Research

Administrative History

The Workmen's Compensation Act of 1913 (Chapter 816) granted the Workmen's Compensation Commission (later Workmen's Compensation Board) the discretion to require insurance carriers or employers to deposit into the State Insurance Fund, future payments owed to beneficiaries in workmen's compensation settlements. The board could require an insurance carrier or employer to pay into the fund, "an amount equal to the present value of all unpaid death benefits or other compensation in cases in which awards are made for total permanent or permanent partial disability" based on employer liability. The intended effect of this provision (Workers' Compensation Law, Section 27) was to protect injured workers or their beneficiaries from loss of financial compensation in the event of carrier or employer insolvency.

In 1939 (Chapter 937), Section 27 of the Workers' Compensation Law was amended and the first reference was made to the "Aggregate Trust Fund." Although the new fund was discrete, the State Insurance Fund remained its custodian and administrator. The purpose of the fund and the powers allocated to the Workmen's Compensation Commission remained the same.