Passage of HB282
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2025 ・ Concord, NH
Good morning, everyone,
Yesterday marked a historic moment for all of us. The passage of HB282 represents the most meaningful progress Group II members have seen in over a decade. This legislation restores several key elements of our retirement benefits, correcting injustices that date back to 2011.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Governor Ayotte and her team for their tireless advocacy. Their leadership played a pivotal role in achieving this milestone.
Highlights of HB282 include:
A 2.5% benefit for all years of service for currently employed Group II members
A “high five” calculation to determine Average Final Compensation (AFC), with continued service requirements to access full benefits
Inclusion of annual leave payouts (not sick leave) in the AFC calculation at retirement
A $145,000 cap on benefits, applied retroactively for all Group II employees
While this legislation does not fulfill every hope we had, it reflects meaningful progress. Governor Ayotte championed a full restoration of benefits—even in the face of intra-party differences—and remained committed to our cause until the final hours of negotiation. Ultimately, a compromise was necessary to move the broader budget forward.
Our legal and policy teams are currently reviewing the finer details of the bill. Questions remain around certain provisions—particularly the retroactive application of benefit changes to members not impacted by the 2011 adjustments—and we will continue to monitor and assess their implications.
Importantly, this bill does not provide relief to those who have already retired. For this reason—and to ensure justice for all affected Group II members—our legal efforts will continue.
We remain steadfast in our mission and deeply grateful for your support and engagement. Together, we will keep pushing until a truly fair and comprehensive resolution is achieved for every Group II member.
Respectfully,
Seifu Ragassa
President