Pennsylvania Act 1951-295 — RELATING TO POLICE AND FIRE PENSIONS

Act text

RELATING TO POLICE AND FIRE PENSIONS
                 Act of Aug. 17, 1951, P.L. 1254, No. 295             Cl. 11
       (Act reenacted and amended Sept. 21, 1959, P.L.919, No.366)

                                  AN ACT

     Fixing the minimum pensions of policemen and firemen in certain
        cities.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

        Section 1.  (a)  Any policeman or fireman who, at the time
     this reenacting and amending act becomes effective or
     thereafter, is a beneficiary under any policemen's or firemen's
     pension or retirement system which was established by any city
     of the second class A, or to which any such city has made
     financial contributions or appropriations shall be paid not less
     than one hundred forty dollars ($140.00) per month.
        (b)  A city of the second class A may grant a cost-of-living
     increase to persons receiving an allowance from either the
     police or firemen's pension system, by reason of, and after
     termination of the services of any member of the retirement
     systems. The total allowance from the systems shall not exceed
     one-half of the salary currently paid to a patrolman or fireman
     of the highest pay grade.
        (c)  Retired members of the police and firemen's pension
     funds may receive an increase in their retirement allowance
     whenever active members of the system receive an increase in
     salary. The increase in allowance, when granted, shall be one-
     half of the salary increase paid to a policeman or fireman of
     the highest pay grade.
        (d)  Retirement allowance increases or cost-of-living
     increases shall not be granted unless the police or firemen's
     pension systems are actuarily sound and able to maintain the
     increases and allowances to retired members.
        (1 amended Apr. 25, 1968, P.L.97, No.47)
        Section 2.  The annual appropriation made by such city,
     whether or not it retains its classification as a city of the
     second class A, shall be sufficient, when added to the
     contributions made by members during such year, sums received
     from tax distributions, and income from investments, to pay in
     full the retirement allowance payable during such year.
        Section 3.  The provisions of this act shall not be applied
     so as to result in a reduction of the monthly payments to any
     beneficiary now receiving such payments.
        Section 4.  Any increase in pension payment received by any
     person under the provisions of this act shall be deemed cost-of-
     living increases, and shall not be construed as a permanent and
     binding obligation of the pension fund which will, in
     perpetuity, entitle present and future pensioners to secure
     pensions predicated upon such increases. Such increased pensions
     shall be subject to revision by the General Assembly in the
     event of a decline or a rise in the cost of living. In no event
     shall any decrease in living costs result in decreasing the
     pension payments in effect prior to the passage of this act.