ERS Staff Administrative Services Andrea L. Rose Administrator Heather D. Brown Administrative Assistant Member Relations Antonia L. Lanier Member Relations Manager Lisa D. Butler Senior Retirement Benefits Analyst Angela Griggs-Montero Member Relations Assistant Technical Services Sheila S. Joynes Accounting Manager Ann L. McCosby IT Systems Manager/Leader Edward D. Sarkar IT Manager/Leader Office Hours Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 301-454-1415 |
History of the ERSThe Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (Commission) Employees' Retirement System (ERS) covers employees of the Commission, a body corporate of the State of Maryland, established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1927. The Commission is the bi-county agency empowered to acquire, develop, and administer a regional system of parks in the defined Metropolitan District, and to prepare and administer a general plan for the physical development of a defined Regional District for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. The Commission established a single employer defined benefit pension plan (the Plan) effective July 1, 1972, in accordance with the Trust Agreement between the Commission and the ERS Board of Trustees. Prior to that date, Commission employees were covered under the Maryland State Retirement System (Maryland State System). Employees who were covered by the Maryland State System were given the option of remaining with that system or transferring to the Plan.
Revisions to the Social Security tax structure and other fiscal considerations made it prudent to develop a new retirement plan, based on the principle of Social Security excess. Therefore, effective January 1, 1979, the Plan became The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Employees' Retirement System, encompassing three defined benefit plans: Plan A, the original plan; Plan B, for non-police, integrated with Social Security; and Plan C, only for Park Police. On July 1, 1990, a collectively bargained Plan D replaced Plan C, which was closed and all members transferred to the new Park Police Plan D. Effective July 1, 1993, again as a result of collective bargaining, Plan D was closed to new employees, and Plan C was amended and reopened to provide benefits for Park Police hired after July 1, 1993. Pursuant to a 2002 collective bargaining agreement, Plan D members were given a one-time election to transfer to Plan C on or before October 25, 2002. Membership in the ERS is mandatory for all full-time career Merit System employees hired on or after January 1, 1979, and full-time career employees of the ERS hired on or after March 1, 1994. Effective January 1, 2009, membership is mandatory for all other full and part-time career Merit System employees, Appointed Officials, Commissioners, and employees/directors appointed by the Commission/Planning Board to other full-time positions exempted by the Merit System. |
