St. Joseph County Council President Dan Schaetzle will hold a press conference at noon on Thursday, Dec. 4, to discuss why council leadership has asked the Indiana Public Retirement System to investigate whether former County Council attorneys received improper retirement benefits.

Schaetzle said he began questioning the issue in early 2024 after reviewing work records, emails, and state PERF rules. He later consulted additional legal sources, who agreed the Council attorney position does not qualify for PERF benefits under state rules and county ordinances. The current Council attorney, hired in January 2025, no longer receives PERF benefits.

A complaint from a county resident prompted further review, but some council members opposed an internal investigation. The Council’s rules committee then forwarded all documents to INPRS, which now has full responsibility for determining whether any benefits were awarded improperly.

“We take these concerns seriously and want to ensure all rules were followed,” Schaetzle said.

County officials say they will cooperate with the state inquiry.