Dr. Dawn Lewis

The purpose of this study was to create a legislative and actuarial history of the School Employees Retirement Act and the Class V School Employees Retirement Act of the State of Nebraska. These acts define the retirement plans of every public school employee across the state of Nebraska. The study was conducted by analyzing documents, including legislative journals, session laws, committee hearing and floor debate transcripts, and actuarial reports to create a history of the bills passed by the Unicameral from 1945 until today, and identify the specific impact they had on the function of the plans. Information was also gathered by identifying current policy shaping individuals and conducting interviews to gather information regarding perceptions of the strengths, weaknesses, and future of the plans. The result of the research is a historical document that summarizes the many changes the plans have undergone, in an effort to inform current lawmakers of the history of these changes, to assist in making decisions connected to future legislation.