Nebraska § 68-601 - Social security; policy.

§ 68-601. Social security; policy.

(1) In order to extend to the employees of the state and its political subdivisions and to the dependents and survivors of such employees the basic protection accorded to others by the old age and survivors insurance system embodied in the Social Security Act, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Legislature, subject to the limitations of sections 68-601 to 68-631, that such steps be taken as to provide such protection to employees of the State of Nebraska and its political subdivisions on as broad a basis as is permitted under the act.

(2) In conformity with the policy of the Congress of the United States of America, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Nebraska that the protection afforded employees in positions covered by retirement systems on the date the state agreement is made applicable to service performed in such positions or receiving periodic benefits under such retirement systems at such time will not be impaired as a result of making the agreement so applicable or as a result of legislative or executive action taken in anticipation or in consequence thereof and that the benefits provided by the Social Security Act and made available to employees of the State of Nebraska and of political subdivisions thereof or instrumentalities jointly created by the state and any other state or states, who are or may be members of a retirement system, shall be supplementary to the benefits provided by such retirement system.

A member of a county mental health board, appointed pursuant to statute, is an "officer of the state or a political subdivision thereof" and, as such, is an employee of the State of Nebraska for the purposes of the Social Security Act. Sullivan v. Hajny, 210 Neb. 481, 315 N.W.2d 443 (1982).