Compensation & Benefits for Elected Officials

Structuring compensation and benefits for elected officials is particularly complex. It involves both state and federal law compliance, and errors can have serious implications for the official.
 
Best Best & Krieger LLP lawyers blend federal and state tax law knowledge with extensive experience representing public agencies and addressing benefit issues, which makes us ideally suited to advise on compensation and benefit offerings for elected officials. We understand that the “one-size-fits-all” approach to evaluating proposed compensation and benefit packages for elected officials is not viable and we are sensitive to the distinctions in enabling laws that prove critical in such evaluations. Keenly aware that guidance issued by state regulatory bodies often fails to consider the federal tax implications, we help clients navigate the pitfalls and ensure compliance with both federal and state laws. 
 
Our services include:

• Advising on timing and amount of compensation
• Identifying and eliminating the possibility of excess compensation
• Evaluating whether benefits are included or excluded from salary limitations
• Identifying permissible benefits that can be offered
• Serving as a buffer between staff and elected officials when difficult advice must be conveyed
• Determining whether retiree health benefits may be offered to elected officials
• Distinguishing between retired and former elected officials for purposes of determining eligibility for retiree benefits