is part of the city's legislative package.

S.J. 5. This is a constitutional amendment which would allow the General Assembly to make contributions to VRS that are less than what the VRS Board of Trustees recommends as long as it makes a certain minimum payment.

You can follow these bills and any other bills by going to the internet and on your address bar typing Lis.virginia.va. You can also look up Virginia General Assembly on the internet and find just about anything. If you need help or want advice, please contact me at dmgrochmal@cox.net.

David M. Grochmal