Relating to service retirement benefits payable by the Employees Retirement System of Texas to certain law enforcement officers and custodial officers.

Contracts

• Employment Agreements: Update offer letters and contracts for OAG investigators, CPA peace officers, and TJJD custodial staff to reflect LECOS membership and mandatory payroll deductions.
• Collective Bargaining: If applicable, notify employee representatives regarding the reduction in net pay due to the new mandatory statutory deduction (0.5% to 2.0%).

Hiring/Training

• Job Classification: HR must audit job descriptions against new TJJD "hazardous duty" standards. You must affirmatively determine which "caseworkers" or "inspectors" qualify based on "regularly planned contact with youth."
• Recruitment: Update benefits packages in recruitment materials to reflect the 20-year retirement structure, which is a significant retention tool against private sector competitors.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Monthly Certification: Implement a workflow to certify to ERS the names of all eligible employees who began or ceased employment in the previous month. Deadline: 12th day of the following month.
• The "Snapshot" Roster: You must permanently preserve the employment roster from December 1, 2024. Employees on payroll as of this date are eligible for retroactive service credit; failure to produce this record will result in benefit disputes.

Fees & Costs

• Payroll Deductions: Configure payroll systems to deduct an additional 0.5% (Traditional Members) or 2.0% (Cash Balance Members) from the compensation of eligible officers for the LECOS fund.
• Refund Liability: Prepare a contingency mechanism to refund these deductions if the ERS Board issues a negative funding finding on October 1, 2025.