NH Pension Reform Panel Appointed

NH House Speaker Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson, recently announced the formation of a 14-member committee charged with considering all matters pertaining to the functioning, revision and reform of public employee pension plans and programs.

“Our public employee pension system has one of the highest unfunded rates in the nation,” Jasper said in a statement. “We need to find ways to reduce that unfunded liability and reform our public employee pension system in a way that protects our retirees and ensures a solvent retirement system for future generations,” added Jasper.

Veteran lawmaker state Rep. David Hess, R-Hooksett, will lead the Special Committee on Public Employee Pension Plans.

The committee will also look at the funding of public employee pension plans and programs; eligibility for participation in and benefits under public employee pension plans and programs; and alternative public employee pension plans and programs.

State Rep. John Sytek, R-Salem, will assist Hess as the vice chairman.

Also named to the new pension committee were state Rep. Neal Kurk, R-Weare; state Rep. William Infantine, R-Manchester; state Rep. Gary Azarian, R-Salem; state Rep. William Ohm, R-Nashua; Rep. Frank Byron, R-Litchfield; state Rep. Mark Proulx, R-Manchester; state Rep. Jeffrey Goley, D-Manchester; state Rep. Daniel Sullivan, D-Manchester; state Rep. Patricia Lovejoy, D-Stratham; state Rep. Dianne Schuett, D-Pembroke; state Rep. Len DiSesa, D-Dover; and state Rep. Frank Edelblut, R-Wilton.

Submitted text.