Governor Cooper vetoed House Bill 1055 this week which would eliminate three of the current benefit payment options to educators and state employees who retire on or after January 1, 2019. Legislative fiscal staff has indicated that these options are not a cost to the state. The options proposed to be eliminated are social security leveling and two of the survivorship options with a "pop-up" provision. Past attempts to alter the retirement system have been ruled unconstitutional for taking away vested rights from educators and state employees. This could end up losing the state more money than it saves. NCAE is opposed to House Bill 1055 because it takes away an employee benefit and supports Governor Cooper's veto.