PROVIDENCE, R.I. - General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo today announced the release of "An Employee's Guide to Understanding the Rhode Island Retirement Security Act," a comprehensive guide to retirement eligibility and benefits under the Rhode Island Retirement Security Act of 2011 (RIRSA) for state employees, teachers, MERS general employees, MERS police and fire, correctional officers, BHDDH nurses, state police and judges. The guide is available online at www.ersri.org and at www.treasury.ri.gov/secure-path-ri.
"My top priority is ensuring that all ERSRI members have the information they need to make the retirement choices that are best for them," Raimondo said. "This guide offers information that ERSRI members can use to plan for their future, such as the fact that there is no incentive to retire early and that benefits accrued as of June 30, 2012 are protected under RIRSA."
The new guide's release kicks off the Treasurer's robust campaign aimed at educating ERSRI members about how the new law, which fully takes effect on July 1, 2012, will affect their retirement eligibility and pension benefits. During the coming months, Treasury and ERSRI will offer additional tools and educational materials designed to assist ERSRI members, including:
- New online retirement eligibility calculators - A special newsletter for all members and retirees - Online tutorials - Extended hours for retirement counselors - Informational meetings in communities
"ERSRI members are understandably eager to learn how the reform will affect them," Raimondo said. "This guide, along with the additional tools and materials that Treasury will offer, is designed to be a comprehensive resource for retirement planning."
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