1 | Representative Schenck offered the following: |
2 |
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3 | Amendment (with title amendment) |
4 | Remove everything after the enacting clause and insert: |
5 | Section 1. Subsections (10), (11), (18), paragraph (b) of |
6 | subsection (22), and subsections (29), (39), (52), and (53) of |
7 | section 121.021, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections |
8 | (63) and (64) are added to that section, to read: |
9 | 121.021 Definitions.--The following words and phrases as |
10 | used in this chapter have the respective meanings set forth |
11 | unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context: |
12 | (10) "Employer" means any agency, branch, department, |
13 | institution, university, institution of higher education, or |
14 | board of the state, or any county agency, branch, department, |
15 | board, district school board, or special district of the state, |
16 | or any city of the state which participates in the system for |
17 | the benefit of certain of its employees, or a charter school or |
18 | charter technical career center that participates as provided in |
19 | s. 121.051(2)(d). Employers are not agents of the department, |
20 | the state board, or the Division of Retirement, and the |
21 | department, the state board, and the division are not |
22 | responsible for erroneous information provided by |
23 | representatives of employers. |
24 | (11) "Officer or employee" means any person receiving |
25 | salary payments for work performed in a regularly established |
26 | position and, if employed by a city, a metropolitan planning |
27 | organization, or a special district, employed in a covered |
28 | group. The term does not apply to: |
29 | (a) State employees covered by a leasing agreement under |
30 | s. 110.191, other public employees covered by a leasing |
31 | agreement, or to a co-employer relationship. |
32 | (b) A person who is an inmate or prisoner at the time the |
33 | work is performed. |
34 | (18) "Past service" of any member, as provided in s. |
35 | 121.081(1), means the number of years and complete months and |
36 | any fractional part of a month, recognized and credited by an |
37 | employer and approved by the administrator, during which the |
38 | member was in the active employ of a governmental an employer |
39 | and for which the employee is not entitled to a benefit prior to |
40 | his or her date of participation. |
41 | (22) "Compensation" means the monthly salary paid a member |
42 | by his or her employer for work performed arising from that |
43 | employment. |
44 | (b) Under no circumstances shall compensation for a member |
45 | participating in the defined benefit retirement program or the |
46 | Public Employee Optional Retirement Program of the Florida |
47 | Retirement System include: |
48 | 1. Fees paid professional persons for special or |
49 | particular services or include salary payments made from a |
50 | faculty practice plan authorized by the Board of Governors of |
51 | the State University System for eligible clinical faculty at a |
52 | college in a state university that has with a faculty practice |
53 | plan; or |
54 | 2. Any Bonuses or other payments prohibited from inclusion |
55 | in the member's average final compensation and defined in |
56 | subsection (47); or |
57 | 3. Payment for work given to a person who is an inmate or |
58 | prisoner at the time the work is performed. |
59 | (29) "Normal retirement date" means the first day of any |
60 | month following the date a member attains normal retirement age |
61 | and is vested, which is determined as follows one of the |
62 | following statuses: |
63 | (a) If a Regular Class member, the member: |
64 | 1. The first day of the month the member completes 6 or |
65 | more years of creditable service and attains age 62; or |
66 | 2. The first day of the month following the date the |
67 | member completes 30 years of creditable service, regardless of |
68 | age, which may include a maximum of 4 years of military service |
69 | credit as long as such credit is not claimed under any other |
70 | system. |
71 | (b) If a Special Risk Class member, the member: |
72 | 1. The first day of the month the member completes 6 or |
73 | more years of creditable service in the Special Risk Class and |
74 | attains age 55; |
75 | 2. The first day of the month following the date the |
76 | member completes 25 years of creditable service in the Special |
77 | Risk Class, regardless of age; or |
78 | 3. The first day of the month following the date the |
79 | member completes 25 years of creditable service and attains age |
80 | 52, which service may include a maximum of 4 years of military |
81 | service credit as long as such credit is not claimed under any |
82 | other system and the remaining years are in the Special Risk |
83 | Class. |
84 | (c) If a Senior Management Service Class member, the |
85 | member: |
86 | 1. The first day of the month the member completes 6 years |
87 | of creditable service in the Senior Management Service Class and |
88 | attains age 62; or |
89 | 2. The first day of the month following the date the |
90 | member completes 30 years of any creditable service, regardless |
91 | of age, which may include a maximum of 4 years of military |
92 | service credit as long as such credit is not claimed under any |
93 | other system. |
94 | (d) If an Elected Officers' Class member, the member: |
95 | 1. The first day of the month the member completes 6 years |
96 | of creditable service in the Elected Officers' Class and attains |
97 | age 62; or |
98 | 2. The first day of the month following the date the |
99 | member completes 30 years of any creditable service, regardless |
100 | of age, which may include a maximum of 4 years of military |
101 | service credit as long as such credit is not claimed under any |
102 | other system. |
103 |
|
104 | "Normal retirement age" is attained on the "normal retirement |
105 | date." |
106 | (39)(a) "Termination" occurs, except as provided in |
107 | paragraph (b), when: |
108 | 1. For retirements effective before July 1, 2009, a member |
109 | ceases all employment relationships with employers under this |
110 | system, as defined in subsection (10), but in the event a member |
111 | should be employed by any such employer within the next calendar |
112 | month, termination shall be deemed not to have occurred. A leave |
113 | of absence shall constitute a continuation of the employment |
114 | relationship, except that a leave of absence without pay due to |
115 | disability may constitute termination for a member, if such |
116 | member makes application for and is approved for disability |
117 | retirement in accordance with s. 121.091(4). The department or |
118 | board may require other evidence of termination as it deems |
119 | necessary. |
120 | 2. For retirements effective on or after July 1, 2009, a |
121 | member ceases all employment relationships with employers under |
122 | this system, as defined in subsection (10), but in the event a |
123 | member should be employed by any such employer within the next |
124 | 12 calendar months, termination shall be deemed not to have |
125 | occurred. A leave of absence shall constitute a continuation of |
126 | the employment relationship, except that a leave of absence |
127 | without pay due to disability may constitute termination for a |
128 | member, if such member makes application for and is approved for |
129 | disability retirement in accordance with s. 121.091(4). The |
130 | department or board may require other evidence of termination as |
131 | it deems necessary. |
132 | (b) "Termination" for a member electing to participate |
133 | under the Deferred Retirement Option Program occurs when the |
134 | Deferred Retirement Option Program participant ceases all |
135 | employment relationships with employers under this system in |
136 | accordance with s. 121.091(13), but: |
137 | 1. For DROP termination dates before July 1, 2009, in the |
138 | event the Deferred Retirement Option Program participant should |
139 | be employed by any such employer within the next calendar month, |
140 | termination will be deemed not to have occurred, except as |
141 | provided in s. 121.091(13)(b)4.c. A leave of absence shall |
142 | constitute a continuation of the employment relationship. |
143 | 2. For DROP termination dates on or after July 1, 2009, in |
144 | the event the DROP participant should be employed by any such |
145 | employer within the next 12 calendar months, termination will be |
146 | deemed not to have occurred, except as provided in s. |
147 | 121.091(13)(b)4.c. A leave of absence shall constitute a |
148 | continuation of the employment relationship. |
149 | (52) "Regularly established position" is defined as |
150 | follows: |
151 | (a) With respect to employment for In a state employer |
152 | agency, the term means a position that which is authorized and |
153 | established pursuant to law and is compensated from a salaries |
154 | appropriation pursuant to s. 216.011(1)(dd), or an established |
155 | position which is authorized pursuant to s. 216.262(1)(a) and |
156 | (b) and is compensated from a salaries account as provided by |
157 | rule. |
158 | (b) With respect to employment for In a local employer |
159 | agency (district school board, county agency, community college, |
160 | city, metropolitan planning organization, or special district), |
161 | the term means a regularly established position that which will |
162 | be in existence for a period beyond 6 consecutive months, except |
163 | as provided by rule. |
164 | (53) "Temporary position" is defined as follows: |
165 | (a) With respect to employment for In a state employer |
166 | agency, the term means an employment position that which is |
167 | compensated from an other personal services (OPS) account, as |
168 | provided for in s. 216.011(1)(dd). |
169 | (b) With respect to employment for In a local employer |
170 | agency, the term means an employment position that which will |
171 | exist for less than 6 consecutive months, or other employment |
172 | position as determined by rule of the division, regardless of |
173 | whether it will exist for 6 consecutive months or longer. |
174 | (63) "State board" or "board" means the State Board of |
175 | Administration. |
176 | (64) "Trustees" means the Board of Trustees of the State |
177 | Board of Administration. |
178 | Section 2. Subsection (6) is added to section 121.031, |
179 | Florida Statutes, to read: |
180 | 121.031 Administration of system; appropriation; oaths; |
181 | actuarial studies; public records.-- |
182 | (6) Unless prior written approval is obtained from the |
183 | department or state board, any promotional materials or |
184 | advertisements that, directly or indirectly, refer to the |
185 | Florida Retirement System or the FRS, must contain a disclaimer |
186 | that the information is not approved or endorsed by the Florida |
187 | Retirement System. |
188 | Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and paragraph |
189 | (f) of subsection (2) of section 121.051, Florida Statutes, are |
190 | amended, and subsection (10) is added to that section, to read: |
191 | 121.051 Participation in the system.-- |
192 | (1) COMPULSORY PARTICIPATION.-- |
193 | (a) The provisions of this law are shall be compulsory as |
194 | to all officers and employees, except elected officers who meet |
195 | the requirements of s. 121.052(3), who are employed on or after |
196 | December 1, 1970, by of an employer other than those referred to |
197 | in paragraph (2)(b), and each officer or employee, as a |
198 | condition of employment, shall become a member of the system as |
199 | of his or her date of employment, except that a person who is |
200 | retired from any state retirement system and is reemployed on or |
201 | after December 1, 1970, may shall not be permitted to renew his |
202 | or her membership in any state retirement system except as |
203 | provided in s. 121.091(4)(h) for a person who recovers from |
204 | disability, and as provided in s. 121.091(9)(b)10. s. |
205 | 121.091(9)(b)8. for a person who is elected to public office, |
206 | and, effective July 1, 1991, as provided in s. 121.122 for all |
207 | other retirees. Officers and employees of the University |
208 | Athletic Association, Inc., a nonprofit association connected |
209 | with the University of Florida, employed on and after July 1, |
210 | 1979, may shall not participate in any state-supported |
211 | retirement system. |
212 | 1.a. Any person appointed on or after July 1, 1989, to a |
213 | faculty position in a college at the J. Hillis Miller Health |
214 | Center at the University of Florida or the Medical Center at the |
215 | University of South Florida which has a faculty practice plan |
216 | adopted provided by rule may adopted by the Board of Regents |
217 | shall not participate in the Florida Retirement System. |
218 | Effective January 1, 2009, any person appointed thereafter to a |
219 | faculty position, including clinical faculty, in a college at a |
220 | state university that has a faculty practice plan authorized by |
221 | the Board of Governors may not participate in the Florida |
222 | Retirement System. A faculty member so appointed shall |
223 | participate in the optional retirement program for the State |
224 | University System on the basis of his or her state-funded |
225 | compensation, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 121.35(2)(a). |
226 | b. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "faculty |
227 | position" is defined as a position assigned the principal |
228 | responsibility of teaching, research, or public service |
229 | activities or administrative responsibility directly related to |
230 | the academic mission of the college. The term "clinical faculty" |
231 | is defined as a faculty position appointment in conjunction with |
232 | a professional position in a hospital or other clinical |
233 | environment at a college. The term "faculty practice plan" |
234 | includes professional services to patients, institutions, or |
235 | other parties which are rendered by the clinical faculty employed |
236 | by a college that has a faculty practice plan at a state |
237 | university authorized by the Board of Governors. |
238 | (2) OPTIONAL PARTICIPATION.-- |
239 | (f)1. If Whenever an employer that participates in the |
240 | Florida Retirement System undertakes the transfer, merger, or |
241 | consolidation of governmental services or assumes the functions |
242 | or activities of an employing governmental entity that was not |
243 | an employer under the system, the employer must notify the |
244 | department at least 60 days prior to such action and shall |
245 | provide documentation as required by the department. The |
246 | transfer, merger, or consolidation of governmental services or |
247 | assumption of governmental functions and activities must occur |
248 | between public employers. The current or former employer may pay |
249 | the employees' past service cost unless prohibited under this |
250 | chapter. This paragraph does not apply to the transfer, merger, |
251 | or consolidation of governmental services or assumption of |
252 | functions and activities of a public entity under a leasing |
253 | agreement having a co-employer relationship. Employers and |
254 | employees of a public governmental employer whose service is |
255 | covered by a leasing agreement under s. 110.191, other leasing |
256 | agreement, or a co-employer relationship are not eligible to |
257 | participate in the Florida Retirement System. |
258 | 2. If When the agency to which a member's employing unit |
259 | is transferred, merged, or consolidated does not participate in |
260 | the Florida Retirement System, a member may shall elect in |
261 | writing to remain in the Florida Retirement System or to |
262 | transfer to the local retirement system operated by the such |
263 | agency. If such agency does not participate in a local |
264 | retirement system, the member shall continue membership in the |
265 | Florida Retirement System. In either case, the membership |
266 | continues shall continue for as long as the member is employed |
267 | by the agency to which his or her unit was transferred, merged, |
268 | or consolidated. |
269 | (10) PROHIBITED PARTICIPATION.--A person who is an inmate |
270 | or prisoner at the time the work is performed is prohibited from |
271 | participating in, or receiving benefits from, any part of the |
272 | Florida Retirement System based on such work. |
273 | Section 4. Paragraph (e) of subsection (3) of section |
274 | 121.052, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
275 | 121.052 Membership class of elected officers.-- |
276 | (3) PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL, GENERALLY.--Effective |
277 | July 1, 1990, participation in the Elected Officers' Class shall |
278 | be compulsory for elected officers listed in paragraphs (2)(a)- |
279 | (d) and (f) assuming office on or after said date, unless the |
280 | elected officer elects membership in another class or withdraws |
281 | from the Florida Retirement System as provided in paragraphs |
282 | (3)(a)-(d): |
283 | (e) Effective January 1, 2009 July 1, 2001, the governing |
284 | body of a municipality or special district may, by majority |
285 | vote, elect to designate all its elected positions for inclusion |
286 | in the Elected Officers' Class. Such election shall be made |
287 | between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2009 July 1, 2001, and |
288 | December 31, 2001, and shall be irrevocable. The designation of |
289 | such positions shall be effective the first day of the month |
290 | following receipt by the department of the ordinance or |
291 | resolution passed by the governing body. |
292 | Section 5. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 121.053, |
293 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
294 | 121.053 Participation in the Elected Officers' Class for |
295 | retired members.-- |
296 | (1)(a)1. Any retiree of a state-administered retirement |
297 | system who initially serves in an elective office in a regularly |
298 | established position with a covered employer on or after January |
299 | 1, 2009, shall not be enrolled in the Florida Retirement System. |
300 | 2. An elected officer who is elected or appointed to an |
301 | elective office and is participating in the Deferred Retirement |
302 | Option Program is subject to termination as provided in s. |
303 | 121.021(39)(b), and reemployment limitations as provided in s. |
304 | 121.091(9), upon completion of his or her DROP participation |
305 | period. |
306 | (b) Before July 1, 2009, any member who retired under any |
307 | existing system as defined in s. 121.021(2), and receives a |
308 | benefit thereof, and who serves in an office covered by the |
309 | Elected Officers' Class for a period of at least 6 years, shall |
310 | be entitled to receive an additional retirement benefit for such |
311 | elected officer service prior to July 1, 1990, under the Elected |
312 | Officers' Class of the Florida Retirement System, as follows: |
313 | 1. Upon completion of 6 or more years of creditable |
314 | service in an office covered by the Elected Officers' Class, s. |
315 | 121.052, such member shall notify the administrator of his or |
316 | her intent to purchase elected officer service prior to July 1, |
317 | 1990, and shall pay the member contribution applicable for the |
318 | period being claimed, plus 4 percent interest compounded |
319 | annually from the first year of service claimed until July 1, |
320 | 1975, and 6.5 percent interest compounded annually thereafter, |
321 | until full payment is made to the Florida Retirement System |
322 | Trust Fund; however, such member may purchase retirement credit |
323 | under the Elected Officers' Class only for such service as an |
324 | elected officer. |
325 | 2. Upon payment of the amount specified in subparagraph |
326 | 1., the employer shall pay into the Florida Retirement System |
327 | Trust Fund the applicable employer contribution for the period |
328 | of elected officer service prior to July 1, 1990, being claimed |
329 | by the member, plus 4 percent interest compounded annually from |
330 | the first year of service claimed until July 1, 1975, and 6.5 |
331 | percent interest compounded annually thereafter, until full |
332 | payment is made to the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund. |
333 | (c)(b) Any retired member of the Florida Retirement |
334 | System, or any existing system as defined in s. 121.021(2), who, |
335 | on or after July 1, 1990, through June 30, 2009, is serving in, |
336 | or is elected or appointed to, an elective office covered by the |
337 | Elected Officers' Class shall be enrolled in the appropriate |
338 | subclass of the Elected Officers' Class of the Florida |
339 | Retirement System, and applicable contributions shall be paid |
340 | into the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund as provided in s. |
341 | 121.052(7). Pursuant thereto: |
342 | 1. Any such retired member shall be eligible to continue |
343 | to receive retirement benefits as well as compensation for the |
344 | elected officer service for as long as he or she remains in an |
345 | elective office covered by the Elected Officers' Class. |
346 | 2. If any such member serves in an elective office covered |
347 | by the Elected Officers' Class and becomes vested under that |
348 | class, he or she shall be entitled to receive an additional |
349 | retirement benefit for such elected officer service. |
350 | 3. Such member shall be entitled to purchase additional |
351 | retirement credit in the Elected Officers' Class for any |
352 | postretirement service performed in an elected position eligible |
353 | for the Elected Officers' Class prior to July 1, 1990, or in the |
354 | Regular Class for any postretirement service performed in any |
355 | other regularly established position prior to July 1, 1991, by |
356 | paying the applicable Elected Officers' Class or Regular Class |
357 | employee and employer contributions for the period being |
358 | claimed, plus 4 percent interest compounded annually from the |
359 | first year of service claimed until July 1, 1975, and 6.5 |
360 | percent interest compounded thereafter, until full payment is |
361 | made to the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund. The |
362 | contribution for postretirement Regular Class service between |
363 | July 1, 1985, and July 1, 1991, for which the reemployed retiree |
364 | contribution was paid, shall be the difference between such |
365 | contribution and the total applicable contribution for the |
366 | period being claimed, plus interest. The employer of such member |
367 | may pay the applicable employer contribution in lieu of the |
368 | member. If a member does not wish to claim credit for all of the |
369 | postretirement service for which he or she is eligible, the |
370 | service the member claims must be the most recent service. |
371 | 4. Creditable service for which credit was received, or |
372 | which remained unclaimed, at retirement may not be claimed or |
373 | applied toward service credit earned following renewed |
374 | membership. However, service earned in accordance with the |
375 | renewed membership provisions in s. 121.122 may be used in |
376 | conjunction with creditable service earned under this paragraph, |
377 | provided applicable vesting requirements and other existing |
378 | statutory conditions required by this chapter are met. |
379 | 5. An elected officer who is elected or appointed to an |
380 | elective office and is participating in the Deferred Retirement |
381 | Option Program before July 1, 2009, is not subject to |
382 | termination as provided in s. 121.021(39)(b), or reemployment |
383 | limitations as provided in s. 121.091(9), until the end of his |
384 | or her current term of office or, if the officer is |
385 | consecutively elected or reelected to an elective office |
386 | eligible for coverage under the Florida Retirement System, until |
387 | he or she no longer holds such an elective office, as follows: |
388 | a. At the end of the 60-month DROP period: |
389 | (I) The officer's DROP account shall accrue no additional |
390 | monthly benefits, but shall continue to earn interest as |
391 | provided in s. 121.091(13). |
392 | (II) No retirement contributions shall be required of the |
393 | employer of the elected officer and no additional retirement |
394 | credit shall be earned under the Florida Retirement System. |
395 | b. Nothing herein shall prevent an elected officer from |
396 | voluntarily terminating his or her elective office at any time |
397 | and electing to receive his or her DROP proceeds. However, until |
398 | termination requirements are fulfilled as provided in s. |
399 | 121.021(39), any elected officer whose termination limitations |
400 | are extended by this section shall be ineligible for renewed |
401 | membership in the system and shall receive no pension payments, |
402 | DROP lump sum payments, or any other state payment other than |
403 | the statutorily determined salary, travel, and per diem for the |
404 | elective office. |
405 | c. Upon termination, the officer shall receive his or her |
406 | accumulated DROP account, plus interest, and shall accrue and |
407 | commence receiving monthly retirement benefits, which shall be |
408 | paid on a prospective basis only. |
409 |
|
410 | However, an officer electing to participate in the Deferred |
411 | Retirement Option Program on or before June 30, 2002, shall not |
412 | be required to terminate and shall remain subject to the |
413 | provisions of this subparagraph as adopted in section 1 of |
414 | chapter 2001-235, Laws of Florida. |
415 | (2) Upon attaining his or her normal retirement date and |
416 | payment of the amount specified in paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) |
417 | (1)(a) and (b), and upon application to the administrator of the |
418 | intent to retire, the member shall receive a monthly benefit |
419 | under this section, in addition to any benefits already being |
420 | received, which shall commence on the last day of the month of |
421 | retirement and be payable on the last day of the month |
422 | thereafter during his or her lifetime. The amount of such |
423 | monthly benefit shall be the total percentage of retirement |
424 | credit purchased under this section multiplied by the member's |
425 | average monthly compensation as an elected officer, adjusted |
426 | according to the option selected at retirement under s. |
427 | 121.091(6). |
428 | Section 6. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) and paragraph |
429 | (c) of subsection (6) of section 121.055, Florida Statutes, are |
430 | amended to read: |
431 | 121.055 Senior Management Service Class.--There is hereby |
432 | established a separate class of membership within the Florida |
433 | Retirement System to be known as the "Senior Management Service |
434 | Class," which shall become effective February 1, 1987. |
435 | (1) |
436 | (f) Effective July 1, 1997: |
437 | 1. Except as provided in subparagraph 3., any elected |
438 | state officer eligible for membership in the Elected Officers' |
439 | Class under s. 121.052(2)(a), (b), or (c) who elects membership |
440 | in the Senior Management Service Class under s. 121.052(3)(c) |
441 | may, within 6 months after assuming office or within 6 months |
442 | after this act becomes a law for serving elected state officers, |
443 | elect to participate in the Senior Management Service Optional |
444 | Annuity Program, as provided in subsection (6), in lieu of |
445 | membership in the Senior Management Service Class. |
446 | 2. Except as provided in subparagraph 3., any elected |
447 | county officer eligible for membership in the Elected Officers' |
448 | Class under s. 121.052(2)(d) who elects membership in the Senior |
449 | Management Service Class under s. 121.052(3)(c) may, within 6 |
450 | months after assuming office, or within 6 months after this act |
451 | becomes a law for serving elected county officers, elect to |
452 | withdraw from the Florida Retirement System participate in a |
453 | lifetime monthly annuity program, as provided in subparagraph |
454 | (b)2., in lieu of membership in the Senior Management Service |
455 | Class. |
456 | 3. Any retiree of a state-administered retirement system |
457 | who is initially reemployed on or after July 1, 2009, as an |
458 | elected official eligible for Elected Officers' Class membership |
459 | shall not be eligible for renewed membership in the Senior |
460 | Management Service Optional Annuity Program as provided in |
461 | subsection (6) or to withdraw from the Florida Retirement System |
462 | as a renewed member as provided in subparagraph (b)2., as |
463 | applicable, in lieu of Senior Management Service Class |
464 | membership. |
465 | (6) |
466 | (c) Participation.-- |
467 | 1. Any eligible employee who is employed on or before |
468 | February 1, 1987, may elect to participate in the optional |
469 | annuity program in lieu of participation in the Senior |
470 | Management Service Class. Such election shall be made in writing |
471 | and filed with the department and the personnel officer of the |
472 | employer on or before May 1, 1987. Any eligible employee who is |
473 | employed on or before February 1, 1987, and who fails to make an |
474 | election to participate in the optional annuity program by May |
475 | 1, 1987, shall be deemed to have elected membership in the |
476 | Senior Management Service Class. |
477 | 2. Except as provided in subparagraph 6., any employee who |
478 | becomes eligible to participate in the optional annuity program |
479 | by reason of initial employment commencing after February 1, |
480 | 1987, may, within 90 days after the date of commencement of |
481 | employment, elect to participate in the optional annuity |
482 | program. Such election shall be made in writing and filed with |
483 | the personnel officer of the employer. Any eligible employee who |
484 | does not within 90 days after commencement of such employment |
485 | elect to participate in the optional annuity program shall be |
486 | deemed to have elected membership in the Senior Management |
487 | Service Class. |
488 | 3. A person who is appointed to a position in the Senior |
489 | Management Service Class and who is a member of an existing |
490 | retirement system or the Special Risk or Special Risk |
491 | Administrative Support Classes of the Florida Retirement System |
492 | may elect to remain in such system or class in lieu of |
493 | participation in the Senior Management Service Class or optional |
494 | annuity program. Such election shall be made in writing and |
495 | filed with the department and the personnel officer of the |
496 | employer within 90 days of such appointment. Any eligible |
497 | employee who fails to make an election to participate in the |
498 | existing system, the Special Risk Class of the Florida |
499 | Retirement System, the Special Risk Administrative Support Class |
500 | of the Florida Retirement System, or the optional annuity |
501 | program shall be deemed to have elected membership in the Senior |
502 | Management Service Class. |
503 | 4. Except as provided in subparagraph 5., an employee's |
504 | election to participate in the optional annuity program is |
505 | irrevocable as long as such employee continues to be employed in |
506 | an eligible position and continues to meet the eligibility |
507 | requirements set forth in this paragraph. |
508 | 5. Effective from July 1, 2002, through September 30, |
509 | 2002, any active employee in a regularly established position |
510 | who has elected to participate in the Senior Management Service |
511 | Optional Annuity Program has one opportunity to choose to move |
512 | from the Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program to |
513 | the Florida Retirement System defined benefit program. |
514 | a. The election must be made in writing and must be filed |
515 | with the department and the personnel officer of the employer |
516 | before October 1, 2002, or, in the case of an active employee |
517 | who is on a leave of absence on July 1, 2002, within 90 days |
518 | after the conclusion of the leave of absence. This election is |
519 | irrevocable. |
520 | b. The employee will receive service credit under the |
521 | defined benefit program of the Florida Retirement System equal |
522 | to his or her years of service under the Senior Management |
523 | Service Optional Annuity Program. The cost for such credit shall |
524 | be an amount representing the present value of that employee's |
525 | accumulated benefit obligation for the affected period of |
526 | service. |
527 | c. The employee must transfer the total accumulated |
528 | employer contributions and earnings on deposit in his or her |
529 | Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program account. If |
530 | the transferred amount is not sufficient to pay the amount due, |
531 | the employee must pay a sum representing the remainder of the |
532 | amount due. In no case may the employee retain any employer |
533 | contributions or earnings thereon from the Senior Management |
534 | Service Optional Annuity Program account. |
535 | 6. Any retiree of a state-administered retirement system |
536 | who is initially reemployed on or after July 1, 2009, shall not |
537 | be eligible for renewed membership in the Senior Management |
538 | Service Optional Annuity Program. |
539 | Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section |
540 | 121.071, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
541 | 121.071 Contributions.--Contributions to the system shall |
542 | be made as follows: |
543 | (6)(a) Required employee contributions for all service |
544 | other than current service, including, but not limited to, prior |
545 | service, past service, military service, leave-of-absence |
546 | service, out-of-state service, and certain non-Florida |
547 | Retirement System in-state service, shall be paid by cash, |
548 | personal check, cashier's check, or money order, or a direct |
549 | rollover or transfer from a qualified plan as provided under the |
550 | Internal Revenue Code. The payment must only; shall be |
551 | accompanied by a statement identifying the service for which |
552 | payment is made,; and shall be made in a lump sum for the total |
553 | amount due or in annual payments of not less than $100, except |
554 | for the final payment if less than $100, unless another method |
555 | of payment is authorized by law or rule. |
556 | Section 8. Paragraphs (f) and (h) of subsection (1) of |
557 | section 121.081, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
558 | 121.081 Past service; prior service; |
559 | contributions.--Conditions under which past service or prior |
560 | service may be claimed and credited are: |
561 | (1) |
562 | (f) If When any person, either prior to this act or |
563 | hereafter, becomes entitled to and participates does participate |
564 | in one of the retirement systems under consolidated within or |
565 | created by this chapter through the consolidation or merger of |
566 | governments or the transfer of functions between units of |
567 | government, either at the state or local level or between state |
568 | and local units, or through the assumption of functions or |
569 | activities by a state or local unit from an employing |
570 | governmental entity that which was not an employer under the |
571 | system, and such person becomes a member of the Florida |
572 | Retirement System, such person is shall be entitled to receive |
573 | past-service credit as defined in s. 121.021(18) for the time |
574 | the such person performed services for, and was an employee of, |
575 | such state or local unit or other governmental employing entity |
576 | prior to the transfer, merger, consolidation, or assumption of |
577 | functions and activities. Past-service credit allowed by this |
578 | paragraph is shall also be available to any person who becomes a |
579 | member of an existing system, as defined in s. 121.021(2), prior |
580 | to December 1, 1970, through the transfer, merger, |
581 | consolidation, or assumption of functions and activities set |
582 | forth in this paragraph and who subsequently becomes a member of |
583 | the Florida Retirement System. However, credit for the past |
584 | service may not be granted until contributions are made in the |
585 | manner provided in this subsection. If a person rejected Florida |
586 | Retirement System membership at the time of the transfer, |
587 | merger, or consolidation, or assumption the required |
588 | contributions shall be at total actuarial cost as specified in |
589 | paragraph (e). Such contributions or accrued interest may not be |
590 | paid from any public state funds. |
591 | (h) The following provisions apply to the purchase of past |
592 | service: |
593 | 1. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this |
594 | subsection, past-service credit may not be purchased under this |
595 | chapter for any service that is used to obtain a pension or |
596 | benefit from a any local retirement system. Eligibility to |
597 | receive or the receipt of contributions to a retirement plan |
598 | made by the employer on behalf of the employee is considered a |
599 | benefit. |
600 | 2. A member may not receive past service credit under |
601 | paragraphs (a), (b), (e), or (f) for any leaves of absence |
602 | without pay, except that credit for active military service |
603 | leaves of absence may be claimed under paragraphs (a), (b), and |
604 | (f), in accordance with s. 121.111(1). |
605 | 3. A member may not receive past service credit for co- |
606 | employer service. Co-employer service or a co-employer |
607 | relationship is employment in a single position simultaneously |
608 | covered and reported by both a public employer and a private |
609 | employer. |
610 | 4.3. If a member does not want desire to receive credit |
611 | for all of his or her past service, the period the member claims |
612 | must be the most recent past service prior to his or her |
613 | participation in the Florida Retirement System. |
614 | 5.4. The cost of past service purchased by an employing |
615 | agency for its employees may be amortized over the such period |
616 | of time as is provided in the agreement, but not to exceed 15 |
617 | years, calculated in accordance with rule 60S-1.007(5)(f), |
618 | Florida Administrative Code. |
619 | 6.5. The retirement account of each member for whom past |
620 | service is being provided by his or her employer shall be |
621 | credited with all past service the employer agrees to purchase |
622 | as soon as the agreement between the employer and the department |
623 | is executed. Pursuant thereto: |
624 | a. Each such member's account shall also be posted with |
625 | the total contribution his or her employer agrees to make on in |
626 | the member's behalf for past service earned prior to October 1, |
627 | 1975, excluding those contributions representing the employer's |
628 | matching share and the compound interest calculation on the |
629 | total contribution. However, a portion of any contributions paid |
630 | by an employer for past service credit earned on and after |
631 | October 1, 1975, may not be posted to the a member's account. |
632 | b. A refund of contributions payable after an employer has |
633 | made a written agreement to purchase past service for employees |
634 | of the covered group includes shall include contributions for |
635 | past service which are posted to a member's account. However, |
636 | contributions for past service earned on and after October 1, |
637 | 1975, are not refundable. |
638 | Section 9. Section 121.091, Florida Statutes, is amended |
639 | to read: |
640 | 121.091 Benefits payable under the system.--Benefits may |
641 | not be paid under this section until the month after the member |
642 | has separated from employment as verified by the employer unless |
643 | the member has terminated employment as provided in s. |
644 | 121.021(39)(a) or begun participation in the Deferred Retirement |
645 | Option Program as provided in subsection (13), and a proper |
646 | application has been filed in the manner prescribed by the |
647 | department. The department may cancel an application for |
648 | retirement benefits when the member or beneficiary fails to |
649 | timely provide the information and documents required by this |
650 | chapter and the department's rules. The department shall adopt |
651 | rules establishing procedures for application for retirement |
652 | benefits and for the cancellation of such application when the |
653 | required information or documents are not received. Benefits may |
654 | be paid after separation from employment and during the months |
655 | required to meet the definition of termination. The application |
656 | will be voided and all benefits received must be repaid to the |
657 | Florida Retirement System Trust Fund if the member fails to meet |
658 | the termination requirement of s. 121.021(39). |
659 | (1) NORMAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT.--Upon attaining his or her |
660 | normal retirement date, the member, upon application to the |
661 | administrator, shall receive a monthly benefit which shall begin |
662 | to accrue on the first day of the month of retirement and be |
663 | payable on the last day of that month and each month thereafter |
664 | during his or her lifetime. The normal retirement benefit, |
665 | including any past or additional retirement credit, may not |
666 | exceed 100 percent of the average final compensation. The amount |
667 | of monthly benefit shall be calculated as the product of A and |
668 | B, subject to the adjustment of C, if applicable, as set forth |
669 | below: |
670 | (a)1. For creditable years of Regular Class service, A is |
671 | 1.60 percent of the member's average final compensation, up to |
672 | the member's normal retirement date. Upon completion of the |
673 | first year after the normal retirement date, A is 1.63 percent |
674 | of the member's average final compensation. Following the second |
675 | year after the normal retirement date, A is 1.65 percent of the |
676 | member's average final compensation. Following the third year |
677 | after the normal retirement date, and for subsequent years, A is |
678 | 1.68 percent of the member's average final compensation. |
679 | 2. For creditable years of special risk service, A is: |
680 | a. Two percent of the member's average final compensation |
681 | for all creditable years prior to October 1, 1974; |
682 | b. Three percent of the member's average final |
683 | compensation for all creditable years after September 30, 1974, |
684 | and before October 1, 1978; |
685 | c. Two percent of the member's average final compensation |
686 | for all creditable years after September 30, 1978, and before |
687 | January 1, 1989; |
688 | d. Two and two-tenths percent of the member's final |
689 | monthly compensation for all creditable years after December 31, |
690 | 1988, and before January 1, 1990; |
691 | e. Two and four-tenths percent of the member's average |
692 | final compensation for all creditable years after December 31, |
693 | 1989, and before January 1, 1991; |
694 | f. Two and six-tenths percent of the member's average |
695 | final compensation for all creditable years after December 31, |
696 | 1990, and before January 1, 1992; |
697 | g. Two and eight-tenths percent of the member's average |
698 | final compensation for all creditable years after December 31, |
699 | 1991, and before January 1, 1993; |
700 | h. Three percent of the member's average final |
701 | compensation for all creditable years after December 31, 1992; |
702 | and |
703 | i. Three percent of the member's average final |
704 | compensation for all creditable years of service after September |
705 | 30, 1978, and before January 1, 1993, for any special risk |
706 | member who retires after July 1, 2000, or any member of the |
707 | Special Risk Administrative Support Class entitled to retain the |
708 | special risk normal retirement date who was a member of the |
709 | Special Risk Class during the time period and who retires after |
710 | July 1, 2000. |
711 | 3. For creditable years of Senior Management Service Class |
712 | service after January 31, 1987, A is 2 percent; |
713 | 4. For creditable years of Elected Officers' Class service |
714 | as a Supreme Court Justice, district court of appeal judge, |
715 | circuit judge, or county court judge, A is 31/3 percent of the |
716 | member's average final compensation, and for all other |
717 | creditable service in such class, A is 3 percent of average |
718 | final compensation; |
719 | (b) B is the number of the member's years and any |
720 | fractional part of a year of creditable service earned |
721 | subsequent to November 30, 1970; and |
722 | (c) C is the normal retirement benefit credit brought |
723 | forward as of November 30, 1970, by a former member of an |
724 | existing system. Such normal retirement benefit credit shall be |
725 | determined as the product of X and Y when X is the percentage of |
726 | average final compensation which the member would have been |
727 | eligible to receive if the member had attained his or her normal |
728 | retirement date as of November 30, 1970, all in accordance with |
729 | the existing system under which the member is covered on |
730 | November 30, 1970, and Y is average final compensation as |
731 | defined in s. 121.021(25). However, any member of an existing |
732 | retirement system who is eligible to retire and who does retire, |
733 | become disabled, or die prior to April 15, 1971, may have his or |
734 | her retirement benefits calculated on the basis of the best 5 of |
735 | the last 10 years of service. |
736 | (d) A member's average final compensation shall be |
737 | determined by formula to obtain the coverage for the 5 highest |
738 | fiscal years' salaries, calculated as provided by rule. |
739 | (2) BENEFITS PAYABLE FOR DUAL NORMAL RETIREMENT AGES.--If |
740 | a member accumulates retirement benefits to commence at |
741 | different normal retirement ages by virtue of having performed |
742 | duties for an employer which would entitle him or her to |
743 | benefits as both a member of the Special Risk Class and a member |
744 | of either the Regular Class, Senior Management Service Class, or |
745 | Elected Officers' Class, the amount of benefits payable shall be |
746 | computed separately with respect to each such age and the sum of |
747 | such computed amounts shall be paid as provided in this section. |
748 | (3) EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFIT.--Upon retirement on his or |
749 | her early retirement date, the member shall receive an immediate |
750 | monthly benefit that shall begin to accrue on the first day of |
751 | the month of the retirement date and be payable on the last day |
752 | of that month and each month thereafter during his or her |
753 | lifetime. Such benefit shall be calculated as follows: |
754 | (a) The amount of each monthly payment shall be computed |
755 | in the same manner as for a normal retirement benefit, in |
756 | accordance with subsection (1), but shall be based on the |
757 | member's average monthly compensation and creditable service as |
758 | of the member's early retirement date. The benefit so computed |
759 | shall be reduced by five-twelfths of 1 percent for each complete |
760 | month by which the early retirement date precedes the normal |
761 | retirement date of age 62 for a member of the Regular Class, |
762 | Senior Management Service Class, or the Elected Officers' Class, |
763 | and age 55 for a member of the Special Risk Class, or age 52 if |
764 | a Special Risk member has completed 25 years of creditable |
765 | service in accordance with s. 121.021(29)(b)3. |
766 | (b) If the employment of a member is terminated by reason |
767 | of death subsequent to the completion of 20 years of creditable |
768 | service, the monthly benefit payable to the member's beneficiary |
769 | shall be calculated in accordance with subsection (1), but shall |
770 | be based on average monthly compensation and creditable service |
771 | as of the date of death. The benefit so computed shall be |
772 | reduced by five-twelfths of 1 percent for each complete month by |
773 | which death precedes the normal retirement date specified above |
774 | or the date on which the member would have attained 30 years of |
775 | creditable service had he or she survived and continued his or |
776 | her employment, whichever provides a higher benefit. |
777 | (4) DISABILITY RETIREMENT BENEFIT.-- |
778 | (a) Disability retirement; entitlement and effective |
779 | date.-- |
780 | 1.a. A member who becomes totally and permanently |
781 | disabled, as defined in paragraph (b), after completing 5 years |
782 | of creditable service, or a member who becomes totally and |
783 | permanently disabled in the line of duty regardless of service, |
784 | shall be entitled to a monthly disability benefit; except that |
785 | any member with less than 5 years of creditable service on July |
786 | 1, 1980, or any person who becomes a member of the Florida |
787 | Retirement System on or after such date must have completed 10 |
788 | years of creditable service prior to becoming totally and |
789 | permanently disabled in order to receive disability retirement |
790 | benefits for any disability which occurs other than in the line |
791 | of duty. However, if a member employed on July 1, 1980, with |
792 | less than 5 years of creditable service as of that date, becomes |
793 | totally and permanently disabled after completing 5 years of |
794 | creditable service and is found not to have attained fully |
795 | insured status for benefits under the federal Social Security |
796 | Act, such member shall be entitled to a monthly disability |
797 | benefit. |
798 | b. Effective July 1, 2001, a member of the defined benefit |
799 | retirement program who becomes totally and permanently disabled, |
800 | as defined in paragraph (b), after completing 8 years of |
801 | creditable service, or a member who becomes totally and |
802 | permanently disabled in the line of duty regardless of service, |
803 | shall be entitled to a monthly disability benefit. |
804 | 2. If the division has received from the employer the |
805 | required documentation of the member's termination of |
806 | employment, the effective retirement date for a member who |
807 | applies and is approved for disability retirement shall be |
808 | established by rule of the division. |
809 | 3. For a member who is receiving Workers' Compensation |
810 | payments, the effective disability retirement date may not |
811 | precede the date the member reaches Maximum Medical Improvement |
812 | (MMI), unless the member terminates employment prior to reaching |
813 | MMI. |
814 | (b) Total and permanent disability.--A member shall be |
815 | considered totally and permanently disabled if, in the opinion |
816 | of the administrator, he or she is prevented, by reason of a |
817 | medically determinable physical or mental impairment, from |
818 | rendering useful and efficient service as an officer or |
819 | employee. |
820 | (c) Proof of disability.--The administrator, before |
821 | approving payment of any disability retirement benefit, shall |
822 | require proof that the member is totally and permanently |
823 | disabled as provided herein: |
824 | 1. Such proof shall include the certification of the |
825 | member's total and permanent disability by two licensed |
826 | physicians of the state and such other evidence of disability as |
827 | the administrator may require, including reports from vocational |
828 | rehabilitation, evaluation, or testing specialists who have |
829 | evaluated the applicant for employment. A member whose position |
830 | with an employer requires that the member work full time outside |
831 | this state in the United States may include certification by two |
832 | licensed physicians of the state where the member works. |
833 | 2. It must be documented that: |
834 | a. The member's medical condition occurred or became |
835 | symptomatic during the time the member was employed in an |
836 | employee/employer relationship with his or her employer; |
837 | b. The member was totally and permanently disabled at the |
838 | time he or she terminated covered employment; and |
839 | c. The member has not been employed with any other |
840 | employer after such termination. |
841 | 3. If the application is for in-line-of-duty disability, |
842 | in addition to the requirements of subparagraph 2., it must be |
843 | documented by competent medical evidence that the disability was |
844 | caused by a job-related illness or accident which occurred while |
845 | the member was in an employee/employer relationship with his or |
846 | her employer. |
847 | 4. The unavailability of an employment position that the |
848 | member is physically and mentally capable of performing will not |
849 | be considered as proof of total and permanent disability. |
850 | (d) Election on appeal.--A member whose application for |
851 | regular disability retirement has been denied and who has filed |
852 | an appeal to the State Retirement Commission may, if eligible, |
853 | elect to receive normal or early service retirement benefits |
854 | while he or she is awaiting the decision on the appeal. However: |
855 | 1. If the member elects to receive service retirement |
856 | benefits and disability benefits are later approved as a result |
857 | of the appeal, the payment option chosen by the member may not |
858 | be changed. |
859 | 2. If the member elects to receive early service |
860 | retirement and the appeal is later denied, the member may not |
861 | change his or her election of early retirement. |
862 |
|
863 | Before such regular or early retirement benefits may be paid by |
864 | the division, the member must provide to the division a written |
865 | statement indicating that the member understands that such |
866 | changes are not permitted after he or she begins receiving the |
867 | benefits. |
868 | (e) Disability retirement benefit.--Upon the retirement of |
869 | a member on his or her disability retirement date, the member |
870 | shall receive a monthly benefit that shall begin to accrue on |
871 | the first day of the month of disability retirement and shall be |
872 | payable on the last day of that month and each month thereafter |
873 | during his or her lifetime and continued disability. |
874 | (f) Computation of disability retirement benefit.--The |
875 | amount of each monthly payment shall be computed in the same |
876 | manner as for a normal retirement benefit, in accordance with |
877 | subsection (1), but shall be based on disability option |
878 | actuarial equivalency tables and the average monthly |
879 | compensation and creditable service of the member as of the |
880 | disability retirement date, subject to the following conditions: |
881 | 1. If the member's disability occurred in the line of |
882 | duty, the monthly Option 1 benefit shall not be less than: |
883 | a. Forty-two percent of average monthly compensation as of |
884 | the disability retirement date; or |
885 | b. Sixty-five percent of the average monthly compensation |
886 | as of the disability retirement date for a member of the special |
887 | risk class who retires on or after July 1, 2000; or |
888 | 2. If the member's disability occurred other than in the |
889 | line of duty, the monthly Option 1 benefit shall not be less |
890 | than 25 percent of average monthly compensation as of the |
891 | disability retirement date. |
892 | (g) Reapplication.--A member, whose initial application |
893 | for disability retirement has been denied, may reapply for |
894 | disability benefits. However, such member's reapplication will |
895 | be considered only if the member presents new medical evidence |
896 | of a medical condition that existed prior to the member's |
897 | termination of employment. The division may prescribe by rule |
898 | procedures for reapplication and for review and approval or |
899 | disapproval of reapplication. |
900 | (h) Recovery from disability.--The administrator may |
901 | require periodic reexaminations at the expense of the retirement |
902 | fund. The division may adopt rules establishing procedures for |
903 | conducting and review of such reexaminations. |
904 | 1. If the administrator finds that a member who is |
905 | receiving disability benefits is, at any time prior to his or |
906 | her normal retirement date, no longer disabled, the |
907 | administrator shall direct that the benefits be discontinued. |
908 | The decision of the administrator on this question shall be |
909 | final and binding. If such member: |
910 | a. Does not reenter the employ of an employer and was not |
911 | vested as of the disability retirement date, he or she shall be |
912 | entitled to the excess, if any, of his or her accumulated |
913 | contributions over the total disability benefits received up to |
914 | the date of recovery. |
915 | b. Does not reenter the employ of an employer, but was |
916 | vested as of the disability retirement date, he or she may elect |
917 | to receive: |
918 | (I) The excess, if any, of his or her accumulated |
919 | contributions over the total disability benefits received up to |
920 | the date of recovery; or |
921 | (II) A deferred benefit commencing on the last day of the |
922 | month of the normal retirement date which shall be payable on |
923 | the last day of the month thereafter during his or her lifetime. |
924 | The amount of such monthly benefit shall be computed in the same |
925 | manner as for a normal retirement benefit, in accordance with |
926 | subsection (1), but shall be based on average monthly |
927 | compensation and creditable service as of the member's |
928 | disability retirement date. |
929 | c. Reenters employment of an employer within 6 months |
930 | after recovery, the member's service will be deemed to have been |
931 | continuous, but the period beginning with the first month for |
932 | which he or she received a disability benefit payment and ending |
933 | with the date he or she reentered employment will not be |
934 | considered as creditable service for the purpose of computing |
935 | benefits except as provided in sub-subparagraph d. As used in |
936 | this section, the term "accumulated contributions" for such |
937 | member means the excess of the member's accumulated |
938 | contributions as of the disability retirement date over the |
939 | total disability benefits received under paragraph (e). |
940 | d. Terminates his or her disability benefit, reenters |
941 | covered employment, and is continuously employed for a minimum |
942 | of 1 year of creditable service, he or she may claim as |
943 | creditable service the months during which he or she was |
944 | receiving a disability benefit, upon payment of the required |
945 | contributions. Contributions shall equal the total required |
946 | employee and employer contribution rate applicable during the |
947 | period the retiree received retirement benefits, multiplied |
948 | times his or her rate of monthly compensation prior to the |
949 | commencement of disability retirement for each month of the |
950 | period claimed, plus 4 percent interest until July 1, 1975, and |
951 | 6.5 percent interest thereafter, compounded annually each June |
952 | 30 to the date of payment. If the member does not claim credit |
953 | for all of the months he or she received disability benefits, |
954 | the months claimed must be the most recent months of retirement. |
955 | Such credit for periods of disability, when purchased under the |
956 | Florida Retirement System, shall apply toward vesting |
957 | requirements for eligibility to purchase additional credit for |
958 | other service. |
959 | 2. Both the member receiving disability benefits who |
960 | reenters employment and the employer employing such disability |
961 | retiree shall notify the division immediately upon reemployment, |
962 | and the division shall terminate such member's disability |
963 | benefits, effective the first day of the month following the |
964 | month in which notification of recovery is received. If the |
965 | member is reemployed with a Florida Retirement System employer |
966 | at the time of benefit termination, and he or she has received |
967 | disability retirement benefit and salary payments concurrently |
968 | prior to notifying the division, he or she may elect within 30 |
969 | days to: |
970 | a. Retain the retirement benefits received prior to |
971 | termination of disability benefits and begin receiving |
972 | retirement service credit effective upon the date of termination |
973 | of benefits; or |
974 | b. Repay, within 12 months after his or her decision to |
975 | receive service credit, the retirement benefits received for |
976 | each month of reemployment prior to termination of disability |
977 | benefits and begin receiving retirement service credit effective |
978 | upon the date of reemployment. Any such unpaid benefits shall |
979 | have compound interest of 6.5 percent added June 30. |
980 |
|
981 | A member may not receive both retirement service credit for |
982 | employment and retirement benefits for the same month. |
983 | 3. If, after recovery of disability and reentry into |
984 | covered employment, the member again becomes disabled and is |
985 | again approved for disability retirement, the Option 1 monthly |
986 | retirement benefit shall not be less than the Option 1 monthly |
987 | benefit calculated at the time of the previous disability, plus |
988 | any cost of living increases up to the time the disability |
989 | benefit was terminated upon his or her reentry into covered |
990 | employment. |
991 | (i) Nonadmissible causes of disability.--A member shall |
992 | not be entitled to receive any disability retirement benefit if |
993 | the disability is a result of any of the following: |
994 | 1. Injury or disease sustained by the member while |
995 | willfully participating in a riot, civil insurrection, or other |
996 | act of violence or while committing a felony; |
997 | 2. Injury or disease sustained by the member after his or |
998 | her employment has terminated; or |
999 | 3. Intentional, self-inflicted injury. |
1000 | (j) Disability retirement of justice or judge by order of |
1001 | Supreme Court.-- |
1002 | 1. If a member is a justice of the Supreme Court, judge of |
1003 | a district court of appeal, circuit judge, or judge of a county |
1004 | court who has served for 6 years or more as an elected |
1005 | constitutional judicial officer, including service as a judicial |
1006 | officer in any court abolished pursuant to Art. V of the State |
1007 | Constitution, and who is retired for disability by order of the |
1008 | Supreme Court upon recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications |
1009 | Commission pursuant to the provisions of Art. V of the State |
1010 | Constitution, the member's Option 1 monthly benefit as provided |
1011 | in subparagraph (6)(a)1. shall not be less than two-thirds of |
1012 | his or her monthly compensation as of the member's disability |
1013 | retirement date. Such a member may alternatively elect to |
1014 | receive a disability retirement benefit under any other option |
1015 | as provided in paragraph (6)(a). |
1016 | 2. Should any justice or judge who is a member of the |
1017 | Florida Retirement System be retired for disability by order of |
1018 | the Supreme Court upon recommendation of the Judicial |
1019 | Qualifications Commission pursuant to the provisions of Art. V |
1020 | of the State Constitution, then all contributions to his or her |
1021 | account and all contributions made on his or her behalf by the |
1022 | employer shall be transferred to and deposited in the General |
1023 | Revenue Fund of the state, and there is hereby appropriated |
1024 | annually out of the General Revenue Fund, to be paid into the |
1025 | Florida Retirement System Fund, an amount necessary to pay the |
1026 | benefits of all justices and judges retired from the Florida |
1027 | Retirement System pursuant to Art. V of the State Constitution. |
1028 | (5) TERMINATION BENEFITS.--A member whose employment is |
1029 | terminated prior to retirement retains membership rights to |
1030 | previously earned member-noncontributory service credit, and to |
1031 | member-contributory service credit, if the member leaves the |
1032 | member contributions on deposit in his or her retirement |
1033 | account. If a terminated member receives a refund of member |
1034 | contributions, such member may reinstate membership rights to |
1035 | the previously earned service credit represented by the refund |
1036 | by completing 1 year of creditable service and repaying the |
1037 | refunded member contributions, plus interest. |
1038 | (a) A member whose employment is terminated for any reason |
1039 | other than death or retirement prior to becoming vested is |
1040 | entitled to the return of his or her accumulated contributions |
1041 | as of the date of termination. |
1042 | (b) A member whose employment is terminated for any reason |
1043 | other than death or retirement after becoming vested may elect |
1044 | to receive a deferred monthly benefit which shall begin to |
1045 | accrue on the first day of the month of normal or early |
1046 | retirement and shall be payable on the last day of that month |
1047 | and each month thereafter during his or her lifetime. The amount |
1048 | of monthly benefit shall be computed in the same manner as for a |
1049 | normal retirement benefit in accordance with subsection (1) or |
1050 | early retirement benefit in accordance with s. 121.021(30), but |
1051 | based on average monthly compensation and creditable service as |
1052 | of the date of termination. |
1053 | (c) In lieu of the deferred monthly benefit provided in |
1054 | paragraph (b), the terminated member may elect to receive a |
1055 | lump-sum amount equal to his or her accumulated contributions as |
1056 | of the date of termination. |
1057 | (d) If any retired member dies without having received in |
1058 | benefit payments an amount equal to his or her accumulated |
1059 | contributions, there shall be payable to his or her designated |
1060 | beneficiary an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the |
1061 | member's accumulated contributions over the total monthly |
1062 | payments made to the member prior to the date of death. |
1063 | (e) A member shall be deemed a terminated member when |
1064 | termination of employment has occurred as provided in s. |
1065 | 121.021(39). |
1066 | (f) Any member who has been found guilty by a verdict of a |
1067 | jury, or by the court trying the case without a jury, of |
1068 | committing, aiding, or abetting any embezzlement or theft from |
1069 | his or her employer, bribery in connection with the employment, |
1070 | or other felony specified in chapter 838, except ss. 838.15 and |
1071 | 838.16, committed prior to retirement, or who has entered a plea |
1072 | of guilty or of nolo contendere to such crime, or any member |
1073 | whose employment is terminated by reason of the member's |
1074 | admitted commitment, aiding, or abetting of an embezzlement or |
1075 | theft from his or her employer, bribery, or other felony |
1076 | specified in chapter 838, except ss. 838.15 and 838.16, shall |
1077 | forfeit all rights and benefits under this chapter, except the |
1078 | return of his or her accumulated contributions as of the date of |
1079 | termination. |
1080 | (g) Any elected official who is convicted by the Senate of |
1081 | an impeachable offense shall forfeit all rights and benefits |
1082 | under this chapter, except the return of his or her accumulated |
1083 | contributions as of the date of the conviction. |
1084 | (h) Any member who, prior to retirement, is adjudged by a |
1085 | court of competent jurisdiction to have violated any state law |
1086 | against strikes by public employees, or who has been found |
1087 | guilty by such court of violating any state law prohibiting |
1088 | strikes by public employees, shall forfeit all rights and |
1089 | benefits under this chapter, except the return of his or her |
1090 | accumulated contributions as of the date of the conviction. |
1091 | (i) Any beneficiary who by a verdict of a jury or by the |
1092 | court trying the case without a jury is found guilty, or who has |
1093 | entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, of unlawfully and |
1094 | intentionally killing or procuring the death of the member |
1095 | forfeits all rights to the deceased member's benefits under this |
1096 | chapter, and the benefits will be paid as if such beneficiary |
1097 | had predeceased the decedent. |
1098 | (j) Benefits shall not be paid by the division pending |
1099 | final resolution of such charges against a member or beneficiary |
1100 | if the resolution of such charges could require the forfeiture |
1101 | of benefits as provided in paragraph (f), paragraph (g), |
1102 | paragraph (h), or paragraph (i). |
1103 | (6) OPTIONAL FORMS OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND DISABILITY |
1104 | RETIREMENT BENEFITS.-- |
1105 | (a) Prior to the receipt of the first monthly retirement |
1106 | payment, a member shall elect to receive the retirement benefits |
1107 | to which he or she is entitled under subsection (1), subsection |
1108 | (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4) in accordance with one of |
1109 | the following options: |
1110 | 1. The maximum retirement benefit payable to the member |
1111 | during his or her lifetime. |
1112 | 2. A decreased retirement benefit payable to the member |
1113 | during his or her lifetime and, in the event of his or her death |
1114 | within a period of 10 years after retirement, the same monthly |
1115 | amount payable for the balance of such 10-year period to his or |
1116 | her beneficiary or, in case the beneficiary is deceased, in |
1117 | accordance with subsection (8) as though no beneficiary had been |
1118 | named. |
1119 | 3. A decreased retirement benefit payable during the joint |
1120 | lifetime of both the member and his or her joint annuitant and |
1121 | which, after the death of either, shall continue during the |
1122 | lifetime of the survivor in the same amount, subject to the |
1123 | provisions of subsection (12). |
1124 | 4. A decreased retirement benefit payable during the joint |
1125 | lifetime of the member and his or her joint annuitant and which, |
1126 | after the death of either, shall continue during the lifetime of |
1127 | the survivor in an amount equal to 662/3 percent of the amount |
1128 | that was payable during the joint lifetime of the member and his |
1129 | or her joint annuitant, subject to the provisions of subsection |
1130 | (12). |
1131 |
|
1132 | The spouse of any member who elects to receive the benefit |
1133 | provided under subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. shall be |
1134 | notified of and shall acknowledge any such election. The |
1135 | division shall establish by rule a method for selecting the |
1136 | appropriate actuarial factor for optional forms of benefits |
1137 | selected under subparagraphs 3. and 4., based on the age of the |
1138 | member and the joint annuitant. |
1139 | (b) The benefit payable under any option stated above |
1140 | shall be the actuarial equivalent, based on tables adopted by |
1141 | the administrator for this purpose, of the amount to which the |
1142 | member was otherwise entitled. |
1143 | (c) A member who elects the option in subparagraph (a)2. |
1144 | shall, in accordance with subsection (8), designate one or more |
1145 | persons to receive the benefits payable in the event of his or |
1146 | her death. Such persons shall be the beneficiaries of the |
1147 | member. The member may also designate one or more contingent |
1148 | beneficiaries to receive any benefits remaining upon the death |
1149 | of the primary beneficiary. |
1150 | (d) A member who elects the option in subparagraph (a)3. |
1151 | or subparagraph (a)4. shall, on a form provided for that |
1152 | purpose, designate a joint annuitant to receive the benefits |
1153 | which continue to be payable upon the death of the member. After |
1154 | benefits have commenced under the option in subparagraph (a)3. |
1155 | or subparagraph (a)4., the following shall apply: |
1156 | 1. A retired member may change his or her designation of a |
1157 | joint annuitant only twice. If such a retired member desires to |
1158 | change his or her designation of a joint annuitant, he or she |
1159 | shall file with the division a notarized "change of joint |
1160 | annuitant" form and shall notify the former joint annuitant in |
1161 | writing of such change. Effective the first day of the next |
1162 | month following receipt by the division of a completed change of |
1163 | joint annuitant form, the division shall adjust the member's |
1164 | monthly benefit by the application of actuarial tables and |
1165 | calculations developed to ensure that the benefit paid is the |
1166 | actuarial equivalent of the present value of the member's |
1167 | current benefit. The consent of a retired member's first |
1168 | designated joint annuitant to any such change shall not be |
1169 | required. However, if either the member or the joint annuitant |
1170 | dies before the effective date of the request for change of |
1171 | joint annuitant, the requested change shall be void, and |
1172 | survivor benefits, if any, shall be paid as if no request had |
1173 | been made. |
1174 | 2. In the event of the dissolution of marriage of a |
1175 | retired member and a joint annuitant, such member may make an |
1176 | election to nullify the joint annuitant designation of the |
1177 | former spouse, unless there is an existing qualified domestic |
1178 | relations order preventing such action. The member shall file |
1179 | with the division a written, notarized nullification which shall |
1180 | be effective on the first day of the next month following |
1181 | receipt by the division. Benefits shall be paid as if the former |
1182 | spouse predeceased the member. A member who makes such an |
1183 | election may not reverse the nullification but may designate a |
1184 | new joint annuitant in accordance with subparagraph 1. |
1185 | (e) The election of an option shall be null and void if |
1186 | the member dies before the effective date of retirement. |
1187 | (f) A member who elects to receive benefits under the |
1188 | option in subparagraph (a)3. may designate one or more qualified |
1189 | persons, either a spouse or other dependent, as his or her joint |
1190 | annuitant to receive the benefits after the member's death in |
1191 | whatever proportion he or she so assigns to each person named as |
1192 | joint annuitant. The division shall adopt appropriate actuarial |
1193 | tables and calculations necessary to ensure that the benefit |
1194 | paid is the actuarial equivalent of the benefit to which the |
1195 | member is otherwise entitled under the option in subparagraph |
1196 | (a)1. |
1197 | (g) Upon the death of a retired member or beneficiary |
1198 | receiving monthly benefits under this chapter, the monthly |
1199 | benefits shall be paid through the last day of the month of |
1200 | death and shall terminate, or be adjusted, if applicable, as of |
1201 | that date in accordance with the optional form of benefit |
1202 | selected at the time of retirement. |
1203 | (h) The option selected or determined for payment of |
1204 | benefits as provided in this section shall be final and |
1205 | irrevocable at the time a benefit payment is cashed or deposited |
1206 | or credited to the Deferred Retirement Option Program as |
1207 | provided in subsection (13). |
1208 | (7) DEATH BENEFITS.-- |
1209 | (a) If the employment of a member is terminated by reason |
1210 | of his or her death prior to being vested, except as provided in |
1211 | paragraph (f), there shall be payable to his or her designated |
1212 | beneficiary the member's accumulated contributions. |
1213 | (b) If the employment of an active member who may or may |
1214 | not have applied for retirement is terminated by reason of his |
1215 | or her death subsequent to becoming vested and prior to his or |
1216 | her effective date of retirement, if established, it shall be |
1217 | assumed that the member retired as of the date of death in |
1218 | accordance with subsection (1) if eligible for normal retirement |
1219 | benefits, subsection (2) if eligible for benefits payable for |
1220 | dual normal retirement, or subsection (3) if eligible for early |
1221 | retirement benefits. Benefits payable to the designated |
1222 | beneficiary shall be as follows: |
1223 | 1. For a beneficiary who qualifies as a joint annuitant, |
1224 | the optional form of payment provided in accordance with |
1225 | subparagraph (6)(a)3. shall be paid for the joint annuitant's |
1226 | lifetime. |
1227 | 2. For a beneficiary who does not qualify as a joint |
1228 | annuitant, no continuing monthly benefit shall be paid and the |
1229 | beneficiary shall be entitled only to the return of the member's |
1230 | personal contributions. If there is no monetary interest in the |
1231 | member's retirement account for which such beneficiary is |
1232 | eligible, the beneficiary shall be the next named beneficiary |
1233 | or, if no other beneficiary is named, the beneficiary shall be |
1234 | the next eligible beneficiary according to subsection (8). |
1235 | (c) If a retiring member dies on or after the effective |
1236 | date of retirement, but prior to a benefit payment being cashed |
1237 | or deposited, or credited to the Deferred Retirement Option |
1238 | Program, benefits shall be paid as follows: |
1239 | 1. For a designated beneficiary who qualifies as a joint |
1240 | annuitant, benefits shall be paid in the optional form of |
1241 | payment provided in subparagraph (6)(a)3. for the joint |
1242 | annuitant's lifetime or, if the member chose the optional form |
1243 | of payment provided in subparagraph (6)(a)2., the joint |
1244 | annuitant may select the form provided in either subparagraph |
1245 | (6)(a)2. or subparagraph (6)(a)3. |
1246 | 2. For a designated beneficiary who does not qualify as a |
1247 | joint annuitant, any benefits payable shall be paid as provided |
1248 | in the option selected by the member; or if the member has not |
1249 | selected an option, benefits shall be paid in the optional form |
1250 | of payment provided in subparagraph (6)(a)1. |
1251 | (d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to |
1252 | the contrary, with the exception of the Deferred Retirement |
1253 | Option Program, as provided in subsection (13): |
1254 | 1. The surviving spouse of any member killed in the line |
1255 | of duty may receive a monthly pension equal to one-half of the |
1256 | monthly salary being received by the member at the time of death |
1257 | for the rest of the surviving spouse's lifetime or, if the |
1258 | member was vested, such surviving spouse may elect to receive a |
1259 | benefit as provided in paragraph (b). Benefits provided by this |
1260 | paragraph shall supersede any other distribution that may have |
1261 | been provided by the member's designation of beneficiary. |
1262 | 2. If the surviving spouse of a member killed in the line |
1263 | of duty dies, the monthly payments which would have been payable |
1264 | to such surviving spouse had such surviving spouse lived shall |
1265 | be paid for the use and benefit of such member's child or |
1266 | children under 18 years of age and unmarried until the 18th |
1267 | birthday of the member's youngest child. |
1268 | 3. If a member killed in the line of duty leaves no |
1269 | surviving spouse but is survived by a child or children under 18 |
1270 | years of age, the benefits provided by subparagraph 1., normally |
1271 | payable to a surviving spouse, shall be paid for the use and |
1272 | benefit of such member's child or children under 18 years of age |
1273 | and unmarried until the 18th birthday of the member's youngest |
1274 | child. |
1275 | 4. The surviving spouse of a member whose benefit |
1276 | terminated because of remarriage shall have the benefit |
1277 | reinstated beginning July 1, 1993, at an amount that would have |
1278 | been payable had the benefit not been terminated. |
1279 | (e) The surviving spouse or other dependent of any member, |
1280 | except a member who participated in the Deferred Retirement |
1281 | Option Program, whose employment is terminated by death shall, |
1282 | upon application to the administrator, be permitted to pay the |
1283 | required contributions for any service performed by the member |
1284 | which could have been claimed by the member at the time of his |
1285 | or her death. Such service shall be added to the creditable |
1286 | service of the member and shall be used in the calculation of |
1287 | any benefits which may be payable to the surviving spouse or |
1288 | other surviving dependent. |
1289 | (f) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this chapter |
1290 | to the contrary and upon application to the administrator, an |
1291 | eligible joint annuitant, of a member whose employment is |
1292 | terminated by death within 1 year of such member satisfying the |
1293 | service requirements for vesting and retirement eligibility, |
1294 | shall be permitted to purchase only the additional service |
1295 | credit necessary to vest and qualify for retirement benefits, |
1296 | not to exceed a total of 1 year of credit, by one or a |
1297 | combination of the following methods: |
1298 | 1. Such eligible joint annuitant may use the deceased |
1299 | member's accumulated hours of annual, sick, and compensatory |
1300 | leave to purchase additional creditable service, on an hour by |
1301 | hour basis, provided that such deceased member's accumulated |
1302 | leave is sufficient to cover the additional months required. For |
1303 | each month of service credit needed prior to the final month, |
1304 | credit for the total number of work hours in that month must be |
1305 | purchased, using an equal number of the deceased member's |
1306 | accumulated leave hours. Service credit required for the final |
1307 | month in which the deceased member would have become vested |
1308 | shall be awarded upon the purchase of 1 hour of credit. Such |
1309 | eligible joint annuitant shall pay the contribution rate in |
1310 | effect for the period of time being claimed for the deceased |
1311 | member's class of membership, multiplied by such member's |
1312 | monthly salary at the time of death, plus 6.5 percent interest |
1313 | compounded annually. The accumulated leave payment used in the |
1314 | average final compensation shall not include that portion of the |
1315 | payment that represents any leave hours used in the purchase of |
1316 | such creditable service. |
1317 | 2. Such eligible joint annuitant may purchase additional |
1318 | months of creditable service for any periods of out-of-state |
1319 | service as provided in s. 121.1115, and in-state service as |
1320 | provided in s. 121.1122, that the deceased member would have |
1321 | been eligible to purchase prior to his or her death. |
1322 |
|
1323 | Service purchased under this paragraph shall be added to the |
1324 | creditable service of the member and used to vest for retirement |
1325 | eligibility, and shall be used in the calculation of any |
1326 | benefits which may be payable to the eligible joint annuitant. |
1327 | Any benefits paid in accordance with this paragraph shall only |
1328 | be made prospectively. |
1329 | (g) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this chapter |
1330 | to the contrary, if any member who is vested dies and the |
1331 | surviving spouse receives a refund of the accumulated |
1332 | contributions made to the retirement trust fund, such spouse may |
1333 | pay to the Division of Retirement an amount equal to the sum of |
1334 | the amount of the deceased member's accumulated contributions |
1335 | previously refunded plus interest at 4 percent compounded |
1336 | annually each June 30 from the date of refund until July 1, |
1337 | 1975, and 6.5 percent interest compounded annually thereafter, |
1338 | until full payment is made, and receive the monthly retirement |
1339 | benefit as provided in paragraph (b). |
1340 | (h) The designated beneficiary who is the surviving spouse |
1341 | or other dependent of a member whose employment is terminated by |
1342 | death subsequent to becoming vested, but prior to actual |
1343 | retirement, may elect to receive a deferred monthly benefit as |
1344 | if the member had lived and had elected a deferred monthly |
1345 | benefit, as provided in paragraph (5)(b), calculated on the |
1346 | basis of the average final compensation and creditable service |
1347 | of the member at his or her death and the age the member would |
1348 | have attained on the commencement date of the deferred benefit |
1349 | elected by the beneficiary, paid in accordance with option 3 of |
1350 | paragraph (6)(a). |
1351 | (8) DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARIES.-- |
1352 | (a) Each member may, on a form provided for that purpose, |
1353 | signed and filed with the division, designate a choice of one or |
1354 | more persons, named sequentially or jointly, as his or her |
1355 | beneficiary who shall receive the benefits, if any, which may be |
1356 | payable in the event of the member's death pursuant to the |
1357 | provisions of this chapter. If no beneficiary is named in the |
1358 | manner provided above, or if no beneficiary designated by the |
1359 | member survives the member, the beneficiary shall be the spouse |
1360 | of the deceased, if living. If the member's spouse is not alive |
1361 | at his or her death, the beneficiary shall be the living |
1362 | children of the member. If no children survive, the beneficiary |
1363 | shall be the member's father or mother, if living; otherwise, |
1364 | the beneficiary shall be the member's estate. The beneficiary |
1365 | most recently designated by a member on a form or letter filed |
1366 | with the division shall be the beneficiary entitled to any |
1367 | benefits payable at the time of the member's death, except that |
1368 | benefits shall be paid as provided in paragraph (7)(d) when |
1369 | death occurs in the line of duty. Notwithstanding any other |
1370 | provisions in this subsection to the contrary, for a member who |
1371 | dies prior to his or her effective date of retirement on or |
1372 | after January 1, 1999, the spouse at the time of death shall be |
1373 | the member's beneficiary unless such member designates a |
1374 | different beneficiary as provided herein subsequent to the |
1375 | member's most recent marriage. |
1376 | (b) A designated beneficiary of a retirement account for |
1377 | whom there is a monetary interest may disclaim his or her |
1378 | monetary interest as provided in chapter 739 and in accordance |
1379 | with division rules governing such disclaimers. Such disclaimer |
1380 | must be filed within 24 months after the event that created the |
1381 | interest, that is, the death of the member or annuitant. |
1382 | (c) Notwithstanding the member's designation of benefits |
1383 | to be paid through a trust to a beneficiary that is a natural |
1384 | person as provided in s. 121.021(46), and notwithstanding the |
1385 | provisions of the trust, benefits shall be paid directly to the |
1386 | beneficiary if the person is no longer a minor or an |
1387 | incapacitated person as defined in s. 744.102. |
1388 | (9) EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT; LIMITATION.-- |
1389 | (a) Any person who is retired under this chapter, except |
1390 | under the disability retirement provisions of subsection (4), |
1391 | may be employed by an employer that does not participate in a |
1392 | state-administered retirement system and may receive |
1393 | compensation from that employment without limiting or |
1394 | restricting in any way the retirement benefits payable to that |
1395 | person. |
1396 | (b)1. Any person who is retired under this chapter, except |
1397 | under the disability retirement provisions of subsection (4), |
1398 | may be reemployed by any private or public employer after |
1399 | retirement and receive retirement benefits and compensation from |
1400 | the his or her employer without limitation any limitations, |
1401 | except that the a person may not receive both a salary from |
1402 | reemployment with any agency participating in the Florida |
1403 | Retirement System and retirement benefits under this chapter for |
1404 | a period of 12 calendar months immediately after subsequent to |
1405 | the calendar month that termination is met as defined in s. |
1406 | 121.021(39), except as provided in sub-subparagraph b. date of |
1407 | retirement. However, a DROP participant may shall continue |
1408 | employment and receive a salary during the period of |
1409 | participation in DROP the Deferred Retirement Option Program, as |
1410 | provided in subsection (13). |
1411 | 2. Any person to whom the limitation in subparagraph 1. |
1412 | applies who violates such reemployment limitation and who is |
1413 | reemployed with any agency participating in the Florida |
1414 | Retirement System after he or she has been retired and met the |
1415 | definition of termination in s. 121.021(39), but before |
1416 | completion of the 12-month limitation period must shall give |
1417 | timely notice of this fact in writing to the employer and to the |
1418 | Division of Retirement and shall have his or her retirement |
1419 | benefits suspended while employed during for the balance of the |
1420 | 12-month limitation period unless the person exceeds the 780- |
1421 | hour limitation in subparagraph 4. or subparagraph 5. Any person |
1422 | employed in violation of this paragraph and any employing agency |
1423 | that which knowingly employs or appoints such person without |
1424 | notifying the division of Retirement to suspend retirement |
1425 | benefits are shall be jointly and severally liable for |
1426 | reimbursement to the retirement trust fund of any benefits paid |
1427 | during the reemployment limitation period. To avoid liability, |
1428 | the such employing agency must shall have a written statement |
1429 | from the retiree that he or she is not retired from a state- |
1430 | administered retirement system. Any retirement benefits received |
1431 | while reemployed during this reemployment limitation period must |
1432 | shall be repaid to the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund, and |
1433 | retirement benefits shall remain suspended until such repayment |
1434 | has been made. Benefits suspended beyond the reemployment |
1435 | limitation shall apply toward repayment of benefits received in |
1436 | violation of the reemployment limitation. |
1437 | 3. A district school board may reemploy a retired member |
1438 | as a substitute or hourly teacher, education paraprofessional, |
1439 | transportation assistant, bus driver, or food service worker on |
1440 | a noncontractual basis after he or she has been retired and met |
1441 | the definition of termination for 1 calendar month, in |
1442 | accordance with s. 121.021(39). A district school board may |
1443 | reemploy a retired member as instructional personnel, as defined |
1444 | in s. 1012.01(2)(a), on an annual contractual basis after he or |
1445 | she has been retired for 1 calendar month, in accordance with s. |
1446 | 121.021(39). Any other retired member who is reemployed before |
1447 | meeting the definition of termination voids within 1 calendar |
1448 | month after retirement shall void his or her application for |
1449 | retirement benefits. District school boards reemploying such |
1450 | teachers, education paraprofessionals, transportation |
1451 | assistants, bus drivers, or food service workers are subject to |
1452 | the retirement contribution required by subparagraph 9. 7. |
1453 | 4. A community college board of trustees may reemploy a |
1454 | retired member as an adjunct instructor, that is, an instructor |
1455 | who is noncontractual and part-time, or as a participant in a |
1456 | phased retirement program within the Florida Community College |
1457 | System, after he or she has been retired and met the definition |
1458 | of termination for 1 calendar month, in accordance with s. |
1459 | 121.021(39). Any retired member who is reemployed before meeting |
1460 | the definition of termination voids within 1 calendar month |
1461 | after retirement shall void his or her application for |
1462 | retirement benefits. Boards of trustees reemploying such |
1463 | instructors are subject to the retirement contribution required |
1464 | in subparagraph 7. A retired member may be reemployed as an |
1465 | adjunct instructor for no more than 780 hours during the first |
1466 | 12 calendar months after meeting the definition of termination |
1467 | of retirement. Any retired member reemployed for more than 780 |
1468 | hours during the 12-month limitation period must first 12 months |
1469 | of retirement shall give timely notice in writing to the |
1470 | employer and to the Division of Retirement of the date he or she |
1471 | will exceed the limitation. The division shall suspend his or |
1472 | her retirement benefits for the remainder of the 12-month |
1473 | limitation period first 12 months of retirement. Any person |
1474 | employed in violation of this subparagraph and any employing |
1475 | agency that which knowingly employs or appoints such person |
1476 | without notifying the division of Retirement to suspend |
1477 | retirement benefits are shall be jointly and severally liable |
1478 | for reimbursement to the retirement trust fund of any benefits |
1479 | paid during the reemployment limitation period. To avoid |
1480 | liability, the such employing agency must shall have a written |
1481 | statement from the retiree that he or she is not retired from a |
1482 | state-administered retirement system. Any retirement benefits |
1483 | received by a retired member while reemployed in excess of 780 |
1484 | hours during the 12-month limitation period must first 12 months |
1485 | of retirement shall be repaid to the Florida Retirement System |
1486 | Trust Fund, and retirement benefits shall remain suspended until |
1487 | repayment is made. Benefits suspended beyond the end of the 12- |
1488 | month limitation period retired member's first 12 months of |
1489 | retirement shall apply toward repayment of benefits received in |
1490 | violation of the 780-hour reemployment limitation. |
1491 | 5. The State University System may reemploy a retired |
1492 | member as an adjunct faculty member or as a participant in a |
1493 | phased retirement program within the State University System |
1494 | after the retired member has met the definition of termination |
1495 | been retired for 1 calendar month, in accordance with s. |
1496 | 121.021(39). A Any retired member who is reemployed before |
1497 | meeting the definition of termination voids within 1 calendar |
1498 | month after retirement shall void his or her application for |
1499 | retirement benefits. The State University System is subject to |
1500 | the retired contribution required in subparagraph 9. 7., as |
1501 | appropriate. A retired member may be reemployed as an adjunct |
1502 | faculty member or a participant in a phased retirement program |
1503 | for no more than 780 hours during the first 12 calendar months |
1504 | after meeting the definition of termination of his or her |
1505 | retirement. Any retired member reemployed for more than 780 |
1506 | hours during the 12-month limitation period first 12 months of |
1507 | retirement shall give timely notice in writing to the employer |
1508 | and to the Division of Retirement of the date he or she will |
1509 | exceed the limitation. The division shall suspend his or her |
1510 | retirement benefits for the remainder of the 12-month limitation |
1511 | period first 12 months of retirement. Any person employed in |
1512 | violation of this subparagraph and any employing agency that |
1513 | which knowingly employs or appoints such person without |
1514 | notifying the division of Retirement to suspend retirement |
1515 | benefits are shall be jointly and severally liable for |
1516 | reimbursement to the retirement trust fund of any benefits paid |
1517 | during the reemployment limitation period. To avoid liability, |
1518 | such employing agency must shall have a written statement from |
1519 | the retiree that he or she is not retired from a state- |
1520 | administered retirement system. Any retirement benefits received |
1521 | by a retired member while reemployed in excess of 780 hours |
1522 | during the 12-month limitation period must first 12 months of |
1523 | retirement shall be repaid to the Florida Retirement System |
1524 | Trust Fund, and retirement benefits shall remain suspended until |
1525 | repayment is made. Benefits suspended beyond the end of the |
1526 | retired member's 12-month limitation period first 12 months of |
1527 | retirement shall apply toward repayment of benefits received in |
1528 | violation of the 780-hour reemployment limitation. |
1529 | 6. The Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the |
1530 | Deaf and the Blind may reemploy a retired member as a substitute |
1531 | teacher, substitute residential instructor, or substitute nurse |
1532 | on a noncontractual basis after he or she has met the definition |
1533 | of termination been retired for 1 calendar month, in accordance |
1534 | with s. 121.021(39). The Board of Trustees of the Florida School |
1535 | for the Deaf and the Blind may reemploy a retired member as |
1536 | instructional personnel, as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), on an |
1537 | annual contractual basis after he or she has been retired and |
1538 | met the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). Any retired |
1539 | member who is reemployed before meeting the definition of |
1540 | termination voids within 1 calendar month after retirement shall |
1541 | void his or her application for retirement benefits. The Board |
1542 | of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind |
1543 | reemploying such teachers, residential instructors, or nurses is |
1544 | subject to the retirement contribution required by subparagraph |
1545 | 9. 7. Reemployment of a retired member as a substitute teacher, |
1546 | substitute residential instructor, or substitute nurse is |
1547 | limited to 780 hours during the first 12 months of his or her |
1548 | retirement. Any retired member reemployed for more than 780 |
1549 | hours during the first 12 months of retirement shall give timely |
1550 | notice in writing to the employer and to the division of the |
1551 | date he or she will exceed the limitation. The division shall |
1552 | suspend his or her retirement benefits for the remainder of the |
1553 | first 12 months of retirement. Any person employed in violation |
1554 | of this subparagraph and any employing agency which knowingly |
1555 | employs or appoints such person without notifying the Division |
1556 | of Retirement to suspend retirement benefits shall be jointly |
1557 | and severally liable for reimbursement to the retirement trust |
1558 | fund of any benefits paid during the reemployment limitation |
1559 | period. To avoid liability, such employing agency shall have a |
1560 | written statement from the retiree that he or she is not retired |
1561 | from a state-administered retirement system. Any retirement |
1562 | benefits received by a retired member while reemployed in excess |
1563 | of 780 hours during the first 12 months of retirement shall be |
1564 | repaid to the Retirement System Trust Fund, and his or her |
1565 | retirement benefits shall remain suspended until payment is |
1566 | made. Benefits suspended beyond the end of the retired member's |
1567 | first 12 months of retirement shall apply toward repayment of |
1568 | benefits received in violation of the 780-hour reemployment |
1569 | limitation. |
1570 | 7. A developmental research school may reemploy a retired |
1571 | member as a substitute or hourly teacher or an education |
1572 | paraprofessional, as defined in s. 1012.01(2), on a |
1573 | noncontractual basis after he or she has been retired and met |
1574 | the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). A developmental |
1575 | research school may reemploy a retired member as instructional |
1576 | personnel, as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), on an annual |
1577 | contractual basis after he or she has been retired and met the |
1578 | definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). Any other retired |
1579 | member who is reemployed within 12 calendar months after |
1580 | retirement voids his or her application for retirement benefits. |
1581 | A developmental research school that reemploys retired teachers |
1582 | and education paraprofessionals is subject to the retirement |
1583 | contribution required by subparagraph 9. |
1584 | 8. A charter school may reemploy a retired member as a |
1585 | substitute or hourly teacher on a noncontractual basis after he |
1586 | or she has been retired and met the definition of termination in |
1587 | s. 121.021(39). A charter school may reemploy a retired member |
1588 | as instructional personnel, as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), on |
1589 | an annual contractual basis after he or she has been retired and |
1590 | met the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). Any other |
1591 | retired member who is reemployed within 12 calendar months after |
1592 | retirement voids his or her application for retirement benefits. |
1593 | A charter school that reemploys such teachers is subject to the |
1594 | retirement contribution required by subparagraph 9. |
1595 | 9.a.7. The employment by an employer of a any retiree or |
1596 | DROP participant of a any state-administered retirement system |
1597 | does not affect shall have no effect on the average final |
1598 | compensation or years of creditable service of the retiree or |
1599 | DROP participant. |
1600 | b. Prior to July 1, 1991, and for initial enrollment as a |
1601 | renewed member through June 30, 2009, upon employment of any |
1602 | person, other than an elected officer as provided in s. 121.053, |
1603 | who is has been retired under a any state-administered |
1604 | retirement program, the employer shall pay retirement |
1605 | contributions in an amount equal to the unfunded actuarial |
1606 | liability portion of the employer contribution which would be |
1607 | required for regular members of the Florida Retirement System. |
1608 | Effective July 1, 1991, contributions shall be made as provided |
1609 | in s. 121.122 for retirees who have with renewed membership or, |
1610 | as provided in subsection (13), for with respect to DROP |
1611 | participants. |
1612 | c. Any person who is retired under a state-administered |
1613 | retirement program and who is initially reemployed on or after |
1614 | July 1, 2009, may not renew membership in the Florida Retirement |
1615 | System. The employer shall pay retirement contributions in an |
1616 | amount equal to the unfunded actuarial liability portion of the |
1617 | employer contribution that would be required for active members |
1618 | of the Florida Retirement System in addition to the |
1619 | contributions required by s. 121.76. |
1620 | 10.8. Any person who has previously retired and who is |
1621 | holding an elective public office or an appointment to an |
1622 | elective public office initially eligible for the Elected |
1623 | Officers' Class on or after July 1, 1990, through June 30, 2009, |
1624 | shall be enrolled in the Florida Retirement System as provided |
1625 | in s. 121.053(1)(c)(b) or, if holding an elective public office |
1626 | that does not qualify for the Elected Officers' Class on or |
1627 | after July 1, 1991, through June 30, 2009, shall be enrolled in |
1628 | the Florida Retirement System as provided in s. 121.122, and |
1629 | shall continue to receive retirement benefits as well as |
1630 | compensation for the elected officer's service for as long as he |
1631 | or she remains in elective office. However, any retired member |
1632 | who served in an elective office prior to July 1, 1990, |
1633 | suspended his or her retirement benefit, and had his or her |
1634 | Florida Retirement System membership reinstated shall, upon |
1635 | retirement from such office, have his or her retirement benefit |
1636 | recalculated to include the additional service and compensation |
1637 | earned. |
1638 | b. Any person who has retired and who is holding an |
1639 | elective public office or an appointment to an elective public |
1640 | office initially eligible for the Elected Officers' Class on or |
1641 | after July 1, 2009, shall not be enrolled in the Florida |
1642 | Retirement System as provided in s. 121.053(1)(c) or, if holding |
1643 | an elective public office that does not qualify for the Elected |
1644 | Officers' Class and is initially eligible on or after July 1, |
1645 | 2009, shall not be enrolled in the Florida Retirement System as |
1646 | provided in s. 121.122, and shall not continue to receive |
1647 | retirement benefits during the first 12 calendar months after |
1648 | meeting the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39). |
1649 | 11.a.9. Any person who is holding an elective public |
1650 | office which is covered by the Florida Retirement System and who |
1651 | is concurrently employed in nonelected covered employment before |
1652 | July 1, 2009, may elect to retire while continuing employment in |
1653 | the elective public office, if provided that he or she |
1654 | terminates shall be required to terminate his or her nonelected |
1655 | covered employment. Any person who exercises this election shall |
1656 | receive his or her retirement benefits in addition to the |
1657 | compensation of the elective office without regard to the time |
1658 | limitations otherwise provided in this subsection. A No person |
1659 | who seeks to exercise the provisions of this subparagraph, as |
1660 | they the same existed prior to May 3, 1984, may not shall be |
1661 | deemed to be retired under those provisions, unless such person |
1662 | is eligible to retire under the provisions of this subparagraph, |
1663 | as amended by chapter 84-11, Laws of Florida. |
1664 | b. Any person who is holding an elective public office |
1665 | which is covered by the Florida Retirement System and who is |
1666 | concurrently employed in nonelected covered employment on or |
1667 | after July 1, 2009, may not elect to retire while continuing |
1668 | employment in the elective public office. Such person must meet |
1669 | the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39) and is subject |
1670 | to the limitations provided in this section. |
1671 | 12.10. The limitations of this paragraph apply to |
1672 | reemployment in any capacity with an "employer" as defined in s. |
1673 | 121.021(10), irrespective of the category of funds from which |
1674 | the person is compensated. |
1675 | 13. The limitations of this paragraph apply to |
1676 | reemployment in any capacity with an employer, as defined in s. |
1677 | 121.021, irrespective of the category of funds from which the |
1678 | person is compensated. |
1679 | 14. The reemployment after retirement provisions of this |
1680 | paragraph apply to DROP participants effective upon termination |
1681 | from employment and the end of DROP participation. |
1682 | 11. An employing agency may reemploy a retired member as a |
1683 | firefighter or paramedic after the retired member has been |
1684 | retired for 1 calendar month, in accordance with s. 121.021(39). |
1685 | Any retired member who is reemployed within 1 calendar month |
1686 | after retirement shall void his or her application for |
1687 | retirement benefits. The employing agency reemploying such |
1688 | firefighter or paramedic is subject to the retired contribution |
1689 | required in subparagraph 8. Reemployment of a retired |
1690 | firefighter or paramedic is limited to no more than 780 hours |
1691 | during the first 12 months of his or her retirement. Any retired |
1692 | member reemployed for more than 780 hours during the first 12 |
1693 | months of retirement shall give timely notice in writing to the |
1694 | employer and to the Division of the date he or she will exceed |
1695 | the limitation. The division shall suspend his or her retirement |
1696 | benefits for the remainder of the first 12 months of retirement. |
1697 | Any person employed in violation of this subparagraph and any |
1698 | employing agency which knowingly employs or appoints such person |
1699 | without notifying the division of Retirement to suspend |
1700 | retirement benefits shall be jointly and severally liable for |
1701 | reimbursement to the Retirement System Trust Fund of any |
1702 | benefits paid during the reemployment limitation period. To |
1703 | avoid liability, such employing agency shall have a written |
1704 | statement from the retiree that he or she is not retired from a |
1705 | state-administered retirement system. Any retirement benefits |
1706 | received by a retired member while reemployed in excess of 780 |
1707 | hours during the first 12 months of retirement shall be repaid |
1708 | to the Retirement System Trust Fund, and retirement benefits |
1709 | shall remain suspended until repayment is made. Benefits |
1710 | suspended beyond the end of the retired member's first 12 months |
1711 | of retirement shall apply toward repayment of benefits received |
1712 | in violation of the 780-hour reemployment |
1713 | limitation. |
1714 | (c) The provisions of this subsection apply to retirees, |
1715 | as defined in s. 121.4501(2)(j), of the Public Employee Optional |
1716 | Retirement Program created in part II, subject to the following |
1717 | conditions: |
1718 | 1. Such retirees may not be reemployed with an employer |
1719 | participating in the Florida Retirement System as provided in |
1720 | paragraph (b) until such person has been retired for 12 3 |
1721 | calendar months, unless the participant has reached the normal |
1722 | retirement requirements of the defined benefit plan as provided |
1723 | in s. 121.021(29). |
1724 | 2. Such retiree employed in violation of this subsection |
1725 | and any employing agency that knowingly employs or appoints such |
1726 | person shall be jointly and severally liable for reimbursement |
1727 | of any benefits paid to the retirement trust fund from which the |
1728 | benefits were paid, including the Retirement System Trust Fund |
1729 | and the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund, |
1730 | as appropriate. To avoid liability, such employing agency must |
1731 | have a written statement from the retiree that he or she is not |
1732 | retired from a state-administered retirement system. |
1733 | (d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, a |
1734 | member of the Special Risk Class who is employed as a law |
1735 | enforcement officer, correctional officer, or community-based |
1736 | correctional probation officer, as described in s. 121.0515(2), |
1737 | and who has a rank or the equivalent rank of captain or below, |
1738 | at the conclusion of his or her participation in DROP, may not |
1739 | be employed, reemployed, or retained in a contractual capacity |
1740 | by the same employing agency from which the member retired; |
1741 | however, the member may be retained by the employing agency as a |
1742 | part-time or auxiliary law enforcement officer, as those terms |
1743 | are defined in s. 943.10, if the member is serving on a |
1744 | voluntary basis and receives no more than $1 per calendar year |
1745 | in remuneration for services rendered directly for the employing |
1746 | agency. Any person who is reemployed or retained in a |
1747 | contractual capacity in violation of this paragraph shall void |
1748 | his or her application for retirement benefits. Any person who |
1749 | violates this paragraph and any employing agency that knowingly |
1750 | employs or contracts with such person in violation of this |
1751 | paragraph is jointly and severally liable for reimbursement to |
1752 | the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund for any retirement |
1753 | benefits improperly paid during the reemployment or contractual |
1754 | period. This paragraph does not otherwise limit the employment |
1755 | or contractual opportunities for a retiree at any other |
1756 | employing agency. This paragraph does not apply to a retiree who |
1757 | is elected to an office or appointed to an office by the |
1758 | Governor or by the Governor and Cabinet. |
1759 | (e)1. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "member" |
1760 | means a person who: |
1761 | a. Retired from employment with an employer; |
1762 | b. Was a member of the Senior Management Service Class or |
1763 | was a member of the Special Risk Class and held the rank or |
1764 | equivalent rank of captain or above, upon retirement or at the |
1765 | end of DROP participation; and |
1766 | c. Was reemployed during months 2 through 12 by the same |
1767 | employer from which the member retired. |
1768 | 2. For the period July 1, 2005, to December 31, 2008, any |
1769 | employer who reemployed a member in months 2 through 12 of |
1770 | retirement must certify to the Governor, the President of the |
1771 | Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives the |
1772 | following information on each reemployed member no later than |
1773 | March 1, 2009: |
1774 | a. The date the member notified the employer that he or |
1775 | she intended to retire or enter DROP. |
1776 | b. The date the member provided as his or her date for |
1777 | retirement or DROP participation dates. |
1778 | c. How much time the employer had to plan for that |
1779 | member's upcoming retirement and to recruit and train a person |
1780 | to take over the member's job responsibilities prior to that |
1781 | member's retirement date. |
1782 | d. Why the employer failed to plan for that member's |
1783 | upcoming retirement and to recruit and train another person to |
1784 | take over the member's job responsibilities prior to that |
1785 | member's retirement date. |
1786 | 3. On or after January 1, 2009, any employer who reemploys |
1787 | a member in months 2 through 12 of retirement must certify to |
1788 | the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of |
1789 | the House of Representatives the following information on each |
1790 | reemployed member within 30 days of reemployment: |
1791 | a. The date the member notified the employer that he or |
1792 | she intended to retire or enter DROP. |
1793 | b. The date the member provided as his or her date for |
1794 | retirement or DROP participation dates. |
1795 | c. How much time the employer had to plan for that |
1796 | member's upcoming retirement and to recruit and train a person |
1797 | to take over the member's job responsibilities prior to that |
1798 | member's retirement date. |
1799 | d. Why the employer failed to plan for that member's |
1800 | upcoming retirement and to recruit and train another person to |
1801 | take over the member's job responsibilities prior to that |
1802 | member's retirement date. |
1803 | (10) FUTURE BENEFITS BASED ON ACTUARIAL DATA.--It is the |
1804 | intent of the Legislature that future benefit increases enacted |
1805 | into law in this chapter shall be financed concurrently by |
1806 | increased contributions or other adequate funding, and such |
1807 | funding shall be based on sound actuarial data as developed by |
1808 | the actuary or state retirement actuary, as provided in ss. |
1809 | 121.021(6) and 121.192. |
1810 | (11) A member who becomes eligible to retire and has |
1811 | accumulated the maximum benefit of 100 percent of average final |
1812 | compensation may continue in active service, and, if upon the |
1813 | member's retirement the member elects to receive a retirement |
1814 | compensation pursuant to subsection (2), subsection (6), or |
1815 | subsection (7), the actuarial equivalent percentage factor |
1816 | applicable to the age of such member at the time the member |
1817 | reached the maximum benefit and to the age, at that time, of the |
1818 | member's spouse shall determine the amount of benefits to be |
1819 | paid. |
1820 | (12) SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR PAYMENT OF CERTAIN SURVIVOR |
1821 | BENEFITS.--Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the |
1822 | contrary, for members with an effective date of retirement, or |
1823 | date of death if prior to retirement, on or after January 1, |
1824 | 1996, the named joint annuitant, as defined in s. |
1825 | 121.021(28)(b), who is eligible to receive benefits under |
1826 | subparagraph (6)(a)3. or subparagraph (6)(a)4., shall receive |
1827 | the maximum monthly retirement benefit that would have been |
1828 | payable to the member under subparagraph (6)(a)1.; however, |
1829 | payment of such benefit shall cease the month the joint |
1830 | annuitant attains age 25 unless such joint annuitant is disabled |
1831 | and incapable of self-support, in which case, benefits shall |
1832 | cease when the joint annuitant is no longer disabled. The |
1833 | administrator may require proof of disability or continued |
1834 | disability in the same manner as is provided for a member |
1835 | seeking or receiving a disability retirement benefit under |
1836 | subsection (4). |
1837 | (13) DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM.--In general, and |
1838 | subject to the provisions of this section, the Deferred |
1839 | Retirement Option Program, hereinafter referred to as the DROP, |
1840 | is a program under which an eligible member of the Florida |
1841 | Retirement System may elect to participate, deferring receipt of |
1842 | retirement benefits while continuing employment with his or her |
1843 | Florida Retirement System employer. The deferred monthly |
1844 | benefits shall accrue in the System Trust Fund on behalf of the |
1845 | participant, plus interest compounded monthly, for the specified |
1846 | period of the DROP participation, as provided in paragraph (c). |
1847 | Upon termination of employment as required in s. 121.021(39)(b), |
1848 | the participant shall receive the total DROP benefits and begin |
1849 | to receive the previously determined normal retirement benefits. |
1850 | Participation in the DROP does not guarantee employment for the |
1851 | specified period of DROP. Participation in the DROP by an |
1852 | eligible member beyond the initial 60-month period as authorized |
1853 | in this subsection shall be on an annual contractual basis for |
1854 | all participants. |
1855 | (a) Eligibility of member to participate in the DROP.--All |
1856 | active Florida Retirement System members in a regularly |
1857 | established position, and all active members of either the |
1858 | Teachers' Retirement System established in chapter 238 or the |
1859 | State and County Officers' and Employees' Retirement System |
1860 | established in chapter 122, which systems are consolidated |
1861 | within the Florida Retirement System under s. 121.011, are |
1862 | eligible to elect participation in the DROP if provided that: |
1863 | 1. The member is not a renewed member of the Florida |
1864 | Retirement System under s. 121.122, or a member or renewed |
1865 | member of the State Community College System Optional Retirement |
1866 | Program under s. 121.051, the Senior Management Service Optional |
1867 | Annuity Program under s. 121.055, or the optional retirement |
1868 | program for the State University System under s. 121.35. |
1869 | 2. Except as provided in subparagraph 6., election to |
1870 | participate is made within 12 months immediately following the |
1871 | date on which the member first reaches normal retirement date, |
1872 | or, for a member who reaches normal retirement date based on |
1873 | service before he or she reaches age 62, or age 55 for Special |
1874 | Risk Class members, election to participate may be deferred to |
1875 | the 12 months immediately following the date the member attains |
1876 | 57, or age 52 for Special Risk Class members. For a member who |
1877 | first reached normal retirement date or the deferred eligibility |
1878 | date described above prior to the effective date of this |
1879 | section, election to participate shall be made within 12 months |
1880 | after the effective date of this section. A member who fails to |
1881 | make an election within the such 12-month limitation period |
1882 | forfeits shall forfeit all rights to participate in the DROP. |
1883 | The member shall advise his or her employer and the division in |
1884 | writing of the date on which the DROP begins shall begin. The |
1885 | Such beginning date may be subsequent to the 12-month election |
1886 | period, but must be within the original 60-month participation |
1887 | or, with respect to members who are instructional personnel |
1888 | employed by the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and |
1889 | who have received authorization by the Board of Trustees of the |
1890 | Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind to participate in the |
1891 | DROP beyond 60 months, or who are instructional personnel as |
1892 | defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in grades K-12 and who have |
1893 | received authorization by the district school superintendent to |
1894 | participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, the 96-month |
1895 | limitation period as provided in subparagraph (b)1. When |
1896 | establishing eligibility of the member to participate in the |
1897 | DROP for the 60-month or, with respect to members who are |
1898 | instructional personnel employed by the Florida School for the |
1899 | Deaf and the Blind and who have received authorization by the |
1900 | Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the |
1901 | Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, or who are |
1902 | instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in |
1903 | grades K-12 and who have received authorization by the district |
1904 | school superintendent to participate in the DROP beyond 60 |
1905 | months, the 96-month maximum participation period, the member |
1906 | may elect to include or exclude any optional service credit |
1907 | purchased by the member from the total service used to establish |
1908 | the normal retirement date. A member who has with dual normal |
1909 | retirement dates is shall be eligible to elect to participate in |
1910 | DROP within 12 months after attaining normal retirement date in |
1911 | either class. |
1912 | 3. The employer of a member electing to participate in the |
1913 | DROP, or employers if dually employed, shall acknowledge in |
1914 | writing to the division the date the member's participation in |
1915 | the DROP begins and the date the member's employment and DROP |
1916 | participation will terminate. |
1917 | 4. Simultaneous employment of a participant by additional |
1918 | Florida Retirement System employers subsequent to the |
1919 | commencement of participation in the DROP is shall be |
1920 | permissible if provided such employers acknowledge in writing a |
1921 | DROP termination date no later than the participant's existing |
1922 | termination date or the maximum participation 60-month |
1923 | limitation period as provided in subparagraph (b)1. |
1924 | 5. A DROP participant may change employers while |
1925 | participating in the DROP, subject to the following: |
1926 | a. A change of employment must take place without a break |
1927 | in service so that the member receives salary for each month of |
1928 | continuous DROP participation. If a member receives no salary |
1929 | during a month, DROP participation shall cease unless the |
1930 | employer verifies a continuation of the employment relationship |
1931 | for such participant pursuant to s. 121.021(39)(b). |
1932 | b. Such participant and new employer shall notify the |
1933 | division of the identity of the new employer on forms required |
1934 | by the division as to the identity of the new employer. |
1935 | c. The new employer shall acknowledge, in writing, the |
1936 | participant's DROP termination date, which may be extended but |
1937 | not beyond the original 60-month maximum participation or, with |
1938 | respect to members who are instructional personnel employed by |
1939 | the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and who have |
1940 | received authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Florida |
1941 | School for the Deaf and the Blind to participate in the DROP |
1942 | beyond 60 months, or who are instructional personnel as defined |
1943 | in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in grades K-12 and who have received |
1944 | authorization by the district school superintendent to |
1945 | participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, the 96-month period |
1946 | provided in subparagraph (b)1., shall acknowledge liability for |
1947 | any additional retirement contributions and interest required if |
1948 | the participant fails to timely terminate employment, and is |
1949 | shall be subject to the adjustment required in sub-subparagraph |
1950 | (c)5.d. |
1951 | 6. Effective July 1, 2001, for instructional personnel as |
1952 | defined in s. 1012.01(2), election to participate in the DROP |
1953 | may shall be made at any time following the date on which the |
1954 | member first reaches normal retirement date. The member shall |
1955 | advise his or her employer and the division in writing of the |
1956 | date on which DROP begins the Deferred Retirement Option Program |
1957 | shall begin. When establishing eligibility of the member to |
1958 | participate in the DROP for the 60-month or, with respect to |
1959 | members who are instructional personnel employed by the Florida |
1960 | School for the Deaf and the Blind and who have received |
1961 | authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Florida School for |
1962 | the Deaf and the Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60 |
1963 | months, or who are instructional personnel as defined in s. |
1964 | 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in grades K-12 and who have received |
1965 | authorization by the district school superintendent to |
1966 | participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, the 96-month maximum |
1967 | participation period, as provided in sub-subparagraph (b)(1)a. |
1968 | subparagraph (b)1., the member may elect to include or exclude |
1969 | any optional service credit purchased by the member from the |
1970 | total service used to establish the normal retirement date. A |
1971 | member who has with dual normal retirement dates is shall be |
1972 | eligible to elect to participate in either class. |
1973 | (b) Participation in the DROP.-- |
1974 | 1.a. Except as provided in sub-subparagraph b., an |
1975 | eligible member may elect to participate in the DROP for a |
1976 | period not to exceed a maximum of 60 calendar months except as |
1977 | provided in subparagraph b. or, with respect to |
1978 | b. Members who are instructional personnel employed by the |
1979 | Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and who are authorized |
1980 | have received authorization by the Board of Trustees of the |
1981 | Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind to participate in the |
1982 | DROP beyond 60 months, or who are instructional personnel as |
1983 | defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in grades K-12 and who are |
1984 | authorized have received authorization by the district school |
1985 | superintendent to participate in the DROP beyond 60 calendar |
1986 | months, or who are instructional personnel, as defined in s. |
1987 | 1012.01(2)(a)-(d), employed by a developmental research school |
1988 | and who are authorized by the school's principal, to participate |
1989 | in DROP beyond the original 60-month period, for up to 36 96 |
1990 | calendar months immediately following the DROP termination date |
1991 | elected for participation in sub-subparagraph a. |
1992 | c. Special Risk Class members who are employed as law |
1993 | enforcement officers, correctional officers, or community-based |
1994 | correctional probation officers, as described in s. 121.0515(2), |
1995 | who have a rank or the equivalent rank of captain or below, and |
1996 | who are currently participating in DROP for up to 60 months, may |
1997 | participate for an additional 36 calendar months. However, in |
1998 | order to participate the member must, before beginning the |
1999 | additional 36 months, receive authorization from the member's |
2000 | employer to participate in DROP beyond 60 months and pass the |
2001 | same physical examination required for new officers under s. |
2002 | 943.13(6) and provide an accompanying statement from the |
2003 | officer's examining physician, physician assistant, or certified |
2004 | advanced registered nurse practitioner that the officer is |
2005 | capable of performing the essential functions of his or her |
2006 | duties as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or |
2007 | community-based correctional probation officer. The member's |
2008 | rank at the time of entering DROP shall be used for determining |
2009 | eligibility for the additional 36 calendar months of DROP date |
2010 | on which the member first reaches his or her normal retirement |
2011 | date or the date to which he or she is eligible to defer his or |
2012 | her election to participate as provided in subparagraph (a)2. |
2013 | However, a member who has reached normal retirement date prior |
2014 | to the effective date of the DROP shall be eligible to |
2015 | participate in the DROP for a period of time not to exceed 60 |
2016 | calendar months or, with respect to members who are |
2017 | instructional personnel employed by the Florida School for the |
2018 | Deaf and the Blind and who have received authorization by the |
2019 | Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the |
2020 | Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, or who are |
2021 | instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in |
2022 | grades K-12 and who have received authorization by the district |
2023 | school superintendent to participate in the DROP beyond 60 |
2024 | calendar months, 96 calendar months immediately following the |
2025 | effective date of the DROP, except a member of the Special Risk |
2026 | Class who has reached normal retirement date prior to the |
2027 | effective date of the DROP and whose total accrued value exceeds |
2028 | 75 percent of average final compensation as of his or her |
2029 | effective date of retirement shall be eligible to participate in |
2030 | the DROP for no more than 36 calendar months immediately |
2031 | following the effective date of the DROP. |
2032 | 2. Upon deciding to participate in the DROP, the member |
2033 | shall submit, on forms required by the division: |
2034 | a. A written election to participate in the DROP; |
2035 | b. Selection of the DROP participation and termination |
2036 | dates, which satisfy the limitations stated in paragraph (a) and |
2037 | subparagraph 1. The Such termination date must shall be in a |
2038 | binding letter of resignation to with the employer, establishing |
2039 | a deferred termination date. The member may change the |
2040 | termination date within the limitations of subparagraph 1., but |
2041 | only with the written approval of the his or her employer; |
2042 | c. A properly completed DROP application for service |
2043 | retirement as provided in this section; and |
2044 | d. Any other information required by the division. |
2045 | 3. The DROP participant is shall be a retiree under the |
2046 | Florida Retirement System for all purposes, except for paragraph |
2047 | (5)(f) and subsection (9) and ss. 112.3173, 112.363, 121.053, |
2048 | and 121.122. DROP participation is final and cannot be canceled |
2049 | by the participant after the first payment is credited during |
2050 | the DROP participation period. However, participation in the |
2051 | DROP does not alter the participant's employment status and the |
2052 | member is such employee shall not be deemed retired from |
2053 | employment until his or her deferred resignation is effective |
2054 | and termination occurs as provided in s. 121.021(39). |
2055 | 4. Elected officers are shall be eligible to participate |
2056 | in the DROP subject to the following: |
2057 | a. An elected officer who reaches normal retirement date |
2058 | during a term of office may defer the election to participate in |
2059 | the DROP until the next succeeding term in that office. An Such |
2060 | elected officer who exercises this option may participate in the |
2061 | DROP for up to 60 calendar months or a period of no longer than |
2062 | the such succeeding term of office, whichever is less. |
2063 | b. An elected or a nonelected participant may run for a |
2064 | term of office while participating in DROP and, if elected, |
2065 | extend the DROP termination date accordingly, except, however, |
2066 | if such additional term of office exceeds the 60-month |
2067 | limitation established in subparagraph 1., and the officer does |
2068 | not resign from office within such 60-month limitation, the |
2069 | retirement and the participant's DROP is shall be null and void |
2070 | as provided in sub-subparagraph (c)5.d. |
2071 | c.(I) For DROP participation ending before July 1, 2009, |
2072 | an elected officer who is dually employed and elects to |
2073 | participate in DROP must shall be required to satisfy the |
2074 | definition of termination within the original 60-month period or |
2075 | maximum participation or, with respect to members who are |
2076 | instructional personnel employed by the Florida School for the |
2077 | Deaf and the Blind and who have received authorization by the |
2078 | Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the |
2079 | Blind to participate in the DROP beyond 60 months, or who are |
2080 | instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d) in |
2081 | grades K-12 and who have received authorization by the district |
2082 | school superintendent to participate in the DROP beyond 60 |
2083 | months, the 96-month limitation period as provided in |
2084 | subparagraph 1. for the nonelected position and may continue |
2085 | employment as an elected officer as provided in s. 121.053. The |
2086 | elected officer shall will be enrolled as a renewed member in |
2087 | the Elected Officers' Class or the Regular Class, as provided in |
2088 | ss. 121.053 and 121.122, on the first day of the month after |
2089 | termination of employment in the nonelected position and |
2090 | termination of DROP. Distribution of the DROP benefits shall be |
2091 | made as provided in paragraph (c). |
2092 | (II) For DROP participation ending on or after July 1, |
2093 | 2009, an elected officer who is dually employed and elects to |
2094 | participate in DROP must satisfy the definition of termination |
2095 | in s. 121.021(39) within the original 60-month period or maximum |
2096 | period as provided in subparagraph 1. |
2097 | (c) Benefits payable under the DROP.-- |
2098 | 1. Effective on with the date of DROP participation, the |
2099 | member's initial normal monthly benefit, including creditable |
2100 | service, optional form of payment, and average final |
2101 | compensation, and the effective date of retirement are shall be |
2102 | fixed. The beneficiary established under the Florida Retirement |
2103 | System shall be the beneficiary eligible to receive any DROP |
2104 | benefits payable if the DROP participant dies prior to the |
2105 | completion of the period of DROP participation. If In the event |
2106 | a joint annuitant predeceases the member, the member may name a |
2107 | beneficiary to receive accumulated DROP benefits payable. The |
2108 | Such retirement benefit, the annual cost of living adjustments |
2109 | provided in s. 121.101, and interest shall accrue monthly in the |
2110 | Florida Retirement System Trust Fund. The Such interest shall |
2111 | accrue at an effective annual rate of 6.5 percent compounded |
2112 | monthly, on the prior month's accumulated ending balance, up to |
2113 | the month of termination or death. |
2114 | 2. Each employee who elects to participate in the DROP may |
2115 | shall be allowed to elect to receive a lump-sum payment for |
2116 | accrued annual leave earned in accordance with agency policy |
2117 | upon beginning participation in the DROP. The Such accumulated |
2118 | leave payment certified to the division upon commencement of |
2119 | DROP shall be included in the calculation of the member's |
2120 | average final compensation. The employee electing the such lump- |
2121 | sum payment is upon beginning participation in DROP will not be |
2122 | eligible to receive a second lump-sum payment upon termination, |
2123 | except to the extent the employee has earned additional annual |
2124 | leave which, combined with the original payment, does not exceed |
2125 | the maximum lump-sum payment allowed by the employing agency's |
2126 | policy or rules. An Such early lump-sum payment shall be based |
2127 | on the hourly wage of the employee at the time he or she begins |
2128 | participation in the DROP. If the member elects to wait and |
2129 | receive a such lump-sum payment upon termination of DROP and |
2130 | termination of employment with the employer, any accumulated |
2131 | leave payment made at that time may not cannot be included in |
2132 | the member's retirement benefit, which was determined and fixed |
2133 | by law when the employee elected to participate in the DROP. |
2134 | 3. The effective date of DROP participation and the |
2135 | effective date of retirement of a DROP participant shall be the |
2136 | first day of the month selected by the member to begin |
2137 | participation in the DROP, provided such date is properly |
2138 | established, with the written confirmation of the employer, and |
2139 | the approval of the division, on forms required by the division. |
2140 | 4. Normal retirement benefits and any interest thereon |
2141 | shall continue to accrue in the DROP until the established |
2142 | termination date of the DROP, or until the participant |
2143 | terminates employment or dies prior to such date. Although |
2144 | individual DROP accounts shall not be established, a separate |
2145 | accounting of each participant's accrued benefits under the DROP |
2146 | shall be calculated and provided to participants. |
2147 | 5. At the conclusion of the participant's DROP, the |
2148 | division shall distribute the participant's total accumulated |
2149 | DROP benefits, subject to the following provisions: |
2150 | a. The division shall receive verification by the |
2151 | participant's employer or employers that the such participant |
2152 | has terminated employment as provided in s. 121.021(39)(b). |
2153 | b. The terminated DROP participant or, if deceased, the |
2154 | such participant's named beneficiary, shall elect on forms |
2155 | provided by the division to receive payment of the DROP benefits |
2156 | in accordance with one of the options listed below. If For a |
2157 | participant or beneficiary who fails to elect a method of |
2158 | payment within 60 days of termination of the DROP, the division |
2159 | shall will pay a lump sum as provided in sub-sub-subparagraph |
2160 | (I). |
2161 | (I) Lump sum.--All accrued DROP benefits, plus interest, |
2162 | less withholding taxes remitted to the Internal Revenue Service, |
2163 | shall be paid to the DROP participant or surviving beneficiary. |
2164 | (II) Direct rollover.--All accrued DROP benefits, plus |
2165 | interest, shall be paid from the DROP directly to the custodian |
2166 | of an eligible retirement plan as defined in s. 402(c)(8)(B) of |
2167 | the Internal Revenue Code. However, in the case of an eligible |
2168 | rollover distribution to the surviving spouse of a deceased |
2169 | participant, an eligible retirement plan is an individual |
2170 | retirement account or an individual retirement annuity as |
2171 | described in s. 402(c)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
2172 | (III) Partial lump sum.--A portion of the accrued DROP |
2173 | benefits shall be paid to the DROP participant or surviving |
2174 | spouse, less withholding taxes remitted to the Internal Revenue |
2175 | Service, and the remaining DROP benefits shall be transferred |
2176 | directly to the custodian of an eligible retirement plan as |
2177 | defined in s. 402(c)(8)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
2178 | However, in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to the |
2179 | surviving spouse of a deceased participant, an eligible |
2180 | retirement plan is an individual retirement account or an |
2181 | individual retirement annuity as described in s. 402(c)(9) of |
2182 | the Internal Revenue Code. The proportions shall be specified by |
2183 | the DROP participant or surviving beneficiary. |
2184 | c. The form of payment selected by the DROP participant or |
2185 | surviving beneficiary must comply complies with the minimum |
2186 | distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. |
2187 | d. A DROP participant who fails to terminate employment as |
2188 | defined in s. 121.021(39)(b) shall be deemed as not to be |
2189 | retired, and the DROP election is shall be null and void. |
2190 | Florida Retirement System membership shall be reestablished |
2191 | retroactively to the date of the commencement of the DROP, and |
2192 | each employer with whom the participant continues employment |
2193 | must shall be required to pay to the Florida Retirement System |
2194 | Trust Fund the difference between the DROP contributions paid in |
2195 | paragraph (i) and the contributions required for the applicable |
2196 | Florida Retirement System class of membership during the period |
2197 | the member participated in the DROP, plus 6.5 percent interest |
2198 | compounded annually. |
2199 | 6. The retirement benefits of any DROP participant who |
2200 | meets the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39)(b), but is |
2201 | in violation of the reemployment provisions as provided in |
2202 | subsection (9), shall be suspended during those months in which |
2203 | the member is in violation. Any member employed in violation of |
2204 | this subparagraph and any employing agency that knowingly |
2205 | employs or appoints such member without notifying the Division |
2206 | of Retirement to suspend retirement benefits are jointly and |
2207 | severally liable for any benefits paid during the reemployment |
2208 | limitation period. To avoid liability, the employing agency must |
2209 | have a written statement from the retiree that he or she is not |
2210 | retired from a state-administered retirement system. Any |
2211 | retirement benefits received by a retired member while employed |
2212 | in violation of the reemployment limitations during the first 12 |
2213 | months of retirement must be repaid to the Florida Retirement |
2214 | System Trust Fund, and his or her retirement benefits shall |
2215 | remain suspended until payment is made. Benefits suspended |
2216 | beyond the end of the retired member's first 12 calendar months |
2217 | after meeting the definition of termination in s. 121.021(39)(b) |
2218 | shall apply toward repayment of benefits received in violation |
2219 | of the reemployment limitations. |
2220 | 7.6. The accrued benefits of any DROP participant, and any |
2221 | contributions accumulated under the such program, are shall not |
2222 | be subject to assignment, execution, attachment, or to any legal |
2223 | process whatsoever, except for qualified domestic relations |
2224 | orders by a court of competent jurisdiction, income deduction |
2225 | orders as provided in s. 61.1301, and federal income tax levies. |
2226 | 8.7. DROP participants are shall not be eligible for |
2227 | disability retirement benefits as provided in subsection (4). |
2228 | (d) Death benefits under the DROP.-- |
2229 | 1. Upon the death of a DROP participant, the named |
2230 | beneficiary shall be entitled to apply for and receive the |
2231 | accrued benefits in the DROP as provided in sub-subparagraph |
2232 | (c)5.b. |
2233 | 2. The normal retirement benefit accrued to the DROP |
2234 | during the month of a participant's death shall be the final |
2235 | monthly benefit credited for such DROP participant. |
2236 | 3. Eligibility to participate in the DROP terminates upon |
2237 | death of the participant. If the participant dies on or after |
2238 | the effective date of enrollment in the DROP, but prior to the |
2239 | first monthly benefit being credited to the DROP, Florida |
2240 | Retirement System benefits shall be paid in accordance with |
2241 | subparagraph (7)(c)1. or subparagraph 2. |
2242 | 4. A DROP participants' survivors shall not be eligible to |
2243 | receive Florida Retirement System death benefits as provided in |
2244 | paragraph (7)(d). |
2245 | (e) Cost-of-living adjustment.--On each July 1, the |
2246 | participants' normal retirement benefit shall be increased as |
2247 | provided in s. 121.101. |
2248 | (f) Retiree health insurance subsidy.--DROP participants |
2249 | are not eligible to apply for the retiree health insurance |
2250 | subsidy payments as provided in s. 112.363 until such |
2251 | participants have terminated employment and participation in the |
2252 | DROP. |
2253 | (g) Renewed membership.--DROP participants must meet the |
2254 | definition of termination in s. 121.021(39)(b) and must meet |
2255 | eligibility requirements shall not be eligible for renewed |
2256 | membership in the Florida Retirement System under ss. 121.053 |
2257 | and 121.122 until termination of employment is effectuated as |
2258 | provided in s. 121.021(39)(b). |
2259 | (h) Employment limitation after DROP participation.--Upon |
2260 | satisfying the definition of termination of employment as |
2261 | provided in s. 121.021(39)(b), DROP participants shall be |
2262 | subject to such reemployment limitations as other retirees. |
2263 | Reemployment restrictions applicable to retirees as provided in |
2264 | subsection (9) shall not apply to DROP participants until their |
2265 | employment and participation in the DROP are terminated. |
2266 | (i) Contributions.-- |
2267 | 1. All employers paying the salary of a DROP participant |
2268 | filling a regularly established position shall contribute 8.0 |
2269 | percent of such participant's gross compensation for the period |
2270 | of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, and 11.56 percent of |
2271 | such compensation thereafter, which shall constitute the entire |
2272 | employer DROP contribution with respect to such participant. |
2273 | Such contributions, payable to the System Trust Fund in the same |
2274 | manner as required in s. 121.071, shall be made as appropriate |
2275 | for each pay period and are in addition to contributions |
2276 | required for social security and the Retiree Health Insurance |
2277 | Subsidy Trust Fund. Such employer, social security, and health |
2278 | insurance subsidy contributions are not included in the DROP. |
2279 | 2. The employer shall, in addition to subparagraph 1., |
2280 | also withhold one-half of the entire social security |
2281 | contribution required for the participant. Contributions for |
2282 | social security by each participant and each employer, in the |
2283 | amount required for social security coverage as now or hereafter |
2284 | provided by the federal Social Security Act, shall be in |
2285 | addition to contributions specified in subparagraph 1. |
2286 | 3. All employers paying the salary of a DROP participant |
2287 | filling a regularly established position shall contribute the |
2288 | percent of such participant's gross compensation required in s. |
2289 | 121.071(4), which shall constitute the employer's health |
2290 | insurance subsidy contribution with respect to such participant. |
2291 | Such contributions shall be deposited by the administrator in |
2292 | the Retiree Health Insurance Subsidy Trust Fund. |
2293 | (j) Forfeiture of retirement benefits.--Nothing in this |
2294 | section shall be construed to remove DROP participants from the |
2295 | scope of s. 8(d), Art. II of the State Constitution, s. |
2296 | 112.3173, and paragraph (5)(f). DROP participants who commit a |
2297 | specified felony offense while employed will be subject to |
2298 | forfeiture of all retirement benefits, including DROP benefits, |
2299 | pursuant to those provisions of law. |
2300 | (k) Administration of program.--The division shall make |
2301 | such rules as are necessary for the effective and efficient |
2302 | administration of this subsection. The division shall not be |
2303 | required to advise members of the federal tax consequences of an |
2304 | election related to the DROP but may advise members to seek |
2305 | independent advice. |
2306 | (14) PAYMENT OF BENEFITS.--This subsection applies to the |
2307 | payment of benefits to a payee (retiree or beneficiary) under |
2308 | the Florida Retirement System: |
2309 | (a) Federal income tax shall be withheld in accordance |
2310 | with federal law, unless the payee elects otherwise on Form W- |
2311 | 4P. The division shall prepare and distribute to each recipient |
2312 | of monthly retirement benefits an appropriate income tax form |
2313 | that reflects the recipient's income and federal income tax |
2314 | withheld for the calendar year just ended. |
2315 | (b) Subject to approval by the division in accordance with |
2316 | rule 60S-4.015, Florida Administrative Code, a payee receiving |
2317 | retirement benefits under the Florida Retirement system may also |
2318 | have the following payments deducted from his or her monthly |
2319 | benefit: |
2320 | 1. Premiums for life and health-related insurance policies |
2321 | from approved companies. |
2322 | 2. Life insurance premiums for the State Group Life |
2323 | Insurance Plan, if authorized in writing by the payee and by the |
2324 | department of Management Services. |
2325 | 3. Repayment of overpayments from the Florida Retirement |
2326 | System Trust Fund, the State Employees' Health Insurance Trust |
2327 | Fund, or the State Employees' Life Insurance Trust Fund, upon |
2328 | notification of the payee. |
2329 | 4. Payments to an alternate payee for alimony or, child |
2330 | support pursuant to an income deduction order under s. 61.1301, |
2331 | or division of marital assets pursuant to a qualified domestic |
2332 | relations order under s. 222.21 or an income deduction order |
2333 | under s. 61.1301. |
2334 | 5. Payments to the Internal Revenue Service for federal |
2335 | income tax levies, upon notification of the division by the |
2336 | Internal Revenue Service. |
2337 | (c) A payee must shall notify the division of any change |
2338 | in his or her address. The division may suspend benefit payments |
2339 | to a payee if correspondence sent to the payee's mailing address |
2340 | is returned due to an incorrect address. Benefit payments shall |
2341 | be resumed upon notification to the division of the payee's new |
2342 | address. |
2343 | (d) A payee whose retirement benefits are reduced by the |
2344 | application of maximum benefit limits under s. 415(b) of the |
2345 | Internal Revenue Code, as specified in s. 121.30(5), shall have |
2346 | the portion of his or her calculated benefit in the Florida |
2347 | Retirement System defined benefit plan which exceeds such |
2348 | federal limitation paid through the Florida Retirement System |
2349 | Preservation of Benefits Plan, as provided in s. 121.1001. |
2350 | (e) The division may issue retirement benefits payable for |
2351 | division of marital assets pursuant to a qualified domestic |
2352 | relations order directly to the alternate payee, any court order |
2353 | to the contrary notwithstanding, in order to meet Internal |
2354 | Revenue Code requirements. |
2355 | (f)(e) A No benefit may not be reduced for the purpose of |
2356 | preserving the member's eligibility for a federal program. |
2357 | (g)(f) The division shall adopt rules establishing |
2358 | procedures for determining that the persons to whom benefits are |
2359 | being paid are still living. The division shall suspend the |
2360 | benefits being paid to any payee if when it is unable to contact |
2361 | such payee and to confirm that he or she is still living. |
2362 | Section 10. Section 121.1115, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2363 | to read: |
2364 | 121.1115 Purchase of retirement credit for out-of-state or |
2365 | and federal service.--Effective January 1, 1995, a member of the |
2366 | Florida Retirement System may purchase creditable service for |
2367 | periods of public employment in another state and receive |
2368 | creditable service for such periods of employment. Service with |
2369 | the Federal Government, including any active military service, |
2370 | may be claimed. Upon completion of each year of service earned |
2371 | under the Florida Retirement System, a member may purchase up to |
2372 | 1 year of retirement credit for his or her out-of-state service, |
2373 | subject to the following provisions: |
2374 | (1) LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS.--To receive credit for the |
2375 | out-of-state service: |
2376 | (a) The out-of-state service being claimed must have been: |
2377 | 1. Performed in a position of employment with the state or |
2378 | a political subdivision thereof or with the Federal Government; |
2379 | 2. Covered by a retirement or pension plan provided by the |
2380 | state or political subdivision, or by the Federal Government, as |
2381 | appropriate; and |
2382 | 3. Performed prior to a period of membership in the |
2383 | Florida Retirement System. |
2384 | (b) The member must have completed a minimum of 6 years of |
2385 | creditable service under the Florida Retirement System, |
2386 | excluding out-of-state service and in-state service claimed and |
2387 | purchased under s. 121.1122. |
2388 | (c) Not more than 5 years of creditable service may be |
2389 | claimed for creditable service aggregated under the provisions |
2390 | of this section and s. 121.1122. |
2391 | (d) The out-of-state service credit claimed under this |
2392 | section shall be credited only as service in the Regular Class |
2393 | of membership, and any benefit or pension based thereon is shall |
2394 | be subject to the limitations and restrictions of s. 112.65. |
2395 | (e) The member is not eligible for and may not receive a |
2396 | pension or benefit from a retirement or pension plan based on or |
2397 | including the out-of-state service. Eligibility for or the |
2398 | receipt of contributions to a retirement plan made by the |
2399 | employer on behalf of the employee is considered a benefit. |
2400 | (f)(e) To receive A member shall be eligible to receive |
2401 | service credit for out-of-state service performed after leaving |
2402 | the Florida Retirement System, the member must complete only |
2403 | upon return to membership and completion of at least 1 year of |
2404 | creditable service in the Florida Retirement System following |
2405 | the out-of-state service. |
2406 | (2) COST.--For each year claimed, the member must pay into |
2407 | the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund an amount equal to 20 |
2408 | percent of the member's annual compensation for the first full |
2409 | work year of creditable service earned under the Florida |
2410 | Retirement System, but not less than $12,000, plus interest at |
2411 | 6.5 percent compounded annually from the date of first annual |
2412 | salary earned until full payment is made. The employer may pay |
2413 | all or a portion of the cost of this service credit. |
2414 | Section 11. Subsection (2) of section 121.1122, Florida |
2415 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
2416 | 121.1122 Purchase of retirement credit for in-state public |
2417 | service and in-state service in accredited nonpublic schools and |
2418 | colleges, including charter schools and charter technical career |
2419 | centers.--Effective January 1, 1998, a member of the Florida |
2420 | Retirement System may purchase creditable service for periods of |
2421 | certain public or nonpublic employment performed in this state, |
2422 | as provided in this section. |
2423 | (2) LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS.-- |
2424 | (a) A member is not eligible to receive credit for in- |
2425 | state service under this section until he or she has completed 6 |
2426 | years of creditable service under the Florida Retirement System, |
2427 | excluding service purchased under this section and out-of-state |
2428 | service claimed and purchased under s. 121.1115. |
2429 | (b) A member may not purchase and receive credit for more |
2430 | than 5 years of creditable service aggregated under the |
2431 | provisions of this section and s. 121.1115. |
2432 | (c) Service credit claimed under this section shall be |
2433 | credited only as service in the Regular Class of membership and |
2434 | is shall be subject to the provisions of s. 112.65. |
2435 | (d) Service credit may not be purchased under this section |
2436 | if the member is eligible to receive or is receiving a pension |
2437 | or benefit from a retirement or pension plan based on or |
2438 | including the service. Eligibility for or the receipt of |
2439 | contributions to a retirement plan made by the employer on |
2440 | behalf of the employee is considered a benefit. |
2441 | (e)(d) A member is shall be eligible to receive service |
2442 | credit for in-state service performed after leaving the Florida |
2443 | Retirement System only after upon returning to membership and |
2444 | completing at least 1 year of creditable service in the Florida |
2445 | Retirement System following the in-state service. |
2446 | (f)(e) The service claimed must have been service covered |
2447 | by a retirement or pension plan provided by the employer. |
2448 | Section 12. Section 121.122, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2449 | to read: |
2450 | 121.122 Renewed membership in system.-- |
2451 | (1) Any retiree of a state-administered retirement system |
2452 | who is initially reemployed on or after July 1, 2009, shall not |
2453 | be eligible for renewed membership. |
2454 | (2) Except as provided in s. 121.053, effective July 1, |
2455 | 1991, through June 30, 2009, any retiree of a state-administered |
2456 | retirement system who is initially reemployed employed in a |
2457 | regularly established position with a covered employer shall be |
2458 | enrolled as a compulsory member of the Regular Class of the |
2459 | Florida Retirement System or, effective July 1, 1997, through |
2460 | June 30, 2009, any retiree of a state-administered retirement |
2461 | system who is initially reemployed employed in a position |
2462 | included in the Senior Management Service Class shall be |
2463 | enrolled as a compulsory member of the Senior Management Service |
2464 | Class of the Florida Retirement System as provided in s. |
2465 | 121.055, and shall be entitled to receive an additional |
2466 | retirement benefit, subject to the following conditions: |
2467 | (1)(a) Such member shall resatisfy the age and service |
2468 | requirements as provided in this chapter for initial membership |
2469 | under the system, unless such member elects to participate in |
2470 | the Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program in lieu |
2471 | of the Senior Management Service Class, as provided in s. |
2472 | 121.055(6). |
2473 | (b) Such member shall not be entitled to disability |
2474 | benefits as provided in s. 121.091(4). |
2475 | (c) Such member must meet the reemployment after |
2476 | retirement limitations as provided in s. 121.091(9), as |
2477 | applicable. |
2478 | (3)(2) Upon renewed membership or reemployment of a |
2479 | retiree, the employer of such member shall pay the applicable |
2480 | employer contributions as required by ss. 121.71, 121.74, |
2481 | 121.76, and 112.363 121.055(3) and 121.071(1)(a) and (4). |
2482 | (4)(3) The retiree of a state-administered retirement |
2483 | system who is initially reemployed before July 1, 2009, Such |
2484 | member shall be entitled to purchase additional retirement |
2485 | credit in the Regular Class or the Senior Management Service |
2486 | Class, as applicable, for any postretirement service performed |
2487 | in a regularly established position as follows: |
2488 | (a) For regular class service prior to July 1, 1991, by |
2489 | paying the Regular Class applicable employee and employer |
2490 | contributions for the period being claimed, plus 4 percent |
2491 | interest compounded annually from first year of service claimed |
2492 | until July 1, 1975, and 6.5 percent interest compounded |
2493 | thereafter, until full payment is made to the Florida Retirement |
2494 | System Trust Fund; or |
2495 | (b) For Senior Management Service Class prior to June 1, |
2496 | 1997, as provided in s. 121.055(1)(j). |
2497 |
|
2498 | The contribution for postretirement service between July 1, |
2499 | 1985, and July 1, 1991, for which the reemployed retiree |
2500 | contribution was paid, shall be the difference between such |
2501 | contribution and the total applicable contribution for the |
2502 | period being claimed, plus interest. The employer of such member |
2503 | may pay the applicable employer contribution in lieu of the |
2504 | member. If a member does not wish to claim credit for all of the |
2505 | postretirement service for which he or she is eligible, the |
2506 | service the member claims must be the most recent service. |
2507 | (5)(4) No creditable service for which credit was |
2508 | received, or which remained unclaimed, at retirement may be |
2509 | claimed or applied toward service credit earned following |
2510 | renewed membership. However, for retirees initially reemployed |
2511 | before July 1, 2009, service earned as an elected officer with |
2512 | renewed membership in the Elected Officers' Class may be used in |
2513 | conjunction with creditable service earned under this section, |
2514 | provided the applicable vesting requirements and other existing |
2515 | statutory conditions required by this chapter are met. |
2516 | (6)(5) Notwithstanding any other limitations provided in |
2517 | this section, a participant of the State University System |
2518 | Optional Retirement Program or the Senior Management Service |
2519 | Optional Annuity Program who terminated employment and received |
2520 | a distribution commenced receiving an annuity under the |
2521 | provisions of the optional program, who initially renews |
2522 | membership before July 1, 2009, in the Regular Class as required |
2523 | by this section upon reemployment after retirement, and who had |
2524 | previously earned creditable Florida Retirement System service |
2525 | that was not included in any retirement benefit may include such |
2526 | previous service toward vesting and service credit in the second |
2527 | career benefit provided under renewed membership. |
2528 | (7)(6) Any renewed member who is not receiving the maximum |
2529 | health insurance subsidy provided in s. 112.363 shall be |
2530 | entitled to earn additional credit toward the maximum health |
2531 | insurance subsidy. Any additional subsidy due because of such |
2532 | additional credit shall be received only at the time of payment |
2533 | of the second career retirement benefit. In no case shall the |
2534 | total health insurance subsidy received by a retiree receiving |
2535 | benefits from initial and renewed membership exceed the maximum |
2536 | allowed in s. 112.363. |
2537 | Section 13. Section 121.136, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2538 | to read: |
2539 | 121.136 Annual benefit statement to members.--Beginning |
2540 | January 1, 1993, and Each January thereafter, the department |
2541 | shall provide each active member of the Florida Retirement |
2542 | System with 5 or more years of creditable service an annual |
2543 | statement of benefits which provides. Such statement should |
2544 | provide the member with basic data about the member's retirement |
2545 | account. At a minimum Minimally, it must shall include the |
2546 | member's retirement plan, accrued service credit the amount of |
2547 | funds on deposit in the retirement account, and an estimate of |
2548 | retirement benefits. |
2549 | Section 14. Section 121.1905, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2550 | to read: |
2551 | 121.1905 Division of Retirement; creation.-- |
2552 | (1) There is created the Division of Retirement within the |
2553 | Department of Management Services. |
2554 | (2) The mission of the Division of Retirement is to |
2555 | provide quality and cost-effective retirement services as |
2556 | measured by member satisfaction and by comparison with |
2557 | administrative costs of comparable retirement systems. |
2558 | Section 15. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section |
2559 | 121.23, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2560 | 121.23 Disability retirement and special risk membership |
2561 | applications; Retirement Commission; powers and duties; judicial |
2562 | review.--The provisions of this section apply to all proceedings |
2563 | in which the administrator has made a written final decision on |
2564 | the merits respecting applications for disability retirement, |
2565 | reexamination of retired members receiving disability benefits, |
2566 | applications for special risk membership, and reexamination of |
2567 | special risk members in the Florida Retirement System. The |
2568 | jurisdiction of the State Retirement Commission under this |
2569 | section shall be limited to written final decisions of the |
2570 | administrator on the merits. |
2571 | (2) A member shall be entitled to a hearing before the |
2572 | State Retirement Commission pursuant to ss. 120.569 and |
2573 | 120.57(1) on the merits of any written adverse decision of the |
2574 | administrator, if he or she files with the commission a written |
2575 | request for such hearing within 21 days after receipt of such |
2576 | written decision from the administrator. For the purpose of such |
2577 | hearings, the commission shall be an "agency head" as defined by |
2578 | s. 120.52. |
2579 | (a) The commission may shall have the authority to issue |
2580 | orders as a result of the a hearing that are shall be binding on |
2581 | all parties to the dispute and. The commission may order any |
2582 | action that it deems appropriate. Any disability retirement |
2583 | order of the commission issued pursuant to this subsection which |
2584 | sustains the application of the member may include an amount, to |
2585 | be determined by the commission, for reasonable attorney's fees |
2586 | and taxable costs, which shall be calculated in accordance with |
2587 | the statewide uniform guidelines for taxation of costs in civil |
2588 | actions. The amount of the attorney's fee may not exceed 50 |
2589 | percent of the initial yearly benefit awarded under s. |
2590 | 121.091(4). In cases involving disability retirement, the State |
2591 | Retirement commission shall require the member to present |
2592 | competent substantial medical evidence and meet the requirements |
2593 | of s. 121.091(4)(c)2. and 3., and may require vocational |
2594 | evidence, before awarding disability retirement benefits. |
2595 | Section 16. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section |
2596 | 121.24, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2597 | 121.24 Conduct of commission business; legal and other |
2598 | assistance; compensation.-- |
2599 | (1) The commission shall conduct its business within the |
2600 | following guidelines: |
2601 | (a) For purposes of hearing appeals under s. 121.23, the |
2602 | commission may meet in panels consisting of no not fewer than |
2603 | three members. For the purpose of meeting in these panels, a |
2604 | quorum shall be not fewer than two members. For all other |
2605 | purposes, A quorum shall consist of three members. The |
2606 | concurring vote of a majority of the members present is shall be |
2607 | required to reach a decision, issue orders, and conduct the |
2608 | business of the commission. |
2609 | Section 17. Paragraph (e) of subsection (5) of section |
2610 | 121.35, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2611 | 121.35 Optional retirement program for the State |
2612 | University System.-- |
2613 | (5) BENEFITS.-- |
2614 | (e) A participant who chooses to receive his or her |
2615 | benefits upon termination of employment as defined in s. |
2616 | 121.021(39) shall have responsibility to notify the provider |
2617 | company of the date on which he or she wishes benefits funded by |
2618 | employer contributions to begin. Benefits may be deferred until |
2619 | such time as the participant chooses to make such application. |
2620 | Section 18. Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of section |
2621 | 121.4501, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2622 | 121.4501 Public Employee Optional Retirement Program.-- |
2623 | (2) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this part, the term: |
2624 | (f) "Eligible employee" means an officer or employee, as |
2625 | defined in s. 121.021(11), who: |
2626 | 1. Is a member of, or is eligible for membership in, the |
2627 | Florida Retirement System, including any renewed member of the |
2628 | Florida Retirement System initially enrolled before July 1, |
2629 | 2009; or |
2630 | 2. Participates in, or is eligible to participate in, the |
2631 | Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program as |
2632 | established under s. 121.055(6), the State Community College |
2633 | Optional Retirement Program as established under s. |
2634 | 121.051(2)(c), or the State University System Optional |
2635 | Retirement Program established under s. 121.35. |
2636 |
|
2637 | The term does not include any member participating in the |
2638 | Deferred Retirement Option Program established under s. |
2639 | 121.091(13), a retiree of a state-administered retirement system |
2640 | initially reemployed on or after July 1, 2009, or a mandatory |
2641 | participant of the State University System Optional Retirement |
2642 | Program established under s. 121.35. |
2643 | Section 19. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section |
2644 | 121.591, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2645 | 121.591 Benefits payable under the Public Employee |
2646 | Optional Retirement Program of the Florida Retirement |
2647 | System.--Benefits may not be paid under this section unless the |
2648 | member has terminated employment as provided in s. |
2649 | 121.021(39)(a) or is deceased and a proper application has been |
2650 | filed in the manner prescribed by the state board or the |
2651 | department. The state board or department, as appropriate, may |
2652 | cancel an application for retirement benefits when the member or |
2653 | beneficiary fails to timely provide the information and |
2654 | documents required by this chapter and the rules of the state |
2655 | board and department. In accordance with their respective |
2656 | responsibilities as provided herein, the State Board of |
2657 | Administration and the Department of Management Services shall |
2658 | adopt rules establishing procedures for application for |
2659 | retirement benefits and for the cancellation of such application |
2660 | when the required information or documents are not received. The |
2661 | State Board of Administration and the Department of Management |
2662 | Services, as appropriate, are authorized to cash out a de |
2663 | minimis account of a participant who has been terminated from |
2664 | Florida Retirement System covered employment for a minimum of 6 |
2665 | calendar months. A de minimis account is an account containing |
2666 | employer contributions and accumulated earnings of not more than |
2667 | $5,000 made under the provisions of this chapter. Such cash-out |
2668 | must either be a complete lump-sum liquidation of the account |
2669 | balance, subject to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, |
2670 | or a lump-sum direct rollover distribution paid directly to the |
2671 | custodian of an eligible retirement plan, as defined by the |
2672 | Internal Revenue Code, on behalf of the participant. If any |
2673 | financial instrument issued for the payment of retirement |
2674 | benefits under this section is not presented for payment within |
2675 | 180 days after the last day of the month in which it was |
2676 | originally issued, the third-party administrator or other duly |
2677 | authorized agent of the State Board of Administration shall |
2678 | cancel the instrument and credit the amount of the instrument to |
2679 | the suspense account of the Public Employee Optional Retirement |
2680 | Program Trust Fund authorized under s. 121.4501(6). Any such |
2681 | amounts transferred to the suspense account are payable upon a |
2682 | proper application, not to include earnings thereon, as provided |
2683 | in this section, within 10 years after the last day of the month |
2684 | in which the instrument was originally issued, after which time |
2685 | such amounts and any earnings thereon shall be forfeited. Any |
2686 | such forfeited amounts are assets of the Public Employee |
2687 | Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund and are not subject to |
2688 | the provisions of chapter 717. |
2689 | (1) NORMAL BENEFITS.--Under the Public Employee Optional |
2690 | Retirement Program: |
2691 | (b) If a participant elects to receive his or her benefits |
2692 | upon termination of employment as defined in s. 121.021(39), the |
2693 | participant must submit a written application or an equivalent |
2694 | form to the third-party administrator indicating his or her |
2695 | preferred distribution date and selecting an authorized method |
2696 | of distribution as provided in paragraph (c). The participant |
2697 | may defer receipt of benefits until he or she chooses to make |
2698 | such application, subject to federal requirements. |
2699 | Section 20. Subsection (8) of section 1012.33, Florida |
2700 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
2701 | 1012.33 Contracts with instructional staff, supervisors, |
2702 | and school principals.-- |
2703 | (8) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a retired |
2704 | any member who has retired may interrupt retirement and be |
2705 | reemployed in any public school. A Any member so reemployed by |
2706 | the same district from which he or she retired may be employed |
2707 | on a probationary contractual basis as provided in subsection |
2708 | (1); however, no regular retirement employee shall be eligible |
2709 | to renew membership under a retirement system created by chapter |
2710 | 121 or chapter 238. |
2711 | Section 21. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section |
2712 | 121.35, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (g) is added |
2713 | to that subsection, to read: |
2714 | 121.35 Optional retirement program for the State |
2715 | University System.-- |
2716 | (4) CONTRIBUTIONS.-- |
2717 | (a) Through June 30, 2001, each employer shall contribute |
2718 | on behalf of each participant in the optional retirement program |
2719 | an amount equal to the normal cost portion of the employer |
2720 | retirement contribution which would be required if the |
2721 | participant were a regular member of the Florida Retirement |
2722 | System defined benefit program, plus the portion of the |
2723 | contribution rate required in s. 112.363(8) that would otherwise |
2724 | be assigned to the Retiree Health Insurance Subsidy Trust Fund. |
2725 | Effective July 1, 2001, each employer shall contribute on behalf |
2726 | of each participant in the optional program an amount equal to |
2727 | 10.43 percent of the participant's gross monthly compensation. |
2728 | The department shall deduct an amount approved by the |
2729 | Legislature to provide for the administration of this program. |
2730 | The payment of the contributions to the optional program which |
2731 | is required by this paragraph for each participant shall be made |
2732 | by the employer to the department, which shall forward the |
2733 | contributions to the designated company or companies contracting |
2734 | for payment of benefits for the participant under the program. |
2735 | However, such contributions paid on behalf of an employee |
2736 | described in paragraph (3)(c) shall not be forwarded to a |
2737 | company and shall not begin to accrue interest until the |
2738 | employee has executed a an annuity contract and notified the |
2739 | department. |
2740 | (g) Effective January 1, 2009, for purposes of paragraph |
2741 | (a) and notwithstanding s. 121.021(22)(b)1., the term |
2742 | "participant's gross monthly compensation" includes salary |
2743 | payments made to eligible clinical faculty from a state |
2744 | university using funds provided by a faculty practice plan |
2745 | authorized by the Board of Governors of the State University |
2746 | System if: |
2747 | 1. There is not any employer contribution from the state |
2748 | university to any other retirement program with respect to such |
2749 | salary payments; and |
2750 | 2. The employer contribution on behalf of the participant |
2751 | in the optional retirement program with respect to such salary |
2752 | payments is made using funds provided by the faculty practice |
2753 | plan. |
2754 | Section 22. Section 121.355, Florida Statutes, is created |
2755 | to read: |
2756 | 121.355 Community College Optional Retirement Program and |
2757 | State University System Optional Retirement Program member |
2758 | transfer.--Effective July 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009, an |
2759 | employee who is a former participant in the Community College |
2760 | Optional Retirement Program or the State University System |
2761 | Optional Retirement Program and present mandatory participant in |
2762 | the Florida Retirement System defined benefit plan may receive |
2763 | service credit equal to his or her years of service under the |
2764 | Community College Optional Retirement Program or the State |
2765 | University System Optional Retirement Program under the |
2766 | following conditions: |
2767 | (1) The cost for such credit shall be an amount |
2768 | representing the actuarial accrued liability for the affected |
2769 | period of service. The cost shall be calculated using the |
2770 | discount rate and other relevant actuarial assumptions that were |
2771 | used to value the Florida Retirement System defined benefit plan |
2772 | liabilities in the most recent actuarial valuation. The |
2773 | calculation shall include any service already maintained under |
2774 | the defined benefit plan in addition to the years under the |
2775 | Community College Optional Retirement Program or the State |
2776 | University System Optional Retirement Program. The actuarial |
2777 | accrued liability of any service already maintained under the |
2778 | defined benefit plan shall be applied as a credit to total cost |
2779 | resulting from the calculation. The division shall ensure that |
2780 | the transfer sum is prepared using a formula and methodology |
2781 | certified by an enrolled actuary. |
2782 | (2) The employee must transfer from his or her Community |
2783 | College Optional Retirement Program account or State University |
2784 | System Optional Retirement Program account, subject to the terms |
2785 | of the applicable optional retirement program contract, and from |
2786 | other employee moneys as necessary, a sum representing the |
2787 | actuarial accrued liability immediately following the time of |
2788 | such movement, determined assuming that attained service equals |
2789 | the sum of service in the defined benefit program and service in |
2790 | the Community College Optional Retirement Program or State |
2791 | University System Optional Retirement Program. |
2792 | (3) The employee may not receive service credit for a |
2793 | period of mandatory participation in the State University |
2794 | Optional Retirement Program or for a period for which a |
2795 | distribution was received from the Community College Optional |
2796 | Retirement Program or State University System Optional |
2797 | Retirement Program. |
2798 | Section 23. Sections 121.093, 121.094, and 121.45, Florida |
2799 | Statutes, are repealed. |
2800 | Section 24. The Legislature finds that a proper and |
2801 | legitimate state purpose is served when employees and retirees |
2802 | of the state and its political subdivisions, as well as the |
2803 | dependents, survivors, and beneficiaries of such employees and |
2804 | retiree, are extended the basic protections afforded by |
2805 | governmental retirement systems that provide fair and adequate |
2806 | benefits and that are managed, administered, and funded in an |
2807 | actuarially sound manner as required by s. 14, Art. X of the |
2808 | State Constitution, and part VII of chapter 112, Florida |
2809 | Statutes. Therefore, the Legislature determines and declares |
2810 | that the amendment of s. 121.091, Florida Statutes, by this act |
2811 | fulfills an important state interest. |
2812 | Section 25. This act shall take effect January 1, 2009. |
2813 |
|
2814 | ----------------------------------------------------- |
2815 | T I T L E A M E N D M E N T |
2816 | Remove the entire title and insert: |
2817 | A bill to be entitled |
2818 | An act relating to retirement; amending s. 121.021, F.S.; |
2819 | redefining the terms "employer," "officer or employee," |
2820 | "past service," "compensation," "normal retirement date," |
2821 | "regularly established position," "termination," and |
2822 | "temporary position"; defining the terms "state board" and |
2823 | "trustees"; amending s. 121.031, F.S.; requiring |
2824 | promotional materials that refer to the Florida Retirement |
2825 | System to include a disclaimer unless approval is obtained |
2826 | from the Department of Management Services; amending s. |
2827 | 121.051, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; revising |
2828 | provisions relating to participation in the system; |
2829 | requiring that a person appointed to a faculty position at |
2830 | a state university having a faculty practice plan |
2831 | participate in the optional retirement program of the |
2832 | State University System rather than the Florida Retirement |
2833 | System; providing definitions; excluding the participation |
2834 | of entities under a lease agreement; excluding the |
2835 | participation of prisoners and inmates in the system; |
2836 | amending s. 121.052, F.S.; changing the dates for when a |
2837 | governing body of a municipality or special district may |
2838 | elect to designate its elected positions for inclusion in |
2839 | the Elected Officers' Class; amending s. 121.053, F.S.; |
2840 | revising provisions relating to participation in the |
2841 | Elected Officers' Class for retired members; amending s. |
2842 | 121.055, F.S.; revising provisions relating to |
2843 | participation in the Senior Management Service Class; |
2844 | amending s. 121.071, F.S.; expanding the mechanisms for |
2845 | employees to pay contributions to the system; amending s. |
2846 | 121.081, F.S.; revising provisions relating to receiving |
2847 | credit for past or prior service; prohibiting a member |
2848 | from receiving credit for service covered and reported by |
2849 | both a public employer and a private employer; amending s. |
2850 | 121.091, F.S.; revising provisions relating to retirement |
2851 | benefits; revising limitations on the payment of |
2852 | retirement benefits for certain retired persons who are |
2853 | reemployed by an employer participating in a state- |
2854 | administered retirement system; prohibiting certain |
2855 | members of the Special Risk Class from being reemployed or |
2856 | contracting with the same employing agency from which the |
2857 | member retired; deleting a restriction on the reemployment |
2858 | of certain personnel by the Florida School for the Deaf |
2859 | and the Blind; extending the period of time during which |
2860 | certain Special Risk Class members may participate in the |
2861 | Florida Retirement System Deferred Retirement Option |
2862 | Program; extending the period of time that instructional |
2863 | personnel employed by a developmental research school may |
2864 | participate in the Deferred Retirement Option Program; |
2865 | defining the term "member" for purposes of reporting to |
2866 | the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker |
2867 | of the House of Representatives those members who have |
2868 | been reemployed after retirement; requiring employers to |
2869 | certify to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and |
2870 | the Speaker of the House of Representatives information |
2871 | regarding those employers who reemployed members during |
2872 | months 2 through 12 of retirement; prohibiting certain |
2873 | persons holding public office from electing to retire |
2874 | while continuing employment in that elected office; |
2875 | deleting a provision authorizing an employing agency to |
2876 | reemploy a retired member as a firefighter or paramedic |
2877 | after a specified period; providing certain limitations |
2878 | for DROP participants; clarifying that DROP participation |
2879 | cannot be canceled; authorizing the Division of Retirement |
2880 | to issue benefits directly to the alternate payee pursuant |
2881 | to an income deduction order or a qualified domestic |
2882 | relations order; providing for the suspension of DROP |
2883 | benefits to a participant who is reemployed; deleting |
2884 | obsolete provisions; authorizing the Division of |
2885 | Retirement to issue benefits pursuant to a qualified |
2886 | domestic relations order directly to the alternate payee; |
2887 | amending s. 121.1115, F.S.; revising provisions relating |
2888 | to receiving retirement credit for out-of-state service; |
2889 | providing that a member is not eligible for and may not |
2890 | receive a benefit based on that service; amending s. |
2891 | 121.1122, F.S.; revising provisions relating to receiving |
2892 | retirement credit for in-state service; providing that a |
2893 | member may not be eligible for or receiving a benefit |
2894 | based on service; amending s. 121.122, F.S.; providing |
2895 | that certain persons are ineligible for renewed membership |
2896 | in the Florida Retirement System; amending s. 121.136, |
2897 | F.S.; revising provisions relating to the annual statement |
2898 | of benefits provided to certain active members of the |
2899 | Florida Retirement System; amending s. 121.1905, F.S.; |
2900 | deleting provision describing the mission of the Division |
2901 | of Retirement; amending s. 121.23, F.S.; requiring the |
2902 | State Retirement Commission to meet the same requirements |
2903 | used by the Secretary of Management Services before |
2904 | approving a disability retirement benefit; amending s. |
2905 | 121.24, F.S.; requiring a quorum of three members for all |
2906 | appeal hearings held by the State Retirement Commission; |
2907 | amending s. 1012.33, F.S.; deleting the provision |
2908 | preventing persons who have retired from the public school |
2909 | system from renewing membership in the Florida Retirement |
2910 | System upon reemployment by the school system; amending s. |
2911 | 121.35, F.S.; requiring the participating employee in the |
2912 | optional retirement program to execute a contract, not |
2913 | just an annuity contract, with a designated company in |
2914 | order for employee contributions to be forwarded to the |
2915 | company and for interest to accrue; defining the term |
2916 | "participant's gross monthly compensation" for purposes of |
2917 | the optional retirement program for the State University |
2918 | System; providing a cross-reference; creating s. 121.355, |
2919 | F.S.; authorizing certain former participants in the |
2920 | Community College Optional Retirement Program or the State |
2921 | University System Optional Retirement Program and present |
2922 | mandatory participants in the Florida Retirement System to |
2923 | receive a specified amount of service credit under certain |
2924 | conditions; providing a specified time period for the |
2925 | election of such transfer; limiting certain service |
2926 | credit; amending s. 121.4501, F.S.; revising the |
2927 | definition of the term "eligible employee" for purposes of |
2928 | the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program; amending |
2929 | s. 121.591, F.S.; providing a cross-reference; repealing |
2930 | s. 121.093, F.S., relating to instructional personnel |
2931 | reemployment after retirement from the developmental |
2932 | research school or the Florida School for the Deaf and the |
2933 | Blind; repealing s. 121.094, F.S., relating to |
2934 | instructional personnel reemployment after retirement from |
2935 | a charter school; repealing s. 121.45, F.S., relating to |
2936 | interstate compacts relating to pension portability; |
2937 | providing a declaration of important state interest; |
2938 | providing an effective date. |
2939 |
|