CS/HB 1405

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to retirement; amending s. 121.021, F.S.;
3redefining the term "termination"; amending s. 121.053,
4F.S.; revising provisions relating to participation in the
5Elected Officers' Class for retired members; amending s.
6121.055, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
7participation in the Senior Management Service Class;
8amending s. 121.091, F.S.; revising limitations on the
9payment of retirement benefits for certain retired persons
10who are reemployed by an employer participating in a
11state-administered retirement system; deleting a
12restriction on the reemployment of certain personnel by
13the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; prohibiting
14certain persons holding public office from electing to
15retire while continuing employment in that elected office;
16deleting a provision authorizing an employing agency to
17reemploy a retired member as a firefighter or paramedic
18after a specified period; providing certain limitations
19for DROP participants; clarifying that DROP participation
20cannot be canceled; providing for the suspension of DROP
21benefits to a participant who is reemployed; authorizing
22the Division of Retirement to issue benefits directly to
23the alternate payee pursuant to an income deduction order
24or a qualified domestic relations order; repealing s.
25121.093, F.S., authorizing a developmental research school
26and the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind to
27reemploy instructional personnel after retirement;
28repealing s. 121.094, F.S., authorizing charter schools to
29reemploy instructional personnel after retirement;
30amending s. 121.122, F.S.; providing that certain persons
31are ineligible for renewed membership in the Florida
32Retirement System; amending s. 121.35, F.S.; providing a
33cross-reference; repealing s. 121.45, F.S., relating to
34interstate compacts for pension portability; amending s.
35121.4501, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
36"eligible employee" for purposes of the Public Employee
37Optional Retirement Program; amending s. 121.591, F.S.;
38providing a cross-reference; providing an effective date.
39
40Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
41
42     Section 1.  Subsection (39) of section 121.021, Florida
43Statutes, is amended to read:
44     121.021  Definitions.--The following words and phrases as
45used in this chapter have the respective meanings set forth
46unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:
47     (39)(a)  "Termination" occurs, except as provided in
48paragraph (b), when:
49     1.  For retirements effective before January 1, 2009, a
50member ceases all employment relationships with employers under
51this system, as defined in subsection (10), but in the event a
52member should be employed by any such employer within the next
53calendar month, termination shall be deemed not to have
54occurred. A leave of absence shall constitute a continuation of
55the employment relationship, except that a leave of absence
56without pay due to disability may constitute termination for a
57member, if such member makes application for and is approved for
58disability retirement in accordance with s. 121.091(4). The
59department or board may require other evidence of termination as
60it deems necessary.
61     2.  For retirements effective on or after January 1, 2009,
62a member ceases all employment relationships with employers
63under this system, as defined in subsection (10), but in the
64event a member should be employed by any such employer within
65the next 12 calendar months, termination shall be deemed not to
66have occurred. A leave of absence shall constitute a
67continuation of the employment relationship, except that a leave
68of absence without pay due to disability may constitute
69termination for a member, if such member makes application for
70and is approved for disability retirement in accordance with s.
71121.091(4). The department or board may require other evidence
72of termination as it deems necessary.
73     (b)  "Termination" for a member electing to participate
74under the Deferred Retirement Option Program occurs when the
75Deferred Retirement Option Program participant ceases all
76employment relationships with employers under this system in
77accordance with s. 121.091(13), but:
78     1.  For DROP termination dates before January 1, 2009, in
79the event the Deferred Retirement Option Program participant
80should be employed by any such employer within the next calendar
81month, termination will be deemed not to have occurred, except
82as provided in s. 121.091(13)(b)4.c. A leave of absence shall
83constitute a continuation of the employment relationship.
84     2.  For DROP termination dates on or after January 1, 2009,
85in the event the DROP participant should be employed by any such
86employer within the next 12 calendar months, termination will be
87deemed not to have occurred, except as provided in s.
88121.091(13)(b)4.c. A leave of absence shall constitute a
89continuation of the employment relationship.
90     Section 2.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 121.053,
91Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
92     121.053  Participation in the Elected Officers' Class for
93retired members.--
94     (1)(a)1.  Any retiree of a state-administered retirement
95system who initially serves in an elective office in a regularly
96established position with a covered employer on or after January
971, 2009, shall not be enrolled in the Florida Retirement System.
98     2.  An elected officer who is elected or appointed to an
99elective office and is participating in the Deferred Retirement
100Option Program is subject to termination as provided in s.
101121.021(39)(b), and reemployment limitations as provided in s.
102121.091(9), upon completion of his or her DROP participation
103period.
104     (b)  Before January 1, 2009, any member who retired under
105any existing system as defined in s. 121.021(2), and receives a
106benefit thereof, and who serves in an office covered by the
107Elected Officers' Class for a period of at least 6 years, shall
108be entitled to receive an additional retirement benefit for such
109elected officer service prior to July 1, 1990, under the Elected
110Officers' Class of the Florida Retirement System, as follows:
111     1.  Upon completion of 6 or more years of creditable
112service in an office covered by the Elected Officers' Class, s.
113121.052, such member shall notify the administrator of his or
114her intent to purchase elected officer service prior to July 1,
1151990, and shall pay the member contribution applicable for the
116period being claimed, plus 4 percent interest compounded
117annually from the first year of service claimed until July 1,
1181975, and 6.5 percent interest compounded annually thereafter,
119until full payment is made to the Florida Retirement System
120Trust Fund; however, such member may purchase retirement credit
121under the Elected Officers' Class only for such service as an
122elected officer.
123     2.  Upon payment of the amount specified in subparagraph
1241., the employer shall pay into the Florida Retirement System
125Trust Fund the applicable employer contribution for the period
126of elected officer service prior to July 1, 1990, being claimed
127by the member, plus 4 percent interest compounded annually from
128the first year of service claimed until July 1, 1975, and 6.5
129percent interest compounded annually thereafter, until full
130payment is made to the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund.
131     (c)(b)  Any retired member of the Florida Retirement
132System, or any existing system as defined in s. 121.021(2), who,
133on or after July 1, 1990, through December 31, 2008, is serving
134in, or is elected or appointed to, an elective office covered by
135the Elected Officers' Class shall be enrolled in the appropriate
136subclass of the Elected Officers' Class of the Florida
137Retirement System, and applicable contributions shall be paid
138into the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund as provided in s.
139121.052(7). Pursuant thereto:
140     1.  Any such retired member shall be eligible to continue
141to receive retirement benefits as well as compensation for the
142elected officer service for as long as he or she remains in an
143elective office covered by the Elected Officers' Class.
144     2.  If any such member serves in an elective office covered
145by the Elected Officers' Class and becomes vested under that
146class, he or she shall be entitled to receive an additional
147retirement benefit for such elected officer service.
148     3.  Such member shall be entitled to purchase additional
149retirement credit in the Elected Officers' Class for any
150postretirement service performed in an elected position eligible
151for the Elected Officers' Class prior to July 1, 1990, or in the
152Regular Class for any postretirement service performed in any
153other regularly established position prior to July 1, 1991, by
154paying the applicable Elected Officers' Class or Regular Class
155employee and employer contributions for the period being
156claimed, plus 4 percent interest compounded annually from the
157first year of service claimed until July 1, 1975, and 6.5
158percent interest compounded thereafter, until full payment is
159made to the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund. The
160contribution for postretirement Regular Class service between
161July 1, 1985, and July 1, 1991, for which the reemployed retiree
162contribution was paid, shall be the difference between such
163contribution and the total applicable contribution for the
164period being claimed, plus interest. The employer of such member
165may pay the applicable employer contribution in lieu of the
166member. If a member does not wish to claim credit for all of the
167postretirement service for which he or she is eligible, the
168service the member claims must be the most recent service.
169     4.  Creditable service for which credit was received, or
170which remained unclaimed, at retirement may not be claimed or
171applied toward service credit earned following renewed
172membership. However, service earned in accordance with the
173renewed membership provisions in s. 121.122 may be used in
174conjunction with creditable service earned under this paragraph,
175provided applicable vesting requirements and other existing
176statutory conditions required by this chapter are met.
177     5.  An elected officer who is elected or appointed to an
178elective office and is participating in the Deferred Retirement
179Option Program before January 1, 2009, is not subject to
180termination as provided in s. 121.021(39)(b), or reemployment
181limitations as provided in s. 121.091(9), until the end of his
182or her current term of office or, if the officer is
183consecutively elected or reelected to an elective office
184eligible for coverage under the Florida Retirement System, until
185he or she no longer holds such an elective office, as follows:
186     a.  At the end of the 60-month DROP period:
187     (I)  The officer's DROP account shall accrue no additional
188monthly benefits, but shall continue to earn interest as
189provided in s. 121.091(13).
190     (II)  No retirement contributions shall be required of the
191employer of the elected officer and no additional retirement
192credit shall be earned under the Florida Retirement System.
193     b.  Nothing herein shall prevent an elected officer from
194voluntarily terminating his or her elective office at any time
195and electing to receive his or her DROP proceeds. However, until
196termination requirements are fulfilled as provided in s.
197121.021(39), any elected officer whose termination limitations
198are extended by this section shall be ineligible for renewed
199membership in the system and shall receive no pension payments,
200DROP lump sum payments, or any other state payment other than
201the statutorily determined salary, travel, and per diem for the
202elective office.
203     c.  Upon termination, the officer shall receive his or her
204accumulated DROP account, plus interest, and shall accrue and
205commence receiving monthly retirement benefits, which shall be
206paid on a prospective basis only.
207
208However, an officer electing to participate in the Deferred
209Retirement Option Program on or before June 30, 2002, shall not
210be required to terminate and shall remain subject to the
211provisions of this subparagraph as adopted in section 1 of
212chapter 2001-235, Laws of Florida.
213     (2)  Upon attaining his or her normal retirement date and
214payment of the amount specified in paragraphs (1)(b) and (c)
215(1)(a) and (b), and upon application to the administrator of the
216intent to retire, the member shall receive a monthly benefit
217under this section, in addition to any benefits already being
218received, which shall commence on the last day of the month of
219retirement and be payable on the last day of the month
220thereafter during his or her lifetime. The amount of such
221monthly benefit shall be the total percentage of retirement
222credit purchased under this section multiplied by the member's
223average monthly compensation as an elected officer, adjusted
224according to the option selected at retirement under s.
225121.091(6).
226     Section 3.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) and paragraph
227(c) of subsection (6) of section 121.055, Florida Statutes, are
228amended to read:
229     121.055  Senior Management Service Class.--There is hereby
230established a separate class of membership within the Florida
231Retirement System to be known as the "Senior Management Service
232Class," which shall become effective February 1, 1987.
233     (1)
234     (f)  Effective July 1, 1997:
235     1.  Except as provided in subparagraph 3., any elected
236state officer eligible for membership in the Elected Officers'
237Class under s. 121.052(2)(a), (b), or (c) who elects membership
238in the Senior Management Service Class under s. 121.052(3)(c)
239may, within 6 months after assuming office or within 6 months
240after this act becomes a law for serving elected state officers,
241elect to participate in the Senior Management Service Optional
242Annuity Program, as provided in subsection (6), in lieu of
243membership in the Senior Management Service Class.
244     2.  Except as provided in subparagraph 3., any elected
245county officer eligible for membership in the Elected Officers'
246Class under s. 121.052(2)(d) who elects membership in the Senior
247Management Service Class under s. 121.052(3)(c) may, within 6
248months after assuming office, or within 6 months after this act
249becomes a law for serving elected county officers, elect to
250withdraw from the Florida Retirement System participate in a
251lifetime monthly annuity program, as provided in subparagraph
252(b)2., in lieu of membership in the Senior Management Service
253Class.
254     3.  Any retiree of a state-administered retirement system
255who is initially reemployed on or after January 1, 2009, as an
256elected official eligible for Elected Officers' Class membership
257shall not be eligible for renewed membership in the Senior
258Management Service Optional Annuity Program as provided in
259subsection (6) or to withdraw from the Florida Retirement System
260as a renewed member as provided in subparagraph (b)2., as
261applicable, in lieu of Senior Management Service Class
262membership.
263     (6)
264     (c)  Participation.--
265     1.  Any eligible employee who is employed on or before
266February 1, 1987, may elect to participate in the optional
267annuity program in lieu of participation in the Senior
268Management Service Class. Such election shall be made in writing
269and filed with the department and the personnel officer of the
270employer on or before May 1, 1987. Any eligible employee who is
271employed on or before February 1, 1987, and who fails to make an
272election to participate in the optional annuity program by May
2731, 1987, shall be deemed to have elected membership in the
274Senior Management Service Class.
275     2.  Except as provided in subparagraph 6., any employee who
276becomes eligible to participate in the optional annuity program
277by reason of initial employment commencing after February 1,
2781987, may, within 90 days after the date of commencement of
279employment, elect to participate in the optional annuity
280program. Such election shall be made in writing and filed with
281the personnel officer of the employer. Any eligible employee who
282does not within 90 days after commencement of such employment
283elect to participate in the optional annuity program shall be
284deemed to have elected membership in the Senior Management
285Service Class.
286     3.  A person who is appointed to a position in the Senior
287Management Service Class and who is a member of an existing
288retirement system or the Special Risk or Special Risk
289Administrative Support Classes of the Florida Retirement System
290may elect to remain in such system or class in lieu of
291participation in the Senior Management Service Class or optional
292annuity program. Such election shall be made in writing and
293filed with the department and the personnel officer of the
294employer within 90 days of such appointment. Any eligible
295employee who fails to make an election to participate in the
296existing system, the Special Risk Class of the Florida
297Retirement System, the Special Risk Administrative Support Class
298of the Florida Retirement System, or the optional annuity
299program shall be deemed to have elected membership in the Senior
300Management Service Class.
301     4.  Except as provided in subparagraph 5., an employee's
302election to participate in the optional annuity program is
303irrevocable as long as such employee continues to be employed in
304an eligible position and continues to meet the eligibility
305requirements set forth in this paragraph.
306     5.  Effective from July 1, 2002, through September 30,
3072002, any active employee in a regularly established position
308who has elected to participate in the Senior Management Service
309Optional Annuity Program has one opportunity to choose to move
310from the Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program to
311the Florida Retirement System defined benefit program.
312     a.  The election must be made in writing and must be filed
313with the department and the personnel officer of the employer
314before October 1, 2002, or, in the case of an active employee
315who is on a leave of absence on July 1, 2002, within 90 days
316after the conclusion of the leave of absence. This election is
317irrevocable.
318     b.  The employee will receive service credit under the
319defined benefit program of the Florida Retirement System equal
320to his or her years of service under the Senior Management
321Service Optional Annuity Program. The cost for such credit shall
322be an amount representing the present value of that employee's
323accumulated benefit obligation for the affected period of
324service.
325     c.  The employee must transfer the total accumulated
326employer contributions and earnings on deposit in his or her
327Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program account. If
328the transferred amount is not sufficient to pay the amount due,
329the employee must pay a sum representing the remainder of the
330amount due. In no case may the employee retain any employer
331contributions or earnings thereon from the Senior Management
332Service Optional Annuity Program account.
333     6.  Any retiree of a state-administered retirement system
334who is initially reemployed on or after January 1, 2009, shall
335not be eligible for renewed membership in the Senior Management
336Service Optional Annuity Program.
337     Section 4.  Subsections (9), (13), and (14) of section
338121.091, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
339     121.091  Benefits payable under the system.--Benefits may
340not be paid under this section unless the member has terminated
341employment as provided in s. 121.021(39)(a) or begun
342participation in the Deferred Retirement Option Program as
343provided in subsection (13), and a proper application has been
344filed in the manner prescribed by the department. The department
345may cancel an application for retirement benefits when the
346member or beneficiary fails to timely provide the information
347and documents required by this chapter and the department's
348rules. The department shall adopt rules establishing procedures
349for application for retirement benefits and for the cancellation
350of such application when the required information or documents
351are not received.
352     (9)  EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT; LIMITATION.--
353     (a)  Any person who is retired under this chapter, except
354under the disability retirement provisions of subsection (4),
355may be employed by an employer that does not participate in a
356state-administered retirement system and may receive
357compensation from that employment without limiting or
358restricting in any way the retirement benefits payable to that
359person.
360     (b)1.a.  Any person who is retired under this chapter,
361except under the disability retirement provisions of subsection
362(4), may be reemployed by any private or public employer after
363retirement and receive retirement benefits and compensation from
364the his or her employer without limitation any limitations,
365except that the a person may not receive both a salary from
366reemployment with any agency participating in the Florida
367Retirement System and retirement benefits under this chapter for
368a period of 12 calendar months immediately after subsequent to
369the calendar month that termination is met as defined in s.
370121.021(39), except as provided in sub-subparagraph b. date of
371retirement. However, a DROP participant may shall continue
372employment and receive a salary during the period of
373participation in DROP the Deferred Retirement Option Program, as
374provided in subsection (13).
375     b.  Any person who is retired under a state-administered
376retirement system may not receive a retirement benefit if he or
377she receives compensation totaling $100,000 or more from an
378employer participating in the Florida Retirement System. This
379limitation begins immediately upon employment if the annualized
380compensation meets or exceeds the limit, or in the month that
381reported compensation meets or exceeds the limit during the plan
382year, and continues for as long as the expected payments equal
383or exceed $100,000. This limitation includes payments as defined
384in s. 121.021(22) for work performed in regularly established
385positions. The employer is responsible for notifying the
386Division of Retirement when this occurs, either at employment or
387if salary increases lead to the level specified. Any person
388employed in violation of this sub-subparagraph and any employing
389agency that knowingly employs or appoints such person without
390notifying the Division of Retirement to suspend retirement
391benefits shall be jointly and severally liable for reimbursement
392to the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund of any benefits paid
393during the reemployment limitation period.
394     2.  Any person to whom the limitation in subparagraph 1.
395applies who violates such reemployment limitation and who is
396reemployed with any agency participating in the Florida
397Retirement System after he or she has been retired and met the
398definition of termination in s. 121.021(39), but before
399completion of the 12-month limitation period, must shall give
400timely notice of this fact in writing to the employer and to the
401Division of Retirement and shall have his or her retirement
402benefits suspended while employed during for the balance of the
40312-month limitation period unless the person exceeds the 780-
404hour limitation in subparagraph 4. or subparagraph 5. Any person
405employed in violation of this paragraph and any employing agency
406that which knowingly employs or appoints such person without
407notifying the division of Retirement to suspend retirement
408benefits are shall be jointly and severally liable for
409reimbursement to the retirement trust fund of any benefits paid
410during the reemployment limitation period. To avoid liability,
411the such employing agency must shall have a written statement
412from the retiree that he or she is not retired from a state-
413administered retirement system. Any retirement benefits received
414while reemployed during this reemployment limitation period must
415shall be repaid to the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund
416retirement trust fund, and retirement benefits shall remain
417suspended until such repayment has been made. Benefits suspended
418beyond the reemployment limitation shall apply toward repayment
419of benefits received in violation of the reemployment
420limitation.
421     3.  A district school board may reemploy a retired member
422as a substitute or hourly teacher, education paraprofessional,
423transportation assistant, bus driver, or food service worker on
424a noncontractual basis after he or she has been retired and met
425the definition of termination for 1 calendar month, in
426accordance with s. 121.021(39). A district school board may
427reemploy a retired member as instructional personnel, as defined
428in s. 1012.01(2)(a), on an annual contractual basis after he or
429she has been retired for 1 calendar month, in accordance with s.
430121.021(39). Any other retired member who is reemployed before
431meeting the definition of termination voids within 1 calendar
432month after retirement shall void his or her application for
433retirement benefits. District school boards reemploying such
434teachers, education paraprofessionals, transportation
435assistants, bus drivers, or food service workers are subject to
436the retirement contribution required by subparagraph 7.
437     4.  A community college board of trustees may reemploy a
438retired member as an adjunct instructor, that is, an instructor
439who is noncontractual and part-time, or as a participant in a
440phased retirement program within the Florida Community College
441System, after he or she has been retired and met the definition
442of termination for 1 calendar month, in accordance with s.
443121.021(39). Any retired member who is reemployed before meeting
444the definition of termination voids within 1 calendar month
445after retirement shall void his or her application for
446retirement benefits. Boards of trustees reemploying such
447instructors are subject to the retirement contribution required
448in subparagraph 7. A retired member may be reemployed as an
449adjunct instructor for no more than 780 hours during the first
45012 calendar months after meeting the definition of termination
451of retirement. Any retired member reemployed for more than 780
452hours during the first 12 months of retirement must shall give
453timely notice in writing to the employer and to the Division of
454Retirement of the date he or she will exceed the limitation. The
455division shall suspend his or her retirement benefits for the
456remainder of the 12-month limitation period first 12 months of
457retirement. Any person employed in violation of this
458subparagraph and any employing agency that which knowingly
459employs or appoints such person without notifying the division
460of Retirement to suspend retirement benefits are shall be
461jointly and severally liable for reimbursement to the retirement
462trust fund of any benefits paid during the reemployment
463limitation period. To avoid liability, the such employing agency
464must shall have a written statement from the retiree that he or
465she is not retired from a state-administered retirement system.
466Any retirement benefits received by a retired member while
467reemployed in excess of 780 hours during the 12-month limitation
468period must first 12 months of retirement shall be repaid to the
469Florida Retirement System Trust Fund, and retirement benefits
470shall remain suspended until repayment is made. Benefits
471suspended beyond the end of the 12-month limitation period
472retired member's first 12 months of retirement shall apply
473toward repayment of benefits received in violation of the 780-
474hour reemployment limitation.
475     5.  The State University System may reemploy a retired
476member as an adjunct faculty member or as a participant in a
477phased retirement program within the State University System
478after the retired member has met the definition of termination
479been retired for 1 calendar month, in accordance with s.
480121.021(39). Any retired member who is reemployed before meeting
481the definition of termination voids within 1 calendar month
482after retirement shall void his or her application for
483retirement benefits. The State University System is subject to
484the retired contribution required in subparagraph 7., as
485appropriate. A retired member may be reemployed as an adjunct
486faculty member or a participant in a phased retirement program
487for no more than 780 hours during the first 12 calendar months
488after meeting the definition of termination of his or her
489retirement. Any retired member reemployed for more than 780
490hours during the 12-month limitation period first 12 months of
491retirement shall give timely notice in writing to the employer
492and to the Division of Retirement of the date he or she will
493exceed the limitation. The division shall suspend his or her
494retirement benefits for the remainder of the 12-month limitation
495period first 12 months of retirement. Any person employed in
496violation of this subparagraph and any employing agency that
497which knowingly employs or appoints such person without
498notifying the division of Retirement to suspend retirement
499benefits are shall be jointly and severally liable for
500reimbursement to the retirement trust fund of any benefits paid
501during the reemployment limitation period. To avoid liability,
502such employing agency must shall have a written statement from
503the retiree that he or she is not retired from a state-
504administered retirement system. Any retirement benefits received
505by a retired member while reemployed in excess of 780 hours
506during the first 12 months of retirement must shall be repaid to
507the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund, and retirement
508benefits shall remain suspended until repayment is made.
509Benefits suspended beyond the end of the retired member's 12-
510month limitation period first 12 months of retirement shall
511apply toward repayment of benefits received in violation of the
512780-hour reemployment limitation.
513     6.  The Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the
514Deaf and the Blind may reemploy a retired member as a substitute
515teacher, substitute residential instructor, or substitute nurse
516on a noncontractual basis after he or she has met the definition
517of termination been retired for 1 calendar month, in accordance
518with s. 121.021(39). The Board of Trustees of the Florida School
519for the Deaf and the Blind may reemploy a retired member as
520instructional personnel, as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), on an
521annual contractual basis after he or she has been retired and
522met the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). Any retired
523member who is reemployed before meeting the definition of
524termination voids within 1 calendar month after retirement shall
525void his or her application for retirement benefits. The Board
526of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
527reemploying such teachers, residential instructors, or nurses is
528subject to the retirement contribution required by subparagraph
5297. Reemployment of a retired member as a substitute teacher,
530substitute residential instructor, or substitute nurse is
531limited to 780 hours during the first 12 months of his or her
532retirement. Any retired member reemployed for more than 780
533hours during the first 12 months of retirement shall give timely
534notice in writing to the employer and to the division of the
535date he or she will exceed the limitation. The division shall
536suspend his or her retirement benefits for the remainder of the
537first 12 months of retirement. Any person employed in violation
538of this subparagraph and any employing agency which knowingly
539employs or appoints such person without notifying the Division
540of Retirement to suspend retirement benefits shall be jointly
541and severally liable for reimbursement to the retirement trust
542fund of any benefits paid during the reemployment limitation
543period. To avoid liability, such employing agency shall have a
544written statement from the retiree that he or she is not retired
545from a state-administered retirement system. Any retirement
546benefits received by a retired member while reemployed in excess
547of 780 hours during the first 12 months of retirement shall be
548repaid to the Retirement System Trust Fund, and his or her
549retirement benefits shall remain suspended until payment is
550made. Benefits suspended beyond the end of the retired member's
551first 12 months of retirement shall apply toward repayment of
552benefits received in violation of the 780-hour reemployment
553limitation.
554     7.a.  The employment by an employer of a any retiree or
555DROP participant of any state-administered retirement system
556does not affect shall have no effect on the average final
557compensation or years of creditable service of the retiree or
558DROP participant.
559     b.  Prior to July 1, 1991, and for initial enrollment as a
560renewed member through December 31, 2008, upon employment of any
561person, other than an elected officer as provided in s. 121.053,
562who is has been retired under a any state-administered
563retirement program, the employer shall pay retirement
564contributions in an amount equal to the unfunded actuarial
565liability portion of the employer contribution which would be
566required for regular members of the Florida Retirement System.
567Effective July 1, 1991, contributions shall be made as provided
568in s. 121.122 for retirees who have with renewed membership or,
569as provided in subsection (13) for with respect to DROP
570participants.
571     c.  Any person who is retired under a state-administered
572retirement program and who is initially reemployed on or after
573January 1, 2009, may not renew membership in the Florida
574Retirement System. The employer shall pay retirement
575contributions in an amount equal to the unfunded actuarial
576liability portion of the employer contribution that would be
577required for active members of the Florida Retirement System in
578addition to the contributions required by s. 121.76.
579     8.a.  Any person who has previously retired and who is
580holding an elective public office or an appointment to an
581elective public office initially eligible for the Elected
582Officers' Class on or after July 1, 1990, through December 31,
5832008, shall be enrolled in the Florida Retirement System as
584provided in s. 121.053(1)(c)(b) or, if holding an elective
585public office that does not qualify for the Elected Officers'
586Class on or after July 1, 1991, through December 31, 2008, shall
587be enrolled in the Florida Retirement System as provided in s.
588121.122, and shall continue to receive retirement benefits as
589well as compensation for the elected officer's service for as
590long as he or she remains in elective office. However, any
591retired member who served in an elective office prior to July 1,
5921990, suspended his or her retirement benefit, and had his or
593her Florida Retirement System membership reinstated shall, upon
594retirement from such office, have his or her retirement benefit
595recalculated to include the additional service and compensation
596earned.
597     b.  Any person who has retired and who is holding an
598elective public office or an appointment to an elective public
599office initially eligible for the Elected Officers' Class on or
600after January 1, 2009, shall not be enrolled in the Florida
601Retirement System as provided in s. 121.053(1)(c) or, if holding
602an elective public office that does not qualify for the Elected
603Officers' Class and is initially eligible on or after January 1,
6042009, shall not be enrolled in the Florida Retirement System as
605provided in s. 121.122, and shall not continue to receive
606retirement benefits during the first 12 calendar months after
607meeting the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39).
608     9.a.  Any person who is holding an elective public office
609which is covered by the Florida Retirement System and who is
610concurrently employed in nonelected covered employment before
611January 1, 2009, may elect to retire while continuing employment
612in the elective public office, if provided that he or she
613terminates shall be required to terminate his or her nonelected
614covered employment. Any person who exercises this election shall
615receive his or her retirement benefits in addition to the
616compensation of the elective office without regard to the time
617limitations otherwise provided in this subsection. A No person
618who seeks to exercise the provisions of this subparagraph, as
619they the same existed prior to May 3, 1984, may not shall be
620deemed to be retired under those provisions, unless such person
621is eligible to retire under the provisions of this subparagraph,
622as amended by chapter 84-11, Laws of Florida.
623     b.  Any person who is holding an elective public office
624which is covered by the Florida Retirement System and who is
625concurrently employed in nonelected covered employment on or
626after January 1, 2009, may not elect to retire while continuing
627employment in the elective public office. Such person must meet
628the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39) and is subject
629to the limitations provided in this section.
630     10.  The limitations of this paragraph apply to
631reemployment in any capacity with an "employer" as defined in s.
632121.021(10), irrespective of the category of funds from which
633the person is compensated.
634     11.  A developmental research school may reemploy a retired
635member as a substitute or hourly teacher or an education
636paraprofessional, as defined in s. 1012.01(2), on a
637noncontractual basis after he or she has been retired and met
638the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). A developmental
639research school may reemploy a retired member as instructional
640personnel, as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), on an annual
641contractual basis after he or she has been retired and met the
642definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). Any other retired
643member who is reemployed within 12 calendar months after
644retirement voids his or her application for retirement benefits.
645A developmental research school that reemploys retired teachers
646and education paraprofessionals are subject to the retirement
647contribution required by subparagraph 7.
648     12.  A charter school may reemploy a retired member as a
649substitute or hourly teacher on a noncontractual basis after he
650or she has been retired and met the definition of termination in
651s. 121.021(39). A charter school may reemploy a retired member
652as instructional personnel, as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), on
653an annual contractual basis after he or she has been retired and
654met the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). Any other
655retired member who is reemployed within 12 calendar months after
656retirement voids his or her application for retirement benefits.
657A charter school that reemploys such teachers is subject to the
658retirement contribution required by subparagraph 7.
659     13.  The reemployment after retirement provisions of this
660paragraph apply to DROP participants effective upon the end of
661DROP participation and meeting the definition of termination in
662s. 121.021(39).
663     11.  An employing agency may reemploy a retired member as a
664firefighter or paramedic after the retired member has been
665retired for 1 calendar month, in accordance with s. 121.021(39).
666Any retired member who is reemployed within 1 calendar month
667after retirement shall void his or her application for
668retirement benefits. The employing agency reemploying such
669firefighter or paramedic is subject to the retired contribution
670required in subparagraph 8. Reemployment of a retired
671firefighter or paramedic is limited to no more than 780 hours
672during the first 12 months of his or her retirement. Any retired
673member reemployed for more than 780 hours during the first 12
674months of retirement shall give timely notice in writing to the
675employer and to the division of the date he or she will exceed
676the limitation. The division shall suspend his or her retirement
677benefits for the remainder of the first 12 months of retirement.
678Any person employed in violation of this subparagraph and any
679employing agency which knowingly employs or appoints such person
680without notifying the Division of Retirement to suspend
681retirement benefits shall be jointly and severally liable for
682reimbursement to the Retirement System Trust Fund of any
683benefits paid during the reemployment limitation period. To
684avoid liability, such employing agency shall have a written
685statement from the retiree that he or she is not retired from a
686state-administered retirement system. Any retirement benefits
687received by a retired member while reemployed in excess of 780
688hours during the first 12 months of retirement shall be repaid
689to the Retirement System Trust Fund, and retirement benefits
690shall remain suspended until repayment is made. Benefits
691suspended beyond the end of the retired member's first 12 months
692of retirement shall apply toward repayment of benefits received
693in violation of the 780-hour reemployment limitation.
694     (c)  The provisions of this subsection apply to retirees,
695as defined in s. 121.4501(2)(j), of the Public Employee Optional
696Retirement Program created in part II, subject to the following
697conditions:
698     1.  Such retirees may not be reemployed with an employer
699participating in the Florida Retirement System as provided in
700paragraph (b) until such person has been retired for 12 3
701calendar months, unless the participant has reached the normal
702retirement requirements of the defined benefit plan as provided
703in s. 121.021(29).
704     2.  Such retiree employed in violation of this subsection
705and any employing agency that knowingly employs or appoints such
706person shall be jointly and severally liable for reimbursement
707of any benefits paid to the retirement trust fund from which the
708benefits were paid, including the Retirement System Trust Fund
709and the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund,
710as appropriate. To avoid liability, such employing agency must
711have a written statement from the retiree that he or she is not
712retired from a state-administered retirement system.
713     (13)  DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM.--In general, and
714subject to the provisions of this section, the Deferred
715Retirement Option Program, hereinafter referred to as the DROP,
716is a program under which an eligible member of the Florida
717Retirement System may elect to participate, deferring receipt of
718retirement benefits while continuing employment with his or her
719Florida Retirement System employer. The deferred monthly
720benefits shall accrue in the System Trust Fund on behalf of the
721participant, plus interest compounded monthly, for the specified
722period of the DROP participation, as provided in paragraph (c).
723Upon termination of employment as required in s. 121.021(39)(b),
724the participant shall receive the total DROP benefits and begin
725to receive the previously determined normal retirement benefits.
726Participation in the DROP does not guarantee employment for the
727specified period of DROP. Participation in the DROP by an
728eligible member beyond the initial 60-month period as authorized
729in this subsection shall be on an annual contractual basis for
730all participants.
731     (a)  Eligibility of member to participate in the DROP.--All
732active Florida Retirement System members in a regularly
733established position, and all active members of either the
734Teachers' Retirement System established in chapter 238 or the
735State and County Officers' and Employees' Retirement System
736established in chapter 122, which systems are consolidated
737within the Florida Retirement System under s. 121.011, are
738eligible to elect participation in the DROP if provided that:
739     1.  The member is not a renewed member of the Florida
740Retirement System under s. 121.122, or a member or renewed
741member of the State Community College System Optional Retirement
742Program under s. 121.051, the Senior Management Service Optional
743Annuity Program under s. 121.055, or the optional retirement
744program for the State University System under s. 121.35.
745     2.  Except as provided in subparagraph 6., election to
746participate is made within 12 months immediately following the
747date on which the member first reaches normal retirement date,
748or, for a member who reaches normal retirement date based on
749service before he or she reaches age 62, or age 55 for Special
750Risk Class members, election to participate may be deferred to
751the 12 months immediately following the date the member attains
75257, or age 52 for Special Risk Class members. For a member who
753first reached normal retirement date or the deferred eligibility
754date described above prior to the effective date of this
755section, election to participate shall be made within 12 months
756after the effective date of this section. A member who fails to
757make an election within the such 12-month limitation period
758forfeits shall forfeit all rights to participate in the DROP.
759The member shall advise his or her employer and the division in
760writing of the date on which the DROP begins shall begin. The
761Such beginning date may be subsequent to the 12-month election
762period, but must be within the original 60-month participation
763or, with respect to members who are instructional personnel
764employed by the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and
765who have received authorization by the Board of Trustees of the
766Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind to participate in the
767DROP beyond 60 months, or who are instructional personnel as
768defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in grades K-12 and who have
769received authorization by the district school superintendent to
770participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, the 96-month
771limitation period as provided in subparagraph (b)1. When
772establishing eligibility of the member to participate in the
773DROP for the 60-month or, with respect to members who are
774instructional personnel employed by the Florida School for the
775Deaf and the Blind and who have received authorization by the
776Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the
777Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, or who are
778instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in
779grades K-12 and who have received authorization by the district
780school superintendent to participate in the DROP beyond 60
781months, the 96-month maximum participation period, the member
782may elect to include or exclude any optional service credit
783purchased by the member from the total service used to establish
784the normal retirement date. A member who has with dual normal
785retirement dates is shall be eligible to elect to participate in
786DROP within 12 months after attaining normal retirement date in
787either class.
788     3.  The employer of a member electing to participate in the
789DROP, or employers if dually employed, shall acknowledge in
790writing to the division the date the member's participation in
791the DROP begins and the date the member's employment and DROP
792participation will terminate.
793     4.  Simultaneous employment of a participant by additional
794Florida Retirement System employers subsequent to the
795commencement of participation in the DROP is shall be
796permissible if provided such employers acknowledge in writing a
797DROP termination date no later than the participant's existing
798termination date or the maximum participation 60-month
799limitation period as provided in subparagraph (b)1.
800     5.  A DROP participant may change employers while
801participating in the DROP, subject to the following:
802     a.  A change of employment must take place without a break
803in service so that the member receives salary for each month of
804continuous DROP participation. If a member receives no salary
805during a month, DROP participation shall cease unless the
806employer verifies a continuation of the employment relationship
807for such participant pursuant to s. 121.021(39)(b).
808     b.  Such participant and new employer shall notify the
809division of the identity of the new employer on forms required
810by the division as to the identity of the new employer.
811     c.  The new employer shall acknowledge, in writing, the
812participant's DROP termination date, which may be extended but
813not beyond the maximum participation original 60-month or, with
814respect to members who are instructional personnel employed by
815the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and who have
816received authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Florida
817School for the Deaf and the Blind to participate in the DROP
818beyond 60 months, or who are instructional personnel as defined
819in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in grades K-12 and who have received
820authorization by the district school superintendent to
821participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, the 96-month period
822provided in subparagraph (b)1., shall acknowledge liability for
823any additional retirement contributions and interest required if
824the participant fails to timely terminate employment, and is
825shall be subject to the adjustment required in sub-subparagraph
826(c)5.d.
827     6.  Effective July 1, 2001, for instructional personnel as
828defined in s. 1012.01(2), election to participate in the DROP
829may shall be made at any time following the date on which the
830member first reaches normal retirement date. The member shall
831advise his or her employer and the division in writing of the
832date on which DROP begins the Deferred Retirement Option Program
833shall begin. When establishing eligibility of the member to
834participate in the DROP for the 60-month or, with respect to
835members who are instructional personnel employed by the Florida
836School for the Deaf and the Blind and who have received
837authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Florida School for
838the Deaf and the Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60
839months, or who are instructional personnel as defined in s.
8401012.01(2)(a)-(d) in grades K-12 and who have received
841authorization by the district school superintendent to
842participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, the 96-month maximum
843participation period, as provided in subparagraph (b)1., the
844member may elect to include or exclude any optional service
845credit purchased by the member from the total service used to
846establish the normal retirement date. A member who has with dual
847normal retirement dates is shall be eligible to elect to
848participate in either class.
849     (b)  Participation in the DROP.--
850     1.a.  An eligible member may elect to participate in the
851DROP for a period not to exceed a maximum of 60 calendar months
852or, except as provided in subparagraph b.
853     b.  Members with respect to members who are instructional
854personnel employed by the Florida School for the Deaf and the
855Blind and who are authorized have received authorization by the
856Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the
857Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, or who are
858instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in
859grades K-12 and who are authorized have received authorization
860by the district school superintendent to participate in the DROP
861beyond 60 calendar months, or who are instructional personnel as
862defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) employed by a developmental
863research school and who are authorized by the school's director,
864or if the school has no director, by the school's principal, to
865participate in DROP beyond the original 60-month period, for up
866to 36 96 calendar months immediately following the DROP
867termination date selected for participation in sub-subparagraph
868a. date on which the member first reaches his or her normal
869retirement date or the date to which he or she is eligible to
870defer his or her election to participate as provided in
871subparagraph (a)2. However, a member who has reached normal
872retirement date prior to the effective date of the DROP shall be
873eligible to participate in the DROP for a period of time not to
874exceed 60 calendar months or, with respect to members who are
875instructional personnel employed by the Florida School for the
876Deaf and the Blind and who have received authorization by the
877Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the
878Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, or who are
879instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in
880grades K-12 and who have received authorization by the district
881school superintendent to participate in the DROP beyond 60
882calendar months, 96 calendar months immediately following the
883effective date of the DROP, except a member of the Special Risk
884Class who has reached normal retirement date prior to the
885effective date of the DROP and whose total accrued value exceeds
88675 percent of average final compensation as of his or her
887effective date of retirement shall be eligible to participate in
888the DROP for no more than 36 calendar months immediately
889following the effective date of the DROP.
890     2.  Upon deciding to participate in the DROP, the member
891shall submit, on forms required by the division:
892     a.  A written election to participate in the DROP;
893     b.  Selection of the DROP participation and termination
894dates, which satisfy the limitations stated in paragraph (a) and
895subparagraph 1. The Such termination date must shall be in a
896binding letter of resignation to with the employer, establishing
897a deferred termination date. The member may change the
898termination date within the limitations of subparagraph 1., but
899only with the written approval of the his or her employer;
900     c.  A properly completed DROP application for service
901retirement as provided in this section; and
902     d.  Any other information required by the division.
903     3.  The DROP participant is shall be a retiree under the
904Florida Retirement System for all purposes, except for paragraph
905(5)(f) and subsection (9) and ss. 112.3173, 112.363, 121.053,
906and 121.122. DROP participation is final and cannot be canceled
907by the participant after the first payment is credited during
908the DROP participation period. However, participation in the
909DROP does not alter the participant's employment status and the
910member is such employee shall not be deemed retired from
911employment until his or her deferred resignation is effective
912and termination occurs as provided in s. 121.021(39).
913     4.  Elected officers are shall be eligible to participate
914in the DROP subject to the following:
915     a.  An elected officer who reaches normal retirement date
916during a term of office may defer the election to participate in
917the DROP until the next succeeding term in that office. An Such
918elected officer who exercises this option may participate in the
919DROP for up to 60 calendar months or a period of no longer than
920the such succeeding term of office, whichever is less.
921     b.  An elected or a nonelected participant may run for a
922term of office while participating in DROP and, if elected,
923extend the DROP termination date accordingly, except, however,
924if such additional term of office exceeds the 60-month
925limitation established in subparagraph 1., and the officer does
926not resign from office within such 60-month limitation, the
927retirement and the participant's DROP is shall be null and void
928as provided in sub-subparagraph (c)5.d.
929     c.(I)  For DROP participation ending before January 1,
9302009, an elected officer who is dually employed and elects to
931participate in DROP must shall be required to satisfy the
932definition of termination within the original 60-month period or
933maximum participation, with respect to members who are
934instructional personnel employed by the Florida School for the
935Deaf and the Blind and who have received authorization by the
936Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the
937Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, or who are
938instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in
939grades K-12 and who have received authorization by the district
940school superintendent to participate in the DROP beyond 60
941months, the 96-month limitation period as provided in
942subparagraph 1. for the nonelected position and may continue
943employment as an elected officer as provided in s. 121.053. The
944elected officer shall will be enrolled as a renewed member in
945the Elected Officers' Class or the Regular Class, as provided in
946ss. 121.053 and 121.122, on the first day of the month after
947termination of employment in the nonelected position and
948termination of DROP. Distribution of the DROP benefits shall be
949made as provided in paragraph (c).
950     (II)  For DROP participation ending on or after January 1,
9512009, an elected officer who is dually employed and elects to
952participate in DROP must satisfy the definition of termination
953in s. 121.021(39) within the original 60-month period or maximum
954period as provided in subparagraph 1.
955     (c)  Benefits payable under the DROP.--
956     1.  Effective on with the date of DROP participation, the
957member's initial normal monthly benefit, including creditable
958service, optional form of payment, and average final
959compensation, and the effective date of retirement are shall be
960fixed. The beneficiary established under the Florida Retirement
961System shall be the beneficiary eligible to receive any DROP
962benefits payable if the DROP participant dies prior to the
963completion of the period of DROP participation. If In the event
964a joint annuitant predeceases the member, the member may name a
965beneficiary to receive accumulated DROP benefits payable. The
966Such retirement benefit, the annual cost of living adjustments
967provided in s. 121.101, and interest shall accrue monthly in the
968System Trust Fund. The Such interest shall accrue at an
969effective annual rate of 6.5 percent compounded monthly, on the
970prior month's accumulated ending balance, up to the month of
971termination or death.
972     2.  Each employee who elects to participate in the DROP may
973shall be allowed to elect to receive a lump-sum payment for
974accrued annual leave earned in accordance with agency policy
975upon beginning participation in the DROP. The Such accumulated
976leave payment certified to the division upon commencement of
977DROP shall be included in the calculation of the member's
978average final compensation. The employee electing the such lump-
979sum payment is upon beginning participation in DROP will not be
980eligible to receive a second lump-sum payment upon termination,
981except to the extent the employee has earned additional annual
982leave which combined with the original payment does not exceed
983the maximum lump-sum payment allowed by the employing agency's
984policy or rules. An Such early lump-sum payment shall be based
985on the hourly wage of the employee at the time he or she begins
986participation in the DROP. If the member elects to wait and
987receive such lump-sum payment upon termination of DROP and
988termination of employment with the employer, any accumulated
989leave payment made at that time may not cannot be included in
990the member's retirement benefit, which was determined and fixed
991by law when the employee elected to participate in the DROP.
992     3.  The effective date of DROP participation and the
993effective date of retirement of a DROP participant shall be the
994first day of the month selected by the member to begin
995participation in the DROP, provided such date is properly
996established, with the written confirmation of the employer, and
997the approval of the division, on forms required by the division.
998     4.  Normal retirement benefits and any interest thereon
999shall continue to accrue in the DROP until the established
1000termination date of the DROP, or until the participant
1001terminates employment or dies prior to such date. Although
1002individual DROP accounts shall not be established, a separate
1003accounting of each participant's accrued benefits under the DROP
1004shall be calculated and provided to participants.
1005     5.  At the conclusion of the participant's DROP, the
1006division shall distribute the participant's total accumulated
1007DROP benefits, subject to the following provisions:
1008     a.  The division shall receive verification by the
1009participant's employer or employers that the such participant
1010has terminated employment as provided in s. 121.021(39)(b).
1011     b.  The terminated DROP participant or, if deceased, the
1012such participant's named beneficiary, shall elect on forms
1013provided by the division to receive payment of the DROP benefits
1014in accordance with one of the options listed below. If For a
1015participant or beneficiary who fails to elect a method of
1016payment within 60 days of termination of the DROP, the division
1017shall will pay a lump sum as provided in sub-sub-subparagraph
1018(I).
1019     (I)  Lump sum.--All accrued DROP benefits, plus interest,
1020less withholding taxes remitted to the Internal Revenue Service,
1021shall be paid to the DROP participant or surviving beneficiary.
1022     (II)  Direct rollover.--All accrued DROP benefits, plus
1023interest, shall be paid from the DROP directly to the custodian
1024of an eligible retirement plan as defined in s. 402(c)(8)(B) of
1025the Internal Revenue Code. However, in the case of an eligible
1026rollover distribution to the surviving spouse of a deceased
1027participant, an eligible retirement plan is an individual
1028retirement account or an individual retirement annuity as
1029described in s. 402(c)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code.
1030     (III)  Partial lump sum.--A portion of the accrued DROP
1031benefits shall be paid to the DROP participant or surviving
1032spouse, less withholding taxes remitted to the Internal Revenue
1033Service, and the remaining DROP benefits shall be transferred
1034directly to the custodian of an eligible retirement plan as
1035defined in s. 402(c)(8)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code.
1036However, in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to the
1037surviving spouse of a deceased participant, an eligible
1038retirement plan is an individual retirement account or an
1039individual retirement annuity as described in s. 402(c)(9) of
1040the Internal Revenue Code. The proportions shall be specified by
1041the DROP participant or surviving beneficiary.
1042     c.  The form of payment selected by the DROP participant or
1043surviving beneficiary must comply complies with the minimum
1044distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
1045     d.  A DROP participant who fails to terminate employment as
1046defined in s. 121.021(39)(b) shall be deemed not to be retired,
1047and the DROP election is shall be null and void. Florida
1048Retirement System membership shall be reestablished
1049retroactively to the date of the commencement of the DROP, and
1050each employer with whom the participant continues employment
1051must shall be required to pay to the Florida Retirement System
1052Trust Fund the difference between the DROP contributions paid in
1053paragraph (i) and the contributions required for the applicable
1054Florida Retirement System class of membership during the period
1055the member participated in the DROP, plus 6.5 percent interest
1056compounded annually.
1057     6.  The retirement benefits of any DROP participant who
1058meets the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39)(b), but is
1059in violation of the reemployment provisions as provided in
1060subsection (9), shall be suspended during those months in which
1061the member is in violation. Any member employed in violation of
1062this subparagraph and any employing agency that knowingly
1063employs or appoints such member without notifying the Division
1064of Retirement to suspend retirement benefits are jointly and
1065severally liable for any benefits paid during the reemployment
1066limitation period. To avoid liability, the employing agency must
1067have a written statement from the retiree that he or she is not
1068retired from a state-administered retirement system. Any
1069retirement benefits received by a retired member while employed
1070in violation of the reemployment limitations during the first 12
1071months after meeting termination must be repaid to the Florida
1072Retirement System Trust Fund, and his or her retirement benefits
1073shall remain suspended until payment is made. Benefits suspended
1074beyond the end of the retired member's first 12 calendar months
1075after meeting the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39)(b)
1076shall apply toward repayment of benefits received in violation
1077of the reemployment limitations.
1078     7.6.  The accrued benefits of any DROP participant, and any
1079contributions accumulated under the such program, are shall not
1080be subject to assignment, execution, attachment, or to any legal
1081process whatsoever, except for qualified domestic relations
1082orders by a court of competent jurisdiction, income deduction
1083orders as provided in s. 61.1301, and federal income tax levies.
1084     8.7.  DROP participants are shall not be eligible for
1085disability retirement benefits as provided in subsection (4).
1086     (d)  Death benefits under the DROP.--
1087     1.  Upon the death of a DROP participant, the named
1088beneficiary shall be entitled to apply for and receive the
1089accrued benefits in the DROP as provided in sub-subparagraph
1090(c)5.b.
1091     2.  The normal retirement benefit accrued to the DROP
1092during the month of a participant's death shall be the final
1093monthly benefit credited for such DROP participant.
1094     3.  Eligibility to participate in the DROP terminates upon
1095death of the participant. If the participant dies on or after
1096the effective date of enrollment in the DROP, but prior to the
1097first monthly benefit being credited to the DROP, Florida
1098Retirement System benefits shall be paid in accordance with
1099subparagraph (7)(c)1. or subparagraph 2.
1100     4.  A DROP participants' survivors shall not be eligible to
1101receive Florida Retirement System death benefits as provided in
1102paragraph (7)(d).
1103     (e)  Cost-of-living adjustment.--On each July 1, the
1104participants' normal retirement benefit shall be increased as
1105provided in s. 121.101.
1106     (f)  Retiree health insurance subsidy.--DROP participants
1107are not eligible to apply for the retiree health insurance
1108subsidy payments as provided in s. 112.363 until such
1109participants have terminated employment and participation in the
1110DROP.
1111     (g)  Renewed membership.--DROP participants must meet the
1112definition of termination in s. 121.021(39)(b) and must meet
1113eligibility requirements shall not be eligible for renewed
1114membership in the Florida Retirement System under ss. 121.053
1115and 121.122 until termination of employment is effectuated as
1116provided in s. 121.021(39)(b).
1117     (h)  Employment limitation after DROP participation.--Upon
1118satisfying the definition of termination of employment as
1119provided in s. 121.021(39)(b), DROP participants shall be
1120subject to such reemployment limitations as other retirees.
1121Reemployment restrictions applicable to retirees as provided in
1122subsection (9) shall not apply to DROP participants until their
1123employment and participation in the DROP are terminated.
1124     (i)  Contributions.--
1125     1.  All employers paying the salary of a DROP participant
1126filling a regularly established position shall contribute 8.0
1127percent of such participant's gross compensation for the period
1128of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, and 11.56 percent of
1129such compensation thereafter, which shall constitute the entire
1130employer DROP contribution with respect to such participant.
1131Such contributions, payable to the System Trust Fund in the same
1132manner as required in s. 121.071, shall be made as appropriate
1133for each pay period and are in addition to contributions
1134required for social security and the Retiree Health Insurance
1135Subsidy Trust Fund. Such employer, social security, and health
1136insurance subsidy contributions are not included in the DROP.
1137     2.  The employer shall, in addition to subparagraph 1.,
1138also withhold one-half of the entire social security
1139contribution required for the participant. Contributions for
1140social security by each participant and each employer, in the
1141amount required for social security coverage as now or hereafter
1142provided by the federal Social Security Act, shall be in
1143addition to contributions specified in subparagraph 1.
1144     3.  All employers paying the salary of a DROP participant
1145filling a regularly established position shall contribute the
1146percent of such participant's gross compensation required in s.
1147121.071(4), which shall constitute the employer's health
1148insurance subsidy contribution with respect to such participant.
1149Such contributions shall be deposited by the administrator in
1150the Retiree Health Insurance Subsidy Trust Fund.
1151     (j)  Forfeiture of retirement benefits.--Nothing in this
1152section shall be construed to remove DROP participants from the
1153scope of s. 8(d), Art. II of the State Constitution, s.
1154112.3173, and paragraph (5)(f). DROP participants who commit a
1155specified felony offense while employed will be subject to
1156forfeiture of all retirement benefits, including DROP benefits,
1157pursuant to those provisions of law.
1158     (k)  Administration of program.--The division shall make
1159such rules as are necessary for the effective and efficient
1160administration of this subsection. The division shall not be
1161required to advise members of the federal tax consequences of an
1162election related to the DROP but may advise members to seek
1163independent advice.
1164     (14)  PAYMENT OF BENEFITS.--This subsection applies to the
1165payment of benefits to a payee (retiree or beneficiary) under
1166the Florida Retirement System:
1167     (a)  Federal income tax shall be withheld in accordance
1168with federal law, unless the payee elects otherwise on Form W-
11694P. The division shall prepare and distribute to each recipient
1170of monthly retirement benefits an appropriate income tax form
1171that reflects the recipient's income and federal income tax
1172withheld for the calendar year just ended.
1173     (b)  Subject to approval by the division in accordance with
1174rule 60S-4.015, Florida Administrative Code, a payee receiving
1175retirement benefits under the Florida Retirement system may also
1176have the following payments deducted from his or her monthly
1177benefit:
1178     1.  Premiums for life and health-related insurance policies
1179from approved companies.
1180     2.  Life insurance premiums for the State Group Life
1181Insurance Plan, if authorized in writing by the payee and by the
1182department of Management Services.
1183     3.  Repayment of overpayments from the Florida Retirement
1184System Trust Fund, the State Employees' Health Insurance Trust
1185Fund, or the State Employees' Life Insurance Trust Fund, upon
1186notification of the payee.
1187     4.  Payments to an alternate payee for alimony or, child
1188support pursuant to an income deduction order under s. 61.1301,
1189or division of marital assets pursuant to a qualified domestic
1190relations order under s. 222.21 or an income deduction order
1191under s. 61.1301.
1192     5.  Payments to the Internal Revenue Service for federal
1193income tax levies, upon notification of the division by the
1194Internal Revenue Service.
1195     (c)  A payee must shall notify the division of any change
1196in his or her address. The division may suspend benefit payments
1197to a payee if correspondence sent to the payee's mailing address
1198is returned due to an incorrect address. Benefit payments shall
1199be resumed upon notification to the division of the payee's new
1200address.
1201     (d)  A payee whose retirement benefits are reduced by the
1202application of maximum benefit limits under s. 415(b) of the
1203Internal Revenue Code, as specified in s. 121.30(5), shall have
1204the portion of his or her calculated benefit in the Florida
1205Retirement System defined benefit plan which exceeds such
1206federal limitation paid through the Florida Retirement System
1207Preservation of Benefits Plan, as provided in s. 121.1001.
1208     (e)  The division may issue retirement benefits payable for
1209division of marital assets pursuant to a qualified domestic
1210relations order directly to the alternate payee, any court order
1211to the contrary notwithstanding, in order to meet Internal
1212Revenue Code requirements.
1213     (f)(e)  A No benefit may not be reduced for the purpose of
1214preserving the member's eligibility for a federal program.
1215     (g)(f)  The division shall adopt rules establishing
1216procedures for determining that the persons to whom benefits are
1217being paid are still living. The division shall suspend the
1218benefits being paid to any payee if when it is unable to contact
1219such payee and to confirm that he or she is still living.
1220     Section 5.  Sections 121.093 and 121.094, Florida Statutes,
1221are repealed.
1222     Section 6.  Section 121.122, Florida Statutes, is amended
1223to read:
1224     121.122  Renewed membership in system.--
1225     (1)  Any retiree of a state-administered retirement system
1226who is initially reemployed on or after January 1, 2009, shall
1227not be eligible for renewed membership.
1228     (2)  Except as provided in s. 121.053, effective July 1,
12291991, through December 31, 2008, any retiree of a state-
1230administered retirement system who is initially reemployed
1231employed in a regularly established position with a covered
1232employer shall be enrolled as a compulsory member of the Regular
1233Class of the Florida Retirement System or, effective July 1,
12341997, through December 31, 2008, any retiree of a state-
1235administered retirement system who is initially reemployed
1236employed in a position included in the Senior Management Service
1237Class shall be enrolled as a compulsory member of the Senior
1238Management Service Class of the Florida Retirement System as
1239provided in s. 121.055, and shall be entitled to receive an
1240additional retirement benefit, subject to the following
1241conditions:
1242     (1)(a)  Such member shall resatisfy the age and service
1243requirements as provided in this chapter for initial membership
1244under the system, unless such member elects to participate in
1245the Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program in lieu
1246of the Senior Management Service Class, as provided in s.
1247121.055(6).
1248     (b)  Such member shall not be entitled to disability
1249benefits as provided in s. 121.091(4).
1250     (c)  Such member must meet the reemployment after
1251retirement limitations as provided in s. 121.091(9), as
1252applicable.
1253     (3)(2)  Upon renewed membership or reemployment of a
1254retiree, the employer of such member shall pay the applicable
1255employer contributions as required by ss. 121.71, 121.74,
1256121.76, and 112.363 121.055(3) and 121.071(1)(a) and (4).
1257     (4)(3)  The retiree of a state-administered retirement
1258system who is initially reemployed before January 1, 2009, Such
1259member shall be entitled to purchase additional retirement
1260credit in the Regular Class or the Senior Management Service
1261Class, as applicable, for any postretirement service performed
1262in a regularly established position as follows:
1263     (a)  For regular class service prior to July 1, 1991, by
1264paying the Regular Class applicable employee and employer
1265contributions for the period being claimed, plus 4 percent
1266interest compounded annually from first year of service claimed
1267until July 1, 1975, and 6.5 percent interest compounded
1268thereafter, until full payment is made to the Florida Retirement
1269System Trust Fund; or
1270     (b)  For Senior Management Service Class prior to June 1,
12711997, as provided in s. 121.055(1)(j).
1272
1273The contribution for postretirement service between July 1,
12741985, and July 1, 1991, for which the reemployed retiree
1275contribution was paid, shall be the difference between such
1276contribution and the total applicable contribution for the
1277period being claimed, plus interest. The employer of such member
1278may pay the applicable employer contribution in lieu of the
1279member. If a member does not wish to claim credit for all of the
1280postretirement service for which he or she is eligible, the
1281service the member claims must be the most recent service.
1282     (5)(4)  No creditable service for which credit was
1283received, or which remained unclaimed, at retirement may be
1284claimed or applied toward service credit earned following
1285renewed membership. However, for retirees initially reemployed
1286before January 1, 2009, service earned as an elected officer
1287with renewed membership in the Elected Officers' Class may be
1288used in conjunction with creditable service earned under this
1289section, provided the applicable vesting requirements and other
1290existing statutory conditions required by this chapter are met.
1291     (6)(5)  Notwithstanding any other limitations provided in
1292this section, a participant of the State University System
1293Optional Retirement Program or the Senior Management Service
1294Optional Annuity Program who terminated employment and received
1295a distribution commenced receiving an annuity under the
1296provisions of the optional program, who initially renews
1297membership before January 1, 2009, in the Regular Class as
1298required by this section upon reemployment after retirement, and
1299who had previously earned creditable Florida Retirement System
1300service that was not included in any retirement benefit may
1301include such previous service toward vesting and service credit
1302in the second career benefit provided under renewed membership.
1303     (7)(6)  Any renewed member who is not receiving the maximum
1304health insurance subsidy provided in s. 112.363 shall be
1305entitled to earn additional credit toward the maximum health
1306insurance subsidy. Any additional subsidy due because of such
1307additional credit shall be received only at the time of payment
1308of the second career retirement benefit. In no case shall the
1309total health insurance subsidy received by a retiree receiving
1310benefits from initial and renewed membership exceed the maximum
1311allowed in s. 112.363.
1312     Section 7.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (5) of section
1313121.35, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1314     121.35  Optional retirement program for the State
1315University System.--
1316     (5)  BENEFITS.--
1317     (e)  A participant who chooses to receive his or her
1318benefits upon termination of employment as defined in s.
1319121.021(39) shall have responsibility to notify the provider
1320company of the date on which he or she wishes benefits funded by
1321employer contributions to begin. Benefits may be deferred until
1322such time as the participant chooses to make such application.
1323     Section 8.  Section 121.45, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
1324     Section 9.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of section
1325121.4501, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1326     121.4501  Public Employee Optional Retirement Program.--
1327     (2)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this part, the term:
1328     (f)  "Eligible employee" means an officer or employee, as
1329defined in s. 121.021(11), who:
1330     1.  Is a member of, or is eligible for membership in, the
1331Florida Retirement System, including any renewed member of the
1332Florida Retirement System initially enrolled before January 1,
13332009; or
1334     2.  Participates in, or is eligible to participate in, the
1335Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program as
1336established under s. 121.055(6), the State Community College
1337Optional Retirement Program as established under s.
1338121.051(2)(c), or the State University System Optional
1339Retirement Program established under s. 121.35.
1340
1341The term does not include any member participating in the
1342Deferred Retirement Option Program established under s.
1343121.091(13), a retiree of a state-administered retirement system
1344initially reemployed on or after January 1, 2009, or a mandatory
1345participant of the State University System Optional Retirement
1346Program established under s. 121.35.
1347     Section 10.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
1348121.591, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1349     121.591  Benefits payable under the Public Employee
1350Optional Retirement Program of the Florida Retirement
1351System.--Benefits may not be paid under this section unless the
1352member has terminated employment as provided in s.
1353121.021(39)(a) or is deceased and a proper application has been
1354filed in the manner prescribed by the state board or the
1355department. The state board or department, as appropriate, may
1356cancel an application for retirement benefits when the member or
1357beneficiary fails to timely provide the information and
1358documents required by this chapter and the rules of the state
1359board and department. In accordance with their respective
1360responsibilities as provided herein, the State Board of
1361Administration and the Department of Management Services shall
1362adopt rules establishing procedures for application for
1363retirement benefits and for the cancellation of such application
1364when the required information or documents are not received. The
1365State Board of Administration and the Department of Management
1366Services, as appropriate, are authorized to cash out a de
1367minimis account of a participant who has been terminated from
1368Florida Retirement System covered employment for a minimum of 6
1369calendar months. A de minimis account is an account containing
1370employer contributions and accumulated earnings of not more than
1371$5,000 made under the provisions of this chapter. Such cash-out
1372must either be a complete lump-sum liquidation of the account
1373balance, subject to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code,
1374or a lump-sum direct rollover distribution paid directly to the
1375custodian of an eligible retirement plan, as defined by the
1376Internal Revenue Code, on behalf of the participant. If any
1377financial instrument issued for the payment of retirement
1378benefits under this section is not presented for payment within
1379180 days after the last day of the month in which it was
1380originally issued, the third-party administrator or other duly
1381authorized agent of the State Board of Administration shall
1382cancel the instrument and credit the amount of the instrument to
1383the suspense account of the Public Employee Optional Retirement
1384Program Trust Fund authorized under s. 121.4501(6). Any such
1385amounts transferred to the suspense account are payable upon a
1386proper application, not to include earnings thereon, as provided
1387in this section, within 10 years after the last day of the month
1388in which the instrument was originally issued, after which time
1389such amounts and any earnings thereon shall be forfeited. Any
1390such forfeited amounts are assets of the Public Employee
1391Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund and are not subject to
1392the provisions of chapter 717.
1393     (1)  NORMAL BENEFITS.--Under the Public Employee Optional
1394Retirement Program:
1395     (b)  If a participant elects to receive his or her benefits
1396upon termination of employment as defined in s. 121.021(39), the
1397participant must submit a written application or an equivalent
1398form to the third-party administrator indicating his or her
1399preferred distribution date and selecting an authorized method
1400of distribution as provided in paragraph (c). The participant
1401may defer receipt of benefits until he or she chooses to make
1402such application, subject to federal requirements.
1403     Section 11.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2009.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.