SB291 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Beneficiaries, permit Supernumerary Circuit Clerk or Register to change beneficiary, seek refund under certain circumstances, Secs. 12-17-142, 12-17-143 am'd.

Summary

SB291 would allow non-spouse beneficiaries to receive Clerks' and Registers' Supernumerary Fund benefits, let officials change beneficiaries, provide refund options and a fund-plan, and adjust how the fund is managed and funded.

What This Bill Does

It expands who can receive benefits from the Supernumerary Fund beyond a surviving spouse and lets supernumerary officials change who is named. If there is no spouse or designated beneficiary, the official could receive a refund of contributions. Circuit Clerks and Registers could opt out of the Fund, and any remaining funds would be planned for after liabilities are met. The fund would be funded by a 6% contribution from participating clerks and registers, managed by the Employees' Retirement System of Alabama, with leftover money reverting to the Administrative Office of Courts for Court Specialists once obligations are paid.

Who It Affects

• Supernumerary circuit clerks and circuit registers and their spouses or other named beneficiaries, who can now designate non-spouse beneficiaries, change beneficiaries, or receive refunds if no beneficiary exists.
• Circuit clerks and circuit registers who participate in or may participate in the Clerks' and Registers' Supernumerary Fund (and the offices that administer the fund), who would have 6% of salary contributed to the fund, may opt out, and whose contributions and withdrawals are regulated under the new rules.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 12-17-142 and 12-17-143 to allow benefits to be paid to a beneficiary other than a spouse and to allow changes to the named beneficiary following the Employees' Retirement System of Alabama procedures.
• If a supernumerary official has no surviving spouse or designated beneficiary, the beneficiary can receive benefits equivalent to 100% of contributions plus 75% of accrued interest.
• Supernumerary officials may change the beneficiary (spouse or other named) under the ESR Alabama process.
• Allows circuit clerks and circuit registers to opt out of participation in the Clerks' and Registers' Supernumerary Fund.
• Establishes a plan for any remaining funds once all liabilities to participants are met.
• Contributions: circuit clerks and circuit registers who elect to participate contribute 6% of their total annual state compensation.
• Fund managed by the Employees' Retirement System of Alabama; investment and administrative responsibilities assigned to the Secretary-Treasurer.
• Withdrawal option: living participants may stop participating and receive 100% of contributions plus 75% of accrued interest, ending further contributions.
• Any remaining funds after obligations are met revert to the Administrative Office of Courts to benefit Court Specialists statewide.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Beneficiaries