ST. LOUIS – County employees that participate in the County Employees’ Retirement Fund (CERF) that are legally married (including same-sex couples) are now entitled to retirement benefits. There are 112 counties that participate in CERF that covers over 10,000 participants in Missouri.
“This action appropriately brings the county pension plan in line with recent court rulings in Missouri that clearly state that all marriages, regardless of where they were celebrated, deserve to be respected. I am pleased that Boone County employees and county employees throughout Missouri will have confidence that their hard-earned financial assets will be available to their spouse when it is needed,” Nicole Galloway, Boone County Treasurer, stated.
At the December 2, 2014 CERF Board Meeting the decision was made to recognize all couples. CERF defines spouse by reference to Missouri law. Due to the Barrier v. Vasterling decision, Missouri law currently recognizes same-sex spouses in states in which same-sex marriage is legal. If a same-sex couple is married in one of these states and moves to Missouri, then the couple would be considered married for purposes of the CERF retirement plans.
“All couples should have the benefit of planning for their future together,” said A.J. Bockelman, Executive Director of PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBT advocacy organization. “This is a simple act by CERF which now allows loving and committed couples the opportunity to make those plans.”
VIA PRESS RELEASE