MEDIA STATEMENT
August 6, 2020
Media
Contact: Heather Case, Senior Policy Advisor
Kevin Olineck, director of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), released the following
statement on Thursday, August 6, following the Oregon Supreme Court's ruling in
James v. State of Oregon, which upheld the challenged aspects of Senate Bill 1049 (2019), specifically the
Member Redirect and Salary Limit components:
“In light of the Oregon Supreme Court's decision in
James, PERS, the agency, will continue to administer and implement all aspects of Senate Bill 1049 as the
law was written.
“We will keep creating additional materials and sharing information through our website, newsletters, and other
publications to ensure nonretired public employees, and their employers, fully understand the Senate Bill 1049
changes. We strive to be public employees' retirement education resource and appreciate our members' and
employers' patience and understanding as we work to implement all aspects of Senate Bill
1049."
Resources:
###
The Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) serves the people of Oregon by administering public
employee benefit trusts to pay the right person, the right benefit, at the right time. The Oregon Legislature is
the “plan sponsor" for PERS, the system, and has the sole authority to determine the benefit structure for
public employees.
PERS, the agency, administers the retirement system in partnership with more than 900 Oregon public employers,
including school districts, special districts, cities, counties, community colleges, universities, and state
agencies. PERS engages with more than 374,000 current and former Oregon public employees or their beneficiaries.
PERS also administers the PERS Health Insurance Program, a health insurance program for retirees, and the Oregon
Savings Growth Plan, a 457(b) voluntary deferred compensation program.