The Peace Officers Research Association of California requested the evaluation of certain proposed changes in the retirement programs of local law enforcement agencies contracting with the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) of the State of California. These proposed changes are specified in Senate Bill no. 601, introduced in the California legislature on March 16, 1970. There is considerable differentiation among the local pension programs as contracted to PERS for by the various cities and counties. The benefits represented by many of these various plans are significantly less attractive than those contained in the retirement program for the California Highway Patrol and the comparable programs in Torrance, Inglewood, and Burbank. The additional benefits involve higher costs, and the basic question is whether the changes in retirement benefits and associated costs are warranted.