MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
Government employees may soon be able to count some of their overtime pay toward their retirement benefits, after the proposal passed both houses in the Legislature. WSFA 12 News broke the story last year that the Attorney General's office had determined that overtime pay could not count.
Since then, lawmakers worked to change the policy. And now, both the House and Senate have passed a bill to make it happen.
Many local police departments participate in the state's retirement plan. Many law enforcement officers worked overtime toward the end of their careers to boost their pensions, and were stunned when the changes went into effect.
"Unfortunately with society the way it is, if the officers didn't work overtime, there wouldn't be adequate law enforcement on the streets," said Lt. Scott Swanson, Administrative Commander with the Selma Police Department.
Many officers already vested in the system before September 1st, 2011 could keep their benefits. Nevertheless, the Attorney General encouraged the Legislature to act. The bill that passed allows overtime pay to be calculated into retirement benefits - up to 20% of regular pay earned.
Governor Robert Bentley supports the legislation and intends to sign it into law.
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