1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to the West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund |
3 | of the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County; |
4 | amending chapter 24981 (1947), Laws of Florida, as |
5 | amended; revising the definition of the term "salary"; |
6 | authorizing other fiduciary designees to sign fund drafts; |
7 | clarifying an exception relating to the adoption of |
8 | experience tables and interest rates; providing for the |
9 | adjustment of benefits when changing joint annuitants or |
10 | beneficiaries; removing the requirement for a spouse's |
11 | consent to waive a joint and survivor benefit; providing |
12 | for quarterly adjustment of share accounts; providing an |
13 | exception to an exclusion for disabled members; revising |
14 | provisions relating to the payment of certain death |
15 | benefits; providing for bimonthly refund repayments; |
16 | requiring the board of trustees to identify and report any |
17 | holdings in a scrutinized company; requiring divestiture |
18 | of certain securities within a specified time; limiting |
19 | board liability relating to such divestiture; authorizing |
20 | the withholding of certain retirement funds for certain |
21 | purposes upon request of a retiree; reducing the amount of |
22 | small retirement income that may be paid in a lump sum; |
23 | authorizing certain city police officers to recontribute |
24 | to the fund; revising provisions relating to determination |
25 | of creditable service for members who die or become |
26 | disabled while on active duty military service; providing |
27 | for distribution of the fund in the event of termination |
28 | of the pension plan; providing an effective date. |
29 |
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30 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
31 |
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32 | Section 1. Section 16 of chapter 24981 (1947), Laws of |
33 | Florida, as amended, is amended to read: |
34 | Section 16. West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund.- |
35 | (1) Creation of fund.-There is hereby created and |
36 | established a special fund for the police officers of the City |
37 | of West Palm Beach to be known as the West Palm Beach Police |
38 | Pension Fund. All assets of every description held in the name |
39 | of the West Palm Beach Police Pension and Relief Fund and in the |
40 | name of the West Palm Beach Pension Fund have been and continue |
41 | to be combined. |
42 | (2) Definitions.-The following words or phrases, as used |
43 | in this act, shall have the following meanings, unless a |
44 | different meaning is clearly indicated by the context: |
45 | (a) "Actuarial equivalent value," "actuarial equivalence," |
46 | or "single sum value" means the stated determination using an |
47 | interest rate of 8.25 percent per year and the 1983 Group |
48 | Annuity Mortality Table. |
49 | (b) "Beneficiary" means any person, except a retirant, who |
50 | is entitled to receive a benefit from the West Palm Beach Police |
51 | Pension Fund or the West Palm Beach Police Pension and Relief |
52 | Fund, as applicable. |
53 | (c) "Board of Trustees" or "Board" means the Board of |
54 | Trustees provided for in this act. |
55 | (d) "City" means the City of West Palm Beach, Florida. |
56 | (e) "Department" means the Police Department in the City |
57 | of West Palm Beach. |
58 | (f) "Enrolled actuary" means an actuary who is enrolled |
59 | under Subtitle C of Title III of the Employee Retirement Income |
60 | Security Act of 1974 and who is a member of the Society of |
61 | Actuaries or the American Academy of Actuaries. |
62 | (g) "Final average salary" means the average of the |
63 | monthly salary paid a member in the 3 best years of employment. |
64 | In no event shall any one year, beginning January 1, 2005, |
65 | include more than 400 hours of overtime. Prior to January 1, |
66 | 2005, individual years may include more than 400 hours of |
67 | overtime. |
68 | (h) "Fund" or "Pension Fund" means the West Palm Beach |
69 | Police Pension Fund or the West Palm Beach Pension and Relief |
70 | Fund, as applicable. |
71 | (i) "Member" or "participant" means any person who is |
72 | included in the membership of the Fund in accordance with |
73 | subsection (6). |
74 | (j) "Pension" means a monthly amount payable from the Fund |
75 | throughout the future life of a person, or for a limited period |
76 | of time, as provided in this act. |
77 | (k) "Police officer" means any person who is elected, |
78 | appointed, or employed full time by the City, who is certified |
79 | or required to be certified as a law enforcement officer in |
80 | compliance with section 943.14, Florida Statutes, who is vested |
81 | with authority to bear arms and make arrests, and whose primary |
82 | responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the |
83 | enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of |
84 | the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory |
85 | and command personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, |
86 | the supervision, training, guidance, and management |
87 | responsibilities of full-time law enforcement officers, part- |
88 | time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement |
89 | officers, but does not include part-time law enforcement |
90 | officers or auxiliary law enforcement officers as the same are |
91 | defined in subsections (6) and (8) of section 943.10, Florida |
92 | Statutes. |
93 | (l) "Qualified health professional" means a person duly |
94 | and regularly engaged in the practice of his or her profession |
95 | who holds a professional degree from a university or college and |
96 | has special professional training or skill regarding the |
97 | physical or mental condition, disability, or lack thereof, upon |
98 | which he or she is to present evidence to the Board. |
99 | (m) "Qualified public depository" means any bank or |
100 | savings association organized and existing under the laws of |
101 | Florida and any bank or savings association organized under the |
102 | laws of the United States that has its principal place of |
103 | business, or a branch office, in Florida which is authorized |
104 | under the laws of Florida or the United States to receive |
105 | deposits in Florida; that meets all of the requirements of |
106 | chapter 280, Florida Statutes; and that has been designated by |
107 | the Treasurer of the State of Florida as a qualified public |
108 | depository. |
109 | (n) "Retirant" means any member who retires with a pension |
110 | from the Fund. |
111 | (o) "Retirement" means a member's withdrawal from Police |
112 | Department employment as a police officer with a pension payable |
113 | from the Fund. |
114 | (p) "Salary" means the fixed monthly compensation paid to |
115 | a member; compensation shall include those items as have been |
116 | included as compensation in accordance with past practice. |
117 | However, the term shall not be construed to include lump sum |
118 | payments for accumulated leave. On and after January 1, 2003, |
119 | salary shall mean total cash remuneration paid by the City to a |
120 | police officer for services rendered excluding lump sum payments |
121 | for accumulated leave such as accrued vacation leave, accrued |
122 | sick leave, and accrued personal leave. Effective January 1, |
123 | 2005, overtime hours earned and paid in excess of 400 hours in |
124 | any 26 consecutive pay periods shall be excluded from the |
125 | definition of salary; prior to January 1, 2005, all overtime |
126 | hours earned and paid shall be included in the definition of |
127 | salary and shall not be limited by any cap. This definition of |
128 | compensation shall not include off-duty employment performed for |
129 | vendors other than the City of West Palm Beach per Article 30, |
130 | Pension Plan and Section 5 of the collective bargaining |
131 | agreement between the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent |
132 | Association and the City of West Palm Beach. Beginning with |
133 | salary paid after December 31, 2008, and pursuant to s. |
134 | 414(u)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, "salary" includes |
135 | amounts paid by the City as differential wages to members who |
136 | are absent from employment while in qualified military service. |
137 | (q) "Service" or "service credit" means the total number |
138 | of years, and fractional parts of years, of employment of any |
139 | police officer, omitting intervening years, and fractional parts |
140 | of years, when such police officer was not employed by the City. |
141 | No member shall receive credit for years, or fractional parts of |
142 | years, of service for which the member has withdrawn his or her |
143 | contributions to the Fund. It is further provided that a member |
144 | may voluntarily leave his or her contributions in the Fund for a |
145 | period of 5 years after leaving the employ of the Department, |
146 | pending the possibility of being rehired by the Department, |
147 | without losing credit for the time he or she has participated |
148 | actively as a police officer. Should he or she not be re- |
149 | employed as a police officer with the Department within 5 years, |
150 | his or her contributions shall be returned without interest. In |
151 | determining the aggregate number of years of service of any |
152 | member, years of service for prior police officer or military |
153 | service, as well as intervening military service, may be added, |
154 | provided the member meets the requirements of subsection (35) 35 |
155 | of the Plan. |
156 | (r) The masculine gender includes the feminine and words |
157 | in the singular with respect to persons shall include the plural |
158 | and vice versa. |
159 | (3) Board of Trustees of Police Pension Fund.- |
160 | (a) Board of Trustees created.-There is hereby created a |
161 | Board of Trustees, which shall be solely responsible for |
162 | administering the West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund. The Board |
163 | shall be a legal entity, with the power to bring and defend |
164 | lawsuits of every kind, nature, and description and shall be |
165 | independent of the City to the extent required to accomplish the |
166 | intent, requirements, and responsibilities provided for in this |
167 | act. The Board shall consist of five trustees, as follows: |
168 | 1. Two legal residents of the City, who shall be appointed |
169 | by the City. Each resident trustee shall serve as a trustee for |
170 | a period of 2 years, unless sooner replaced by the City, at |
171 | whose pleasure he or she shall serve, and may succeed himself or |
172 | herself as a trustee. |
173 | 2. Two police officers, who shall be elected by a majority |
174 | of the police officers who are members of the Fund. Elections |
175 | shall be held under such reasonable rules and regulations as the |
176 | Board shall from time to time adopt. Each member-trustee shall |
177 | serve as trustee for a period of 2 years, unless he or she |
178 | sooner ceases to be a police officer in the employ of the |
179 | Department, whereupon the members shall choose his or her |
180 | successor in the same manner as the original appointment. Each |
181 | member-trustee of the Fund may succeed himself or herself as a |
182 | trustee. |
183 | 3. A fifth trustee, who shall be chosen by a majority of |
184 | the other four trustees. This fifth person's name shall be |
185 | submitted to the City, which shall, as a ministerial duty, |
186 | appoint such person to the Board as a fifth trustee. The fifth |
187 | person shall serve as trustee for a period of 2 years, and may |
188 | succeed himself or herself as a trustee. |
189 | (b) Board vacancy; how filled.-In the event a trustee |
190 | provided for in subparagraph (a)2. ceases to be a police officer |
191 | in the employ of the Department, he or she shall be considered |
192 | to have resigned from the Board. In the event a trustee provided |
193 | for in subparagraph (a)2. shall resign, be removed, or become |
194 | ineligible to serve as a trustee, the Board shall, by |
195 | resolution, declare the office of trustee vacated as of the date |
196 | of adoption of said resolution. If such a vacancy occurs in the |
197 | office of trustee within 90 days of the next succeeding election |
198 | for trustee, the vacancy shall be filled at the regular election |
199 | for the next term; otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled for |
200 | the unexpired portion of the term, as provided in subparagraph |
201 | (a)2. In the event a trustee provided for in subparagraph (a)1. |
202 | or subparagraph (a)3. shall resign, be removed, or become |
203 | ineligible to serve as a trustee, the Board shall, by |
204 | resolution, declare the office of trustee vacated as of the date |
205 | of adoption of said resolution. The trustee's successor for the |
206 | unexpired portion of said trustee's term shall be chosen in the |
207 | same manner as an original appointment. |
208 | (c) Board meetings; quorum; procedures.-The Board shall |
209 | hold meetings regularly, at least one in each quarter year, and |
210 | shall designate the time and place thereof. At any meeting of |
211 | the Board, three trustees shall constitute a quorum. Each |
212 | trustee shall be entitled to one vote on each question before |
213 | the Board and at least three concurring votes shall be required |
214 | for a decision by the Board at any of its meetings. The Board |
215 | shall adopt its own rules of procedure and shall keep a record |
216 | of its proceedings. All public records of the Board shall be |
217 | kept and maintained as required by law. All meetings of the |
218 | Board shall be open to the public and shall be held as required |
219 | by law. |
220 | (d) Board chair.-The Board shall elect from among the |
221 | trustees a chair. |
222 | (e) Board secretary.-The Board shall elect from among the |
223 | trustees a secretary. The secretary shall keep a complete minute |
224 | book of the actions, proceedings, and hearings of the Board. |
225 | (f) Compensation.-The trustees of the Fund shall not |
226 | receive any compensation for their services as such, but may |
227 | receive expenses and per diem as provided by law. |
228 | (4) Professional and clerical services.- |
229 | (a) Pension administrator.-The pension administrator of |
230 | the Fund shall be designated by the Board and shall carry out |
231 | its orders and directions. |
232 | (b) Custodian of funds.-All moneys and securities of the |
233 | Fund may be deposited with the cash management coordinator of |
234 | the City, acting in a ministerial capacity only, who shall be |
235 | bonded and shall be liable in the same manner and to the same |
236 | extent as he or she is liable for the safekeeping of funds for |
237 | the City. However, any funds and securities deposited with the |
238 | cash management coordinator shall be kept in a separate fund by |
239 | the cash management coordinator or clearly identified as funds |
240 | and securities of the Fund. In lieu thereof, the Board shall |
241 | deposit the Funds and securities in a qualified public |
242 | depository designated by the Board. |
243 | 1. The cash management coordinator or other designated |
244 | qualified public depository shall receive all moneys due said |
245 | Fund from all sources whatsoever. All tax revenue received |
246 | pursuant to the provisions of chapter 185, Florida Statutes, |
247 | shall be deposited into the Fund no more than 5 days after |
248 | receipt. Member contributions withheld by the City on behalf of |
249 | a member shall be deposited in the Fund immediately. |
250 | 2. The Board may issue drafts upon the Fund pursuant to |
251 | this act and rules and regulations prescribed by the Board, |
252 | provided that such drafts shall be issued in accordance with |
253 | generally accepted accounting procedures, American Institute of |
254 | Certified Public Accountants guidelines, and rules of the State |
255 | of Florida Auditor General. All such drafts shall be |
256 | consecutively numbered and signed by the chair and secretary, or |
257 | other fiduciary designee, and each draft shall, upon its face, |
258 | state the purpose for which it is drawn. For this purpose, the |
259 | chair and secretary shall be bonded. The cash management |
260 | coordinator or other depository shall retain such drafts when |
261 | paid, as permanent vouchers for disbursements made, and no money |
262 | shall be otherwise drawn from the Fund. Payments from the Fund |
263 | shall be made only upon a specific or general motion or |
264 | resolution previously adopted by the Board authorizing such |
265 | payment or payments. |
266 | (c) Legal counsel.-The City Attorney shall give advice to |
267 | the Board in all matters pertaining to its duties in the |
268 | administration of the Fund whenever requested, shall represent |
269 | and defend the Board as its attorney in all suits and actions at |
270 | law or in equity that may be brought against it, and shall bring |
271 | all suits and actions in its behalf that may be required or |
272 | determined upon by said Board. However, if the Board so elects, |
273 | it may employ independent legal counsel at the Fund's expense |
274 | for the purposes set forth in this act. |
275 | (d) Actuary.-The Board shall designate an enrolled actuary |
276 | who shall be its technical advisor and who shall perform such |
277 | other actuarial services as are required. |
278 | (e) Certified public accountant.-The Board shall employ, |
279 | at its expense, a certified public accountant to conduct an |
280 | independent audit of the Fund. The certified public accountant |
281 | shall be independent of the Board and the City. |
282 | (f) Additional professional, technical, or other |
283 | services.-The Board shall have the authority to employ such |
284 | professional, technical, or other advisors as are required to |
285 | carry out the provisions of this act. |
286 | (5) Reports; experience tables; regular interest.- |
287 | (a) Reports.-The pension administrator shall keep, or |
288 | cause to be kept, such data as shall be necessary for an |
289 | actuarial valuation of the assets and liabilities of the Fund. |
290 | (b) Experience tables; regular interest; adoption of |
291 | same.-The Board shall, from time to time, adopt such mortality |
292 | and other tables of experience, and a rate or rates of interest, |
293 | as required to operate the Fund on an actuarial basis, except as |
294 | provided in subsection (34). |
295 | (6) Membership.-All police officers in the employ of the |
296 | Department shall be included in the membership of the Fund, and |
297 | all persons who hereafter become police officers in the employ |
298 | of the City shall thereupon become members of the Fund. Except |
299 | as otherwise provided in this act, should any member cease to be |
300 | a police officer in the employ of the Department, he or she |
301 | shall thereupon cease to be a member and his or her credited |
302 | service at that time shall be forfeited. In the event such |
303 | person is re-employed in the Department as a police officer, he |
304 | or she shall again become a member. His or her forfeited service |
305 | shall be restored to the member's credit, provided that he or |
306 | she returns to the Fund the amount he or she might have |
307 | withdrawn, together with regular interest from the date of |
308 | withdrawal to the date of repayment. Upon the member's |
309 | retirement or death, he or she shall thereupon cease to be a |
310 | member. |
311 | (7) Service credit.-Pursuant to appropriate rules and |
312 | regulations, the Board shall determine and credit the amount of |
313 | service to which each member shall be credited, consistent with |
314 | the provisions of this act and chapter 185, Florida Statutes. |
315 | (8) Age and service requirements for retirement.- |
316 | (a) Normal retirement.-Upon written application filed with |
317 | the Board, any member may retire and receive the applicable |
318 | pension provided for in paragraph (9)(a), provided that the |
319 | member has attained age 50 and has at least 20 years of credited |
320 | service, has attained age 55 and has at least 10 years of |
321 | credited service, or has at least 25 years of continuous |
322 | credited service, regardless of age. |
323 | (b) Vested deferred retirement.-A member who leaves the |
324 | employ of the Department with 10 or more years of credited |
325 | service and who is not eligible for any other retirement benefit |
326 | under this act shall be entitled to the pension provided for in |
327 | this subsection. Payments of this pension shall begin the first |
328 | day of the calendar month following the month in which his or |
329 | her application is filed with and accepted by the Board on or |
330 | after attainment of age 50 years. If applicable, the amount of |
331 | the pension shall be determined in accordance with the early |
332 | retirement provisions below. |
333 | (c) Early retirement.-Any member may retire from the |
334 | service of the Department as of the first day of any calendar |
335 | month which is prior to the member's normal retirement date but |
336 | subsequent to the date as of which he or she has both attained |
337 | the age of 50 and completed 10 years of credited service. In the |
338 | event of early retirement, the monthly amount of retirement |
339 | income payable shall be computed as described in paragraph |
340 | (9)(a), taking into account his or her credited service to his |
341 | or her date of actual retirement and his or her final average |
342 | salary as of such date. The amount of retirement income shall be |
343 | actuarially reduced to take into account the member's younger |
344 | age and earlier commencement of retirement income benefits. The |
345 | early retirement reduction shall be 3 percent for each year by |
346 | which the member's age at retirement preceded the member's |
347 | normal retirement age. |
348 | (9) Retirement pension calculation.- |
349 | (a) Upon retirement eligibility as provided in subsection |
350 | (8), a member shall receive a monthly pension. The pension shall |
351 | be the following, as applicable: |
352 | 1. A member who has more than or equal to 12 years and 6 |
353 | months of service at October 1, 1999, and who was actively |
354 | employed by the Department on or after October 1, 1999, shall |
355 | receive a benefit equal to the greater of the following: |
356 | a. Three percent of final average salary multiplied by the |
357 | number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service |
358 | earned from April 1, 1987, plus 2.5 percent of final average |
359 | salary multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a |
360 | year, of credited service earned prior to April 1, 1987, up to a |
361 | total of 26 years, plus 1 percent of the final average salary |
362 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
363 | credited service which is in excess of 26 years; |
364 | b. Two and one-half percent of final average salary |
365 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
366 | credited service, not to exceed 26 years, plus 1 percent of the |
367 | final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and |
368 | fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess of 26 |
369 | years; or |
370 | c. The sum of the following: |
371 | (I) Two and one-half percent of final average salary |
372 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
373 | credited service earned through September 30, 1988; and |
374 | (II) Two percent of final average salary multiplied by the |
375 | number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service |
376 | earned on and after October 1, 1988. |
377 |
|
378 | However, in no event shall the benefit be less than 2 percent |
379 | per year of credited service. |
380 | 2. A member who has more than 12 years and 6 months of |
381 | service and who has entered the DROP on or before October 1, |
382 | 1999, and who was actively employed by the Department on October |
383 | 1, 1999, shall receive a benefit equal to the greater of the |
384 | following: |
385 | a. Three percent of final average salary multiplied by the |
386 | number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service |
387 | earned in the 12 years and 6 months prior to entering the DROP, |
388 | plus 2.5 percent of final average salary multiplied by the |
389 | number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service |
390 | earned prior to that date which is 12 years and 6 months prior |
391 | to entering the DROP, up to a total of 26 years, plus 1 percent |
392 | of the final average salary multiplied by the number of years, |
393 | and fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess |
394 | of 26 years. The one-half percent enhancement to the accrual |
395 | rate shall also be applied retroactively to the date of entering |
396 | the DROP, or 2 years, whichever is less, provided that the |
397 | retroactive application shall include principal only and not any |
398 | earnings thereon. An example of the calculation described in |
399 | this sub-subparagraph is set forth in the collective bargaining |
400 | agreement between the City of West Palm Beach and the Police |
401 | Benevolent Association, Certified Unit No. 825, October 1, 1998- |
402 | September 30, 2001; |
403 | b. Two and one-half percent of final average salary |
404 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
405 | credited service, not to exceed 26 years, plus 1 percent of the |
406 | final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and |
407 | fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess of 26 |
408 | years; or |
409 | c. The sum of the following: |
410 | (I) Two and one-half percent of final average salary |
411 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
412 | credited service earned through September 30, 1988; and |
413 | (II) Two percent of final average salary multiplied by the |
414 | number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service |
415 | earned on and after October 1, 1988. |
416 |
|
417 | However, in no event shall the benefit be less than 2 percent |
418 | per year of credited service. |
419 | 3. A member who has less than 12 years and 6 months of |
420 | service on October 1, 1999, and who was actively employed by the |
421 | Department on or after October 1, 1999, shall receive a benefit |
422 | equal to the greater of the following: |
423 | a. Three percent of final average salary multiplied by the |
424 | number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service up |
425 | to a total of 26 years, plus 1 percent of the final average |
426 | salary multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a |
427 | year, of credited service which is in excess of 26 years; |
428 | b. Two and one-half percent of final average salary |
429 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
430 | credited service, not to exceed 26 years, plus 1 percent of the |
431 | final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and |
432 | fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess of 26 |
433 | years; or |
434 | c. The sum of the following: |
435 | (I) Two and one-half percent of final average salary |
436 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
437 | credited service earned through September 30, 1988; and |
438 | (II) Two percent of final average salary multiplied by the |
439 | number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service |
440 | earned on and after October 1, 1988. |
441 |
|
442 | However, in no event shall the benefit be less than 2 percent |
443 | per year of credited service. |
444 | 4. A member who terminated employment, retired on a vested |
445 | deferred benefit, or retired on or before October 1, 1999, shall |
446 | receive a benefit equal to the greater of the following: |
447 | a. Two and one-half percent of final average salary |
448 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
449 | credited service not to exceed 26 years, plus 1 percent of the |
450 | final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and |
451 | fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess of 26 |
452 | years; or |
453 | b. The sum of the following: |
454 | (I) Two and one-half percent of final average salary |
455 | multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of |
456 | credited service earned through September 30, 1988; and |
457 | (II) Two percent of final average salary multiplied by the |
458 | number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service |
459 | earned on and after October 1, 1988. |
460 |
|
461 | The 3-percent benefit accrual factor for active employees in |
462 | subparagraphs (a)1., 2., 3., and 4. is contingent on and subject |
463 | to the adoption and maintenance of the assumptions set forth in |
464 | subsection (34). If such assumptions are modified by |
465 | legislative, judicial, or administrative agency action and the |
466 | modification results in increased City contributions to the |
467 | Pension Fund, the 3-percent benefit accrual factor for active |
468 | employees in subparagraphs (a)1., 2., and 3. shall be |
469 | automatically decreased prospectively from the date of the |
470 | action, to completely offset the increase in City contributions. |
471 | However, in no event shall the benefit accrual factor in |
472 | subparagraphs (a)1., 2., 3., and 4. be adjusted below 2.5 |
473 | percent. |
474 |
|
475 | To the extent that the benefit accrual factor is less than 3 |
476 | percent for active members with less than 12 years and 6 months |
477 | of service on October 1, 1999, the supplemental pension |
478 | distribution calculation under subparagraph (12)(a)2. shall be |
479 | adjusted for employees who retire or enter the DROP after |
480 | October 1, 1999. The adjustment shall be to decrease the minimum |
481 | return of 8.25 percent needed to afford the supplemental pension |
482 | distribution, where the amount of the reduction is zero if an |
483 | employee has been credited with 12 years and 6 months of service |
484 | or more with the 3-percent benefit accrual factor or 1.25 |
485 | percent if an employee has been credited with no more than a |
486 | 2.5-percent benefit accrual factor. If an employee has been |
487 | credited with less than 12 years and 6 months of service at the |
488 | 3-percent benefit accrual factor, then the accumulated amount |
489 | over 2.5 percent for each year of service divided by one-half |
490 | percent divided by 12.5 subtracted from 1 multiplied by 1.25 |
491 | percent is the reduction from 8.25 percent. An example of the |
492 | calculation of the minimum return for the supplemental pension |
493 | distribution as herein described is set forth in the collective |
494 | bargaining agreement between the City of West Palm Beach and the |
495 | Police Benevolent Association, Certified Unit No. 145 and |
496 | Certified Unit No. 825, October 1, 1998-September 30, 2001. |
497 | (b) Payment of benefits.- |
498 | 1. First payment.-Service pensions shall be payable on the |
499 | first day of each month. The first payment shall be payable the |
500 | first day of the month coincident with or next following the |
501 | date of retirement or death, provided the member has completed |
502 | the applicable age and service requirements. |
503 | 2. Last payment.-The last payment shall be the payment due |
504 | next preceding the member's death, except that payments shall be |
505 | continued to the designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries) if a |
506 | 10-year certain benefit, a joint and survivor option, or |
507 | beneficiary benefits, as applicable, are payable. |
508 | (c) Normal form of retirement income; 10-year certain |
509 | benefit.- |
510 | 1. Married member.-The normal form of retirement benefit |
511 | for a married member or for a member with dependent children or |
512 | parents shall be a pension and death benefits. The pension |
513 | benefit shall provide monthly payments for the life of the |
514 | member. Thereafter, death benefits shall be paid to the |
515 | beneficiary designated by the member as provided in subsection |
516 | (17). |
517 | 2. Unmarried member.-The normal form of retirement benefit |
518 | for an unmarried member without dependent children or parents |
519 | shall be a 10- year certain benefit. This benefit shall pay |
520 | monthly benefits for the member's lifetime. In the event the |
521 | member dies after his or her retirement but before receiving |
522 | retirement benefits for a period of 10 years, the same monthly |
523 | benefit shall be paid to the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as |
524 | designated by the member for the balance of such 10-year period |
525 | or, if no beneficiary is designated, to heirs at law, or estate |
526 | of the member, as provided in section 185.162, Florida Statutes. |
527 | (d) Optional forms of retirement income.- |
528 | 1.a. In the event of normal, early, or disability |
529 | retirement, in lieu of the normal form of retirement income |
530 | payable as specified in paragraph (c), and in lieu of the death |
531 | benefits as specified in subsection (17), a member, upon written |
532 | request to the Board and subject to the approval of the Board, |
533 | may elect to receive a retirement income of equivalent actuarial |
534 | value payable in accordance with one of the following options: |
535 | (I) Lifetime option.-A retirement income of a larger |
536 | monthly amount, payable to the member for his or her lifetime |
537 | only. |
538 | (II) Joint and survivor option.-A retirement income of a |
539 | modified monthly amount, payable to the member during the joint |
540 | lifetime of the member and a dependent joint pensioner |
541 | designated by the member, and following the death of either of |
542 | them, 100 percent, 75 percent, 66-2/3 percent, or 50 percent of |
543 | such monthly amounts, payable to the survivor for the lifetime |
544 | of the survivor. |
545 | b. The member, upon electing any option of this paragraph, |
546 | shall designate the joint pensioner or beneficiary (or |
547 | beneficiaries) to receive the benefit, if any, payable in the |
548 | event of his or her death, and shall have the power to change |
549 | such designation from time to time; but any such change shall be |
550 | deemed a new election and shall be subject to approval by the |
551 | Board. Such designation shall name a joint pensioner or one or |
552 | more primary beneficiaries where applicable. If a member has |
553 | elected an option with a joint pensioner or beneficiary and his |
554 | or her retirement income benefits have commenced, he or she may |
555 | thereafter change the designated joint pensioner or beneficiary |
556 | only twice. Any retired member who desires to change his or her |
557 | joint pensioner or beneficiary shall file with the Board a |
558 | notarized notice of such change. Upon receipt of a completed |
559 | change of joint pensioner form or such other notice, the Board |
560 | shall adjust the member's monthly benefit by the application of |
561 | actuarial tables and calculations developed to ensure that the |
562 | benefit paid is the actuarial equivalent of the present value of |
563 | the member's current benefit and there is no impact to the Plan. |
564 | c. The consent of a member's joint pensioner or |
565 | beneficiary to any such change shall not be required. However, |
566 | the spouse of a married member must consent to any election to |
567 | waive a joint and survivor benefit by signing the election |
568 | before a notary public. The spouse's written consent must |
569 | acknowledge the effect of such a waiver. Consent of the spouse |
570 | shall not be required if the spouse cannot be located, or for |
571 | such other circumstances as may be prescribed by regulations of |
572 | the Secretary of the Treasury. Any consent by a spouse shall be |
573 | effective only with respect to such spouse. |
574 | d. For any other changes of beneficiaries, the Board may |
575 | request such evidence of the good health of the joint pensioner |
576 | who is being removed as it may require; and the amount of the |
577 | retirement income payable to the member upon the designation of |
578 | a new joint pensioner shall be actuarially redetermined, taking |
579 | into account the ages and sex of the former joint pensioner, the |
580 | new joint pensioner, and the member. Each such designation shall |
581 | be made in writing on a form prepared by the Board, and, on |
582 | completion, shall be filed with the Board. In the event that no |
583 | designated beneficiary survives the member, such benefits as are |
584 | payable in the event of the death of the member subsequent to |
585 | his or her retirement shall be paid as provided in subparagraph |
586 | (c)2. |
587 | 2. Retirement income payments shall be made under the |
588 | option elected in accordance with the provisions of this |
589 | paragraph and shall be subject to the following limitations: |
590 | a. If a member dies prior to his or her normal retirement |
591 | date or early retirement date, whichever first occurs, |
592 | retirement benefits shall be paid in accordance with subsection |
593 | (17). |
594 | b. If the designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries) or |
595 | joint pensioner dies before the member's retirement, the option |
596 | elected shall be canceled automatically and a retirement income |
597 | of the normal form and amount shall be payable to the member |
598 | upon his or her retirement as if the election had not been made, |
599 | unless a new election is made in accordance with the provisions |
600 | of this paragraph or a new beneficiary is designated by the |
601 | member prior to his or her retirement. |
602 | c. If a member continues in the employ of the Department |
603 | after meeting the age and service requirements set forth in |
604 | paragraph (8)(a) and dies prior to retirement and while an |
605 | option provided for in this paragraph is in effect, monthly |
606 | retirement income payments shall be paid, under the option, to a |
607 | beneficiary (or beneficiaries) designated by the member in the |
608 | amount or amounts computed as if the member had retired under |
609 | the option on the date on which his or her death occurred. |
610 | 3. No member may make any change in his or her retirement |
611 | option after the date of cashing or depositing the first |
612 | retirement check. |
613 | (e) Designation of beneficiary.- |
614 | 1. Each member may, on a form provided for that purpose, |
615 | signed and filed with the Board, designate a beneficiary (or |
616 | beneficiaries) to receive the benefit, if any, which may be |
617 | payable in the event of the member's death; and each designation |
618 | may be revoked by such member by signing and filing with the |
619 | Board a new designation of beneficiary form. However, after the |
620 | benefits have commenced, a retirant may change his or her |
621 | designation of a joint annuitant or beneficiary only twice. If |
622 | the retirant desires to change his or her joint annuitant or |
623 | beneficiary, he or she shall file with the Board a notarized |
624 | notice of such change either by registered letter or on a form |
625 | as provided by the Board. Upon receipt of a completed change of |
626 | joint annuitant form or such other notice, the Board shall |
627 | adjust the member's monthly benefit by the application of |
628 | actuarial tables and calculations developed to ensure that the |
629 | benefit paid is the actuarial equivalent of the present value of |
630 | the member's current benefit. |
631 | 2. Absence or death of beneficiary.-If a deceased member |
632 | failed to name a beneficiary in the manner prescribed in |
633 | subparagraph 1., or if the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) named |
634 | by a deceased member predeceases the member, death benefits, if |
635 | any, which may be payable under this act on behalf of such |
636 | deceased member may be paid, in the discretion of the Board, to: |
637 | a. The spouse or dependent child or children of the |
638 | member; |
639 | b. The dependent living parent or parents of the member; |
640 | or |
641 | c. The estate of the member. |
642 | (10) Cost-of-living adjustments.- |
643 | (a) The following words and phrases as used in this |
644 | subsection mean: |
645 | 1. Unadjusted amount of retirement benefit.-The amount of |
646 | retirement benefit that would be paid a retiree or beneficiary |
647 | of the provisions if this subsection were not applicable. |
648 | 2. Consumer price index.-The consumer price index for |
649 | urban wage earners and clerical workers as published by the |
650 | United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
651 | Should the Bureau of Labor Statistics adopt a new base or modify |
652 | the method of computation of the consumer price index so as to |
653 | render it unsuitable, the Board shall make appropriate |
654 | adjustments. The Board shall choose another index which it |
655 | determines to be appropriate if the consumer price index is no |
656 | longer published. |
657 | 3. Retirement benefit effective date.-The date as of which |
658 | payments of a retirement benefit first commence. A new effective |
659 | date does not occur when a retiree dies and a retirement |
660 | allowance is paid to a beneficiary. |
661 | 4. Base month.-The more recent of the month of October |
662 | 1976, the month and year of the retirement benefit effective |
663 | date, or the month and year in which the retiree attains age 64 |
664 | years. |
665 | (b) Subject to the limitations stated in this subsection, |
666 | the unadjusted amount of the retirement benefit for retirees 65 |
667 | years of age or older shall be increased each January 1, |
668 | beginning January 1, 1977. The retirement benefit shall increase |
669 | by 3 percent multiplied by the number of complete years from the |
670 | later of: |
671 | 1. January 1, 1976; |
672 | 2. The retirement benefit effective date; or |
673 | 3. The first day of the month after attainment of age 65 |
674 | years |
675 |
|
676 | to January 1 of the year in which the adjustment is being made. |
677 | (c) The accumulated adjustments to a retirement benefit |
678 | after January 1, 1977, expressed as a percentage of the |
679 | unadjusted amount of retirement allowance, shall not exceed the |
680 | percentage increase in the consumer price index for the period |
681 | between the base month and the month of October in the year |
682 | preceding adjustment. |
683 | (d) An adjustment shall not be made on any January first |
684 | if the amount of the adjustment is less than 1 percent of the |
685 | unadjusted amount of retirement benefit. |
686 | (11) Chapter 185 share accounts.- |
687 | (a) A separate individual member account shall be |
688 | established and maintained in each member's name effective |
689 | October 1, 1988. |
690 | (b) Share account funding.- |
691 | 1. Chapter 185 moneys.-Each individual member account |
692 | shall be credited with the moneys received from chapter 185, |
693 | Florida Statutes, tax revenues in June 1988 and thereafter. |
694 | 2. Forfeitures.-In addition, any forfeitures as provided |
695 | in paragraph (e) shall be credited to the individual member |
696 | accounts in accordance with the formula set forth in paragraph |
697 | (c). |
698 | (c) Quarterly annual allocation of accounts.- |
699 | 1. Moneys shall be credited to each individual member |
700 | account in an amount directly proportionate to the number of pay |
701 | periods for which the member was paid compared to the total |
702 | number of pay periods for which all members were paid, counting |
703 | the pay periods in the calendar year preceding the date for |
704 | which chapter 185, Florida Statutes, tax revenues were received. |
705 | 2. At the end of each fiscal quarter year (September 30), |
706 | each individual member account shall be adjusted to reflect the |
707 | earnings or losses resulting from investments, as well as |
708 | reflecting the costs, fees, and expenses of administration. |
709 | 3. Effective October 1, 2002, vested Participants have the |
710 | option to select between two methods to credit investment |
711 | earnings to their account. The method may be changed each year |
712 | effective October 1; however, the method must be elected prior |
713 | to October 1. The methods are: |
714 | a. The investment earnings (or losses) credited to the |
715 | individual member accounts shall be the same percentage as are |
716 | earned (or lost) by the total investment earnings (or losses) of |
717 | the Fund as a whole, unless the Board dedicates a separate |
718 | investment portfolio for chapter 185, Florida Statutes, share |
719 | accounts, in which case the investment earnings (or losses) |
720 | shall be measured by the investment earnings (or losses) of the |
721 | separate investment portfolio. |
722 | b. A fixed annual rate of 8.25 percent. |
723 | 4. Costs, fees, and expenses of administration shall be |
724 | debited from the individual member accounts on a proportionate |
725 | basis, taking the costs, fees, and expenses of administration of |
726 | the Fund as a whole, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of |
727 | which is the total of the assets in all individual member |
728 | accounts and the denominator of which is the total of the assets |
729 | of the Fund as a whole. The proportionate share of the costs, |
730 | fees, and expenses shall be debited to each individual member |
731 | account on a pro rata basis in the same manner as chapter 185, |
732 | Florida Statutes, tax revenues are credited to each individual |
733 | member account (i.e., based on pay periods). |
734 | 5. If the entire balance of the individual member account |
735 | is withdrawn before September 30 of any year, there shall be no |
736 | adjustment made to that individual member account to reflect |
737 | either investment earnings (or losses) or costs, fees, and |
738 | expenses of administration. |
739 | (d) Eligibility for benefits.-Any member who terminates |
740 | employment with the City, upon application filed with the Board, |
741 | shall be entitled to 100 percent of the value of his or her |
742 | individual member account, provided the member meets any of the |
743 | following criteria: |
744 | 1. The member is eligible to receive a pension as provided |
745 | in subsection (8); |
746 | 2. The member has 5 or more years of credited service and |
747 | is eligible to receive either: |
748 | a. A nonduty disability pension as provided in paragraph |
749 | (14)(a); or |
750 | b. Death benefits for nonduty death as provided in |
751 | paragraph (17)(a); or |
752 | 3. The member has any credited service and is eligible to |
753 | receive either: |
754 | a. A duty disability pension as provided in subsection |
755 | (15); or |
756 | b. Death benefits for death in the line of duty as |
757 | provided in paragraph (17)(b). |
758 | (e) Forfeitures.-Any member who has less than 10 years of |
759 | credited service and who is not eligible for payment of benefits |
760 | after termination of employment with the City shall forfeit his |
761 | or her individual member account. The amounts credited to said |
762 | individual member account shall be redistributed to the |
763 | remaining individual member accounts in the same manner as |
764 | chapter 185, Florida Statutes, tax revenues are credited (i.e., |
765 | based on pay periods). |
766 | (f) Payment of benefits.-The normal form of benefit |
767 | payment shall be a lump sum payment of the entire balance of the |
768 | member's individual member account or upon the written election |
769 | of the member, upon a form provided by the Board; and payment |
770 | shall be made: |
771 | 1. Over 3 years in annual installments; or |
772 | 2. In monthly installments over the lifetime of the member |
773 | or until the entire balance is exhausted. The monthly amount |
774 | paid shall be determined by the Fund's actuary in accordance |
775 | with selections made by the member on a form provided by the |
776 | Board of Trustees. |
777 | (g) Death of member.-If a member dies and is eligible for |
778 | benefits from the individual member account, the entire balance |
779 | of the individual member account shall be converted to the name |
780 | of the beneficiary designated in accordance with paragraph |
781 | (9)(e). The entire balance shall be paid out in a lump sum to |
782 | the beneficiary, at the discretion of the beneficiary. If the |
783 | designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse, the account may |
784 | remain with the Fund until the latest period specified under |
785 | subsection (30). These individual accounts shall not be eligible |
786 | for any further shares of the Chapter 185 moneys but shall be |
787 | credited with interest. If a member fails to designate a |
788 | beneficiary, or if the beneficiary predeceases the member, the |
789 | entire balance shall be converted, in the following order, to |
790 | the name or names of: |
791 | 1. The member's surviving children on a pro rata basis; |
792 | 2. If no children are alive, the member's spouse; |
793 | 3. If no spouse is alive, the member's surviving parents |
794 | on a pro rata basis; or |
795 | 4. If none are alive, the estate of the member. |
796 |
|
797 | The accounts which are converted to the names of the |
798 | beneficiaries shall have the right to name a successor |
799 | beneficiary. Any designated beneficiary, other than the |
800 | surviving spouse of the member, must take a distribution of the |
801 | entire share account balance by the end of 5 years following the |
802 | death of the member. Installment distributions which begin in |
803 | the calendar year of the member's death shall be treated as |
804 | complying with this 5-year distribution requirement, even though |
805 | the installments are not completed within 5 years after the |
806 | member's death. |
807 | (12) Supplemental pension distribution.- |
808 | (a) The Board of Trustees shall annually authorize a |
809 | supplemental pension distribution, the amount of which shall be |
810 | determined as of each September 30, as applicable. |
811 | 1. For employees who retired prior to October 1, 1999, the |
812 | amount of the distribution shall be equal to the actuarial |
813 | present value of future pension payments to those current |
814 | pensioners, multiplied by the positive difference, if any, |
815 | between the rate of investment return (not to exceed 9 percent) |
816 | and 7 percent, plus one-half of any investment earnings over 9 |
817 | percent. |
818 | 2. For those employees who have more than 12-1/2 years of |
819 | service on and after October 1, 1999, or who are part of the |
820 | DROP on or after October 1, 1999, the amount of the distribution |
821 | shall be equal to the actuarial present value of future pension |
822 | payments to those pensioners multiplied by the positive |
823 | difference, if any, between the rate of investment return (not |
824 | to exceed 9 percent) and 7 percent, plus one-half of any |
825 | investment earnings over 9 percent. |
826 | 3. For those employees who have less than 12-1/2 years of |
827 | service as of October 1, 1999, the amount of the distribution |
828 | shall be equal to the actuarial present value of future pension |
829 | payments to those pensioners multiplied by the positive |
830 | difference, if any, between the rate of investment return (not |
831 | to exceed 9 percent) and 8.25 percent, plus one-half of any |
832 | investment earnings over 9 percent. |
833 | (b) The actuary shall determine whether there may be a |
834 | supplemental pension distribution based on the following |
835 | factors: |
836 | 1. The actuary for the Pension Fund shall determine the |
837 | rate of investment return earned on the Pension Fund assets |
838 | during the 12-month period ending each September 30. The rate |
839 | determined shall be the rate reported in the most recent |
840 | actuarial report submitted pursuant to part VII of chapter 112, |
841 | Florida Statutes. |
842 | 2. The actuary for the Pension Fund shall, as of September |
843 | 30, determine the actuarial present value of future pension |
844 | payments to current pensioners. The actuarial present values |
845 | shall be calculated using an interest rate of 7 percent per year |
846 | compounded annually, and a mortality table approved by the Board |
847 | of Trustees and as used in the most recent actuarial report |
848 | submitted pursuant to part VII of chapter 112, Florida Statutes. |
849 | 3. The supplemental pension distribution amount shall not |
850 | exceed accumulated net actuarial experience from all pension |
851 | liabilities and assets. If the net actuarial experience is |
852 | favorable, cumulatively, commencing with the experience for the |
853 | year ending September 30, 1991, after offset for all prior |
854 | supplemental distributions, the supplemental distribution may be |
855 | made. If the net actuarial experience is unfavorable, |
856 | cumulatively, commencing with the experience for the year ended |
857 | September 30, 1991, after offset for all prior supplemental |
858 | distributions, no supplemental distribution may be made, and the |
859 | City must amortize the loss until it is offset by cumulative |
860 | favorable experience. |
861 |
|
862 | If an actuarial report submitted as provided in this paragraph |
863 | is not state accepted prior to distribution, and if a deficiency |
864 | to the Pension Fund results, the deficiency shall be made up |
865 | from the next available supplemental pension distribution, |
866 | unless sooner made up by agreement between the Board of Trustees |
867 | and the City. No such deficiency shall be permitted to continue |
868 | for a period greater than 3 years from the date of payment of |
869 | the supplemental pension distribution which resulted from the |
870 | deficiency. |
871 | (c) If the actuary determines there may be a supplemental |
872 | distribution, the Board of Trustees shall authorize a |
873 | "supplemental pension distribution," unless the administrative |
874 | expenses of distribution exceed the amount available for the |
875 | distribution. |
876 | (d) Eligible persons are: |
877 | 1. Pensioners. |
878 | 2. Surviving spouses. |
879 | 3. Surviving dependent children. |
880 | 4. Pensioners' estates. |
881 | (e) The supplemental pension distribution shall be |
882 | allocated among eligible persons based upon years of service in |
883 | the proportion that the eligible person's years of service bear |
884 | to the aggregate amount of years of service of all eligible |
885 | persons. Allocations for surviving spouses and surviving |
886 | dependent children who are eligible to receive supplemental |
887 | pension distributions shall be 66-2/3 percent of the years of |
888 | service earned by the pensioner. Maximum service credits shall |
889 | be 25 years. Allocations for duty-disability pensioners shall be |
890 | based upon 25 years of service. Allocations for duty-death |
891 | beneficiaries (surviving spouse and surviving dependent |
892 | children) shall be based upon 66-2/3 percent of 25 years of |
893 | service. |
894 | (f) The supplemental pension distribution shall be made as |
895 | of April 1, 1992, and each April 1 thereafter. Each eligible |
896 | person shall be paid his or her allocated portion from the |
897 | preceding September 30. Eligible persons retired for less than 1 |
898 | year are entitled to a pro rata share of their supplemental |
899 | pension distribution based on the number of months retired. A |
900 | pensioner's estate is entitled to a pro rata share of the |
901 | deceased retirant's supplemental pension distribution based on |
902 | the number of months that the deceased retirant received a |
903 | pension during the year ending the September 30 prior to the |
904 | retirant's death. |
905 | (13) Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP).- |
906 | (a) Eligibility to participate in the DROP.- |
907 | 1. Any member who is eligible to receive a normal |
908 | retirement pension may participate in the DROP. Members shall |
909 | elect to participate by applying to the Board of Trustees on a |
910 | form provided for that purpose. |
911 | 2. Election to participate shall be forfeited if not |
912 | exercised within the first 27 years of combined credited |
913 | service. |
914 | 3. A member shall not participate in the DROP beyond the |
915 | time of attaining 30 years of service and the total years of |
916 | participation in the DROP shall not exceed 5 years. For example: |
917 | a. Members with 25 years of credited service at the time |
918 | of entry shall participate for only 5 years. |
919 | b. Members with 26 years of credited service at the time |
920 | of entry shall participate for only 4 years. |
921 | c. Members with 27 years of credited service at the time |
922 | of entry shall participate for only 3 years. |
923 | 4. Upon a member's election to participate in the DROP, he |
924 | or she shall cease to be a member and shall no longer accrue any |
925 | benefits under the Pension Fund, except for the benefits |
926 | provided under subsection (11), Chapter 185 share accounts. For |
927 | all Fund purposes, the member becomes a retirant, except that a |
928 | DROP participant shall continue to receive shares of the chapter |
929 | moneys in accordance with subsection (11), Chapter 185 share |
930 | accounts. DROP members shall also be eligible to vote as members |
931 | for purposes of election of the member-trustee. The amount of |
932 | credited service shall freeze as of the date of entry into the |
933 | DROP. |
934 | (b) Amounts payable upon election to participate in DROP.- |
935 | 1. Monthly retirement benefits that would have been |
936 | payable had the member terminated employment with the Department |
937 | and elected to receive monthly pension payments shall be paid |
938 | into the DROP and credited to the retirant. Payments into the |
939 | DROP shall be made monthly over the period the retirant |
940 | participates in the DROP, up to a maximum of 60 months. |
941 | 2. Effective October 1, 2002, DROP Participants have the |
942 | option to select between two methods to credit investment |
943 | earnings to their account. The method may be changed each year |
944 | effective October 1; however, the method must be elected prior |
945 | to October 1. The methods are: |
946 | a. Earnings using the rate of investment return earned (or |
947 | lost) on Pension Fund assets as reported by the Fund's |
948 | investment monitor. DROP assets are commingled with the Pension |
949 | Fund assets for investment purposes. |
950 | b. A fixed rate of 8.25 percent. |
951 |
|
952 | However, if a police officer does not terminate employment at |
953 | the end of participation in the DROP, interest credits shall |
954 | cease on the balance. |
955 | 3. No payments shall be made from the DROP until the |
956 | member terminates employment with the Department. |
957 | 4. Upon termination of employment, participants in the |
958 | DROP shall receive the balance of the DROP account in accordance |
959 | with the following rules: |
960 | a. Members may elect to begin to receive payment upon |
961 | termination of employment or defer payment of the DROP until the |
962 | latest day as provided under sub-subparagraph c. |
963 | b. Payments shall be made in either: |
964 | (I) Lump sum.-The entire account balance shall be paid to |
965 | the retirant upon approval of the Board of Trustees. |
966 | (II) Installments.-The account balance shall be paid out |
967 | to the retirant in three equal payments paid over 3 years, the |
968 | first payment to be made upon approval of the Board of Trustees. |
969 | (III) Annuity.-The account balance shall be paid out in |
970 | monthly installments over the lifetime of the member or until |
971 | the entire balance is exhausted. Monthly amount paid shall be |
972 | determined by the Fund's actuary in accordance with selections |
973 | made by the member on a form provided by the Board of Trustees. |
974 | c. Any form of payment selected by a police officer must |
975 | comply with the minimum distribution requirements of s. |
976 | 401(A)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and is subject to the |
977 | requirements of subsection (30) (29) of this act; e.g., payments |
978 | must commence by age 70-1/2. |
979 | d. The beneficiary of the DROP participant who dies before |
980 | payments from the DROP begin shall have the same right as the |
981 | participant in accordance with subsection (17). |
982 | e. Costs, fees, and expenses of administration shall be |
983 | debited from the individual member accounts on a proportionate |
984 | basis, taking the cost, fees, and expenses of administration of |
985 | the Fund as a whole, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of |
986 | which is the total assets in all individual member accounts and |
987 | the denominator of which is the total assets of the Fund as a |
988 | whole. |
989 | (c) Loans from the DROP.- |
990 | 1. Availability of loans.- |
991 | a. Loans are available to members only after termination |
992 | of employment, provided the member had participated in the DROP |
993 | for a period of 12 months. |
994 | b. Loans may only be made from a member's own account. |
995 | c. There may be no more than one loan at a time. |
996 | 2. Amount of loan.- |
997 | a. Loans may be made up to a maximum of 50 percent of |
998 | account balance. |
999 | b. The maximum dollar amount of a loan is $50,000, reduced |
1000 | by the highest outstanding loan balance during the last 12 |
1001 | months. |
1002 | c. The minimum amount of a loan is $5,000. |
1003 | 3. Limitations on loans.-Loans shall be made from the |
1004 | amounts paid into the DROP and the earnings thereon. |
1005 | 4. Term of loan.- |
1006 | a. The loan must be for at least 1 year. |
1007 | b. The loan shall be no longer than 5 years. |
1008 | 5. Loan interest rate.- |
1009 | a. The interest rate shall be fixed at the time the loan |
1010 | is originated for the entire term of the loan. |
1011 | b. The interest rate shall be equal to the prime rate |
1012 | published by an established local bank on the last day of each |
1013 | calendar quarter preceding the date of loan application. |
1014 | 6. Defaults on loans.- |
1015 | a. Loans shall be in default if 2 consecutive months' |
1016 | repayments are missed or if a total of 4 months' repayments are |
1017 | missed. |
1018 | b. Upon default, the entire balance becomes due and |
1019 | payable immediately. |
1020 | c. If a loan in default is not repaid in full immediately, |
1021 | the loan may be canceled and the outstanding balance treated as |
1022 | a distribution, which may be taxable. |
1023 | d. Upon default of a loan, a member shall not be eligible |
1024 | for additional loans. |
1025 | 7. Miscellaneous provisions.- |
1026 | a. All loans must be evidenced by a written loan agreement |
1027 | signed by the member and the Board of Trustees. The agreement |
1028 | shall contain a promissory note. |
1029 | b. A member's spouse must consent in writing to the loan. |
1030 | The consent shall acknowledge the effect of the loan on the |
1031 | member's account balance. |
1032 | c. Loans shall be considered a general asset of the Fund. |
1033 | d. Loans shall be subject to administrative fees to be set |
1034 | by the Board of Trustees. |
1035 | (14) Nonduty disability pension.- |
1036 | (a) Retirement.-Any member who entered the employ of the |
1037 | Department as a police officer after September 30, 1961, and who |
1038 | has 5 or more years of credited service, who becomes physically |
1039 | or mentally, totally and permanently disabled to perform the |
1040 | duties of a police officer, shall be retired with a pension |
1041 | provided for in this subsection upon his or her application, or |
1042 | upon the application of the Police Chief on his or her behalf, |
1043 | filed with the Board, provided that after a medical examination |
1044 | of the member made by or under the direction of the medical |
1045 | committee, the medical committee reports to the Board in writing |
1046 | whether: |
1047 | 1. The member is wholly prevented from rendering useful |
1048 | and efficient service as a police officer; and |
1049 | 2. The member is likely to remain so disabled continuously |
1050 | and permanently. |
1051 |
|
1052 | The Board may admit and consider any other evidence that will |
1053 | assist it in understanding the medical committee's report. The |
1054 | final decision as to whether a member meets the requirements for |
1055 | a nonduty disability pension rests with the Board and shall be |
1056 | based on substantial competent evidence on the record as a |
1057 | whole. |
1058 | (b) Nonduty disability pension benefits; disability occurs |
1059 | after age and service eligibility.-A member whose retirement on |
1060 | account of disability, as provided in paragraph (a), occurs on |
1061 | or after the date he or she became eligible to retire under |
1062 | subsection (8) shall receive the applicable pension provided for |
1063 | in subsection (9). |
1064 | (c) Nonduty disability pension benefits; disability occurs |
1065 | before age and service eligibility.-A member whose retirement on |
1066 | account of disability, as provided in paragraph (a), occurs |
1067 | prior to the date he or she would have become eligible to retire |
1068 | under paragraph (8)(a) shall receive a disability pension equal |
1069 | to the applicable pension payable in subsection (9), provided |
1070 | that: |
1071 | 1. If the member has less than 10 years of credited |
1072 | service, the disability pension shall not be less than 20 |
1073 | percent of his or her final average salary as of his or her |
1074 | disability retirement date; |
1075 | 2. If the member has at least 10 years of credited |
1076 | service, the disability pension shall not be less than 25 |
1077 | percent of his or her final average salary as of his or her |
1078 | disability retirement date; and |
1079 | 3. The disability pension shall be subject to the |
1080 | provisions of subsection (18). |
1081 | (15) Duty disability pension.- |
1082 | (a) Retirement.-Any member who becomes physically or |
1083 | mentally, totally and permanently disabled to perform the duties |
1084 | of a police officer by reason of a personal injury or disease |
1085 | arising out of and in the course of the performance of his or |
1086 | her duties as a police officer in the employ of the City shall |
1087 | be retired with a pension provided for in this subsection, |
1088 | provided that, after a medical examination of the member made by |
1089 | or under the direction of the medical committee, the medical |
1090 | committee reports to the Board in writing whether: |
1091 | 1. The member is wholly prevented from rendering useful |
1092 | and efficient service as a police officer; and |
1093 | 2. The member is likely to remain so disabled continuously |
1094 | and permanently. |
1095 |
|
1096 | The Board may admit and consider any other evidence that will |
1097 | assist it in understanding the medical committee's report. Any |
1098 | condition or impairment of health of a member caused by |
1099 | tuberculosis, hypertension, heart disease or hardening of the |
1100 | arteries, hepatitis, or meningococcal meningitis resulting in |
1101 | total or partial disability or death shall be presumed to be |
1102 | accidental and suffered in line of duty unless the contrary be |
1103 | shown by competent evidence. Any condition or impairment of |
1104 | health caused directly or proximately by exposure, which |
1105 | exposure occurred in the active performance of duty at some |
1106 | definite time or place without willful negligence on the part of |
1107 | the member, resulting in total or partial disability shall be |
1108 | presumed to be accidental and suffered in the line of duty, |
1109 | provided that such member shall have successfully passed a |
1110 | physical examination upon entering such service, which physical |
1111 | examination, including electrocardiogram, failed to reveal any |
1112 | evidence of such condition. In order to be entitled to the |
1113 | presumption in the case of hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, |
1114 | or tuberculosis, the member must meet the requirements of |
1115 | section 112.181, Florida Statutes. The final decision as to |
1116 | whether a member meets the requirements for duty disability |
1117 | pension rests with the Board and shall be based on substantial |
1118 | competent evidence on the record as a whole. |
1119 | (b) Duty disability pension benefits; disability occurs |
1120 | after age and service eligibility.-A member whose retirement on |
1121 | account of disability, as provided in paragraph (a), occurs on |
1122 | or after the date he or she becomes eligible to retire under |
1123 | subsection (8) shall receive the applicable pension provided for |
1124 | in subsection (9). |
1125 | (c) Duty disability pension benefits; disability occurs |
1126 | before age and service eligibility.-A member whose retirement on |
1127 | account of disability, as provided in paragraph (a), occurs |
1128 | prior to the date he or she would become eligible to retire |
1129 | under subsection (8) shall receive a disability pension equal to |
1130 | the appropriate pension payable in subsection (9). The |
1131 | disability pension payable to age 55 shall not be less than two- |
1132 | thirds of his or her final average salary. Upon reaching age 55, |
1133 | the member shall begin receiving a pension computed in |
1134 | accordance with the applicable provisions of subsection (9). In |
1135 | calculating the new pension figure, the member shall be given |
1136 | service credit for the period he or she was in receipt of the |
1137 | disability pension provided for in this paragraph. Any pension |
1138 | payable under this subsection shall be subject to the provisions |
1139 | of subsection (18). |
1140 | (16) Conditions applicable to all disability retirants.- |
1141 | (a) Medical committee.-The medical committee provided for |
1142 | in subsections (14) and (15) shall consist of no less than two |
1143 | qualified health professionals, one of whom shall be designated |
1144 | by the Board, and one by the member. If deemed necessary by the |
1145 | Board, a third qualified health professional, selected by the |
1146 | two committee members previously designated, may be named to the |
1147 | medical committee. The member shall be responsible for the |
1148 | expenses of the qualified health professional he or she |
1149 | designates to serve on the medical committee. Expenses for any |
1150 | other medical examination required under this act shall be paid |
1151 | by the Fund. The medical committee shall report to the Board the |
1152 | existence and degree of permanent physical impairment of the |
1153 | member, if any, based upon the most recent edition of the |
1154 | American Medical Association's Guide to the Evaluation of |
1155 | Permanent Impairment, if applicable. |
1156 | (b) Exclusions from disability pensions.-No disability |
1157 | pension shall be payable, either as a duty disability or as a |
1158 | nonduty disability, if the disability is the result of: |
1159 | 1. Excessive and habitual use by the member of drugs, |
1160 | intoxicants, or narcotics; |
1161 | 2. Injury or disease sustained by the member while |
1162 | willfully and illegally participating in fights, riots, or civil |
1163 | insurrections or while committing a crime; |
1164 | 3. Injury or disease sustained by the member while serving |
1165 | in any armed forces. This exclusion does not affect members who |
1166 | have become disabled as a result of intervening military service |
1167 | under the federal Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act |
1168 | of 2008 (H.R. 6081; P.L. 110-245); |
1169 | 4. Injury or disease sustained by the member after his or |
1170 | her employment has terminated; |
1171 | 5. Injury or disease sustained by the member while working |
1172 | for anyone other than the City and arising out of such |
1173 | employment; or |
1174 | 6. Injury or disease sustained by the member before |
1175 | employment with the City begins. This exclusion subparagraph |
1176 | applies only in the event of an application for a duty |
1177 | disability benefit injury or disease. |
1178 | (c) Payment of disability pensions.-Monthly disability |
1179 | retirement benefits shall be payable as of the date the Board |
1180 | determines that the member was entitled to a disability pension; |
1181 | however, the first payment shall actually be paid on the first |
1182 | day of the first month after the Board determines such |
1183 | entitlement. Any portion due for a partial month shall be paid |
1184 | together with the first payment. The last payment shall be, if |
1185 | the member recovers from the disability prior to his or her |
1186 | normal retirement date, the payment due next preceding the date |
1187 | of recovery or, if the member dies without recovering from his |
1188 | or her disability, then the following shall apply: |
1189 | 1. Member with 10 or more years of service.-Death benefits |
1190 | as set forth in subsection (17) shall be paid. |
1191 | 2. Member with less than 10 years of service.-Payments |
1192 | shall be made until the member's death. |
1193 |
|
1194 | Any monthly disability retirement income payments due after the |
1195 | death of a disabled member shall be paid to the member's |
1196 | designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as provided in section |
1197 | 185.162, Florida Statutes, or paragraph (9)(e) or subsection |
1198 | (17), as applicable. |
1199 | (d) Normal form of disability retirement income.- |
1200 | 1. Duty or nonduty disability with 10 years of service.- |
1201 | a. Married member.-The standard form of disability |
1202 | retirement benefit for a married member or for a member with |
1203 | dependent children or parents shall be a disability pension and |
1204 | death benefit. This form of benefit shall provide monthly |
1205 | payments for the life of the member as set forth in subsection |
1206 | (14) or subsection (15), as applicable, or the disability |
1207 | retiree may select optional forms of benefits in accordance with |
1208 | paragraph (9)(d). Thereafter, death benefits shall be paid as |
1209 | provided in subsection (17). |
1210 | b. Unmarried member.-The standard form of disability |
1211 | retirement benefit for a member who is not married or who does |
1212 | not have dependent children or parents shall be a 10-year |
1213 | certain benefit. This benefit shall pay monthly benefits for the |
1214 | member's lifetime. In the event the member dies after his or her |
1215 | retirement but before he or she has received disability |
1216 | retirement benefits for a period of 10 years, the same monthly |
1217 | benefit shall be paid to the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as |
1218 | designated by the member for the balance of such 10-year period. |
1219 | In the absence of a designated beneficiary, then the benefits |
1220 | shall be paid to the estate of the retiree. |
1221 | 2. Duty or nonduty disability with less than 10 years of |
1222 | service.-The standard form of disability retirement benefit |
1223 | shall provide monthly payments for the life of a member as set |
1224 | forth in subsection (14) or subsection (15), as applicable. |
1225 | Thereafter, beneficiary benefits shall be paid as provided in |
1226 | subsection (17), as applicable. |
1227 | (e) Reexaminations of disability retirants.-At least once |
1228 | each year during the first 5 years following a member's |
1229 | retirement on account of disability, and at least once in each |
1230 | 3-year period thereafter, the Board shall require any disability |
1231 | retirant who has not attained age 50 to undergo a medical |
1232 | examination by a physician designated by the Board. If the |
1233 | retirant refuses to submit to the medical examination, his or |
1234 | her disability pension may be suspended by the Board until his |
1235 | or her withdrawal of such refusal. If such refusal continues for |
1236 | 1 year, all of his or her rights in and to a disability pension |
1237 | may be revoked by the Board. If, upon medical examination of |
1238 | such retirant, the physician reports to the Board that the |
1239 | retirant is physically able and capable of performing the duties |
1240 | of a police officer in the rank held by him or her at the time |
1241 | of his or her retirement, the retirant shall be returned to |
1242 | employment in the Department at a salary not less than the |
1243 | salary of the rank previously held by him or her. The disability |
1244 | pension shall then terminate. |
1245 | (f) Credited service for disability retirant.-In the event |
1246 | a disability retirant is returned to employment in the |
1247 | Department, as provided in paragraph (e), he or she shall again |
1248 | become a member of the Fund and shall be restored the credited |
1249 | service at the time of the member's retirement. If he or she |
1250 | retired under a duty disability as provided in paragraph |
1251 | (15)(a), he or she shall be given service credit for the period |
1252 | he or she was in receipt of a disability pension. If the member |
1253 | retired under a nonduty disability as provided in paragraph |
1254 | (14)(a), then he or she shall not be given service credit for |
1255 | the period he or she was in receipt of a disability pension. |
1256 | (17) Death benefits.- |
1257 | (a) Nonduty death while employed by the department; 5 |
1258 | years or more.-In the event a member who has 5 or more years of |
1259 | credited service dies, and the Board finds his or her death to |
1260 | have occurred as the result of causes arising outside the |
1261 | performance of his or her duties as a member, the following |
1262 | applicable pensions shall be paid: |
1263 | 1. A pension equal to two-thirds of the pension to which |
1264 | he or she would have been entitled under subsection (9) if he or |
1265 | she had retired the day preceding the date of his or her death, |
1266 | notwithstanding that he or she might not have satisfied a |
1267 | retirement age and service requirement stipulated in subsection |
1268 | (8), provided that the "widow's pension" shall not be less than |
1269 | one-seventh of the member's final average salary. Upon the |
1270 | surviving spouse's death, the pension shall terminate. Any |
1271 | pension payable under this paragraph shall be subject to the |
1272 | provisions of subsection (18). |
1273 | 2. In the event the deceased member does not leave a |
1274 | surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse dies and the member |
1275 | leaves an unmarried child or children under age 18, each such |
1276 | child shall receive a pension of any equal share of the pension |
1277 | to which the said deceased member's surviving spouse was |
1278 | entitled or would have been entitled if he or she left a |
1279 | surviving spouse. Upon any such child's adoption, marriage, |
1280 | death, or attainment of age 18, the child's pension shall |
1281 | terminate and it shall be apportioned to the pensions payable to |
1282 | the said deceased member's remaining eligible children under the |
1283 | age of 18. In no case shall the pension payable to any such |
1284 | child exceed one-seventh of the deceased member's final average |
1285 | salary, nor shall it be less than $15 per month. A pension |
1286 | payable under this paragraph shall be subject to the provisions |
1287 | of subsection (18). |
1288 | 3. In the event the deceased member does not leave a |
1289 | surviving spouse or children eligible to receive a pension and |
1290 | the member leaves a parent or parents who the Board finds are |
1291 | dependent upon the member for at least 50 percent of his, her, |
1292 | or their financial support, each parent shall receive a pension |
1293 | of an equal share of the pension to which the member's surviving |
1294 | spouse would have been entitled if he or she had left a |
1295 | surviving spouse. Upon any such parent's remarriage or death, |
1296 | his or her pension shall terminate. Any pension payable under |
1297 | this paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of subsection |
1298 | (18). |
1299 | 4. In the event the deceased member does not leave a |
1300 | surviving spouse, children, or parents to receive a pension, |
1301 | then the death benefit, if any, shall be paid to the estate of |
1302 | the deceased member. Any retirement income payments due after |
1303 | the death of a vested member may, in the discretion of the |
1304 | Board, be paid to the member's designated beneficiary or |
1305 | beneficiaries. |
1306 |
|
1307 | In any of the above cases, the Board, in its discretion, may |
1308 | direct that the actuarial value of the monthly benefit be paid |
1309 | as a lump sum. |
1310 | (b) Duty death.-In the event a member dies and the Board |
1311 | finds his or her death to be the natural and proximate result of |
1312 | a personal injury or disease arising out of and in the course of |
1313 | his or her actual performance of the duties as a police officer |
1314 | in the employ of the City, the following applicable pensions |
1315 | shall be paid: |
1316 | 1. Effective October 1, 2003, the surviving spouse shall |
1317 | receive a pension equal to two-thirds of the member's highest 12 |
1318 | consecutive months' salary or the current top step police |
1319 | officer pay, whichever is greater. Upon the surviving spouse's |
1320 | death, the pension shall terminate. Any pension payable under |
1321 | this paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of subsection |
1322 | (18). |
1323 | 2. If, in addition to a surviving spouse, the deceased |
1324 | member leaves an unmarried child or children under age 18, each |
1325 | child shall receive a pension of $150 per month. Upon any |
1326 | child's adoption, marriage, death, or attainment of age 18, the |
1327 | child's pension shall terminate. Any pension payable under this |
1328 | paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (18). |
1329 | 3. In the event the deceased member does not leave a |
1330 | surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse dies, and the |
1331 | member leaves an unmarried child or children under age 18, each |
1332 | such child shall receive a pension of an equal share of one- |
1333 | third of the deceased member's final average salary. Upon any |
1334 | such child's adoption, marriage, death, or attainment of age 18, |
1335 | the child's pension shall terminate and it shall be apportioned |
1336 | to the pensions payable to the deceased member's remaining |
1337 | eligible children under age 18. Any pension payable under this |
1338 | paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (18). |
1339 | 4. Any pensions payable, under subparagraphs 2. and 3. |
1340 | above, to any child under age 18 shall be paid to his or her |
1341 | legal guardian. |
1342 | 5. In the event the deceased member does not leave a |
1343 | surviving spouse or children under age 18 eligible to receive a |
1344 | pension provided for in subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., or |
1345 | subparagraph 3., and the member leaves a parent or parents who |
1346 | the Board finds are dependent upon the member for at least 50 |
1347 | percent of his, her, or their financial support, then each |
1348 | parent shall receive a pension of an equal share of one-third of |
1349 | the deceased member's final average salary. Upon any such |
1350 | parent's remarriage or death, his or her pension shall |
1351 | terminate. Any pension payable under this paragraph shall be |
1352 | subject to the provisions of subsection (18). |
1353 | 6. In the event the deceased member does not leave a |
1354 | surviving spouse, children, or parents eligible to receive a |
1355 | pension, then the death benefit, if any, shall be paid to the |
1356 | estate of the deceased member. Any retirement income payments |
1357 | due after the death of a vested member may, in the discretion of |
1358 | the Board, be paid to the member's designated beneficiary or |
1359 | beneficiaries. |
1360 |
|
1361 | In any of the above cases, the Board, in its discretion, may |
1362 | direct that the actuarial value of the monthly benefit be paid |
1363 | as a lump sum. |
1364 | (c) Death after retirement.-Upon the death of a retirant, |
1365 | the following applicable pensions shall be paid, subject to the |
1366 | provisions of subsection (18): |
1367 | 1. The surviving spouse of the retirant shall receive a |
1368 | pension of two-thirds of the retirant's pension, provided that |
1369 | the retirant was receiving a pension under paragraph (9)(a). |
1370 | Upon the surviving spouse's death, the pension shall terminate. |
1371 | 2. In the event the deceased retirant does not leave a |
1372 | surviving spouse eligible to receive a pension, or if the |
1373 | surviving spouse dies and he or she leaves an unmarried child or |
1374 | children under age 18, each child shall receive a pension of an |
1375 | equal share of two-thirds of the deceased retirant's pension. |
1376 | Upon any child's adoption, marriage, death, or attainment of age |
1377 | 18, the child's pension shall terminate and it shall be |
1378 | apportioned to the pensions payable to the deceased retirant's |
1379 | remaining eligible children under age 18. In no case shall the |
1380 | pension payable to any such child exceed 20 percent of the |
1381 | deceased retirant's pension, or be less than $15 per month. |
1382 | 3. In the event the deceased retirant does not leave a |
1383 | surviving spouse or children eligible to a pension provided for |
1384 | in subparagraphs 1. and 2. above, and he or she leaves a parent |
1385 | or parents who the Board finds are dependent upon the retirant |
1386 | for at least 50 percent of his, her, or their financial support, |
1387 | each parent shall receive a pension of an equal share of two- |
1388 | thirds of the deceased retirant's pension. Upon any parent's |
1389 | remarriage or death, his or her pension shall terminate. |
1390 | 4. In the event the deceased member does not leave a |
1391 | surviving spouse, children, or parents eligible to receive a |
1392 | pension, then the death benefit, if any, shall be paid to the |
1393 | estate of the deceased member. Any retirement income payments |
1394 | due after the death of a vested member may, in the discretion of |
1395 | the Board, be paid to the member's designated beneficiary or |
1396 | beneficiaries. |
1397 |
|
1398 | In any of the above cases, the Board, in its discretion, may |
1399 | direct that the actuarial value of the monthly benefit be paid |
1400 | as a lump sum. |
1401 | (18) Workers' compensation offset.-The pension benefits |
1402 | payable under this act shall not be offset by any workers' |
1403 | compensation benefits payable as a result of the disability or |
1404 | death of a member, except to the extent that the total of the |
1405 | pension benefit and workers' compensation benefit exceeds the |
1406 | member's average monthly wage. |
1407 | (19) Member's contributions; refunds.- |
1408 | (a) Member's contributions.- |
1409 | 1. The member shall contribute 7 percent of his or her |
1410 | salary to the Fund. Effective the first full payroll period |
1411 | after January 1, 2005, the member shall contribute 9 percent of |
1412 | his or her salary to the Fund, which shall be deducted each pay |
1413 | period from the salary of each member in the Department. |
1414 | Effective the first full payroll period after January 1, 2006, |
1415 | the member shall contribute 10 percent of his or her salary to |
1416 | the Fund, which shall be deducted each pay period from the |
1417 | salary of each member in the Department. Effective the first |
1418 | full payroll period after January 1, 2007, the member shall |
1419 | contribute 11 percent of his or her salary to the Fund, which |
1420 | shall be deducted each pay period from the salary of each member |
1421 | in the Department. All amounts of member contributions that are |
1422 | deducted shall be immediately paid over to the Pension Fund. Any |
1423 | contribution amount over 7 percent is to be used to purchase |
1424 | eligibility for participation in the postretirement health |
1425 | insurance benefits. |
1426 | 2. The City shall cause the contributions provided for in |
1427 | subparagraph 1. to be deducted from the compensation of each |
1428 | member on each payroll, for each pay period, so long as he or |
1429 | she remains a member of the Fund. The member's contributions |
1430 | provided for herein shall be made, notwithstanding that the |
1431 | minimum compensation provided by law for any member is thereby |
1432 | changed. Each member shall be deemed to consent and agree to the |
1433 | deductions made and provided for herein. Payment of |
1434 | compensation, less said deductions, shall be a full and complete |
1435 | discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands whatsoever |
1436 | for the services rendered by him or her during the period |
1437 | covered by such payment, except as to benefits provided by this |
1438 | act. When deducted, each of said contributions shall be paid |
1439 | into the Fund and credited to the individual member from whose |
1440 | compensation said deduction was made. |
1441 | 3. In addition to the contribution deducted from the |
1442 | compensation of a member, as hereinbefore provided, a member |
1443 | shall deposit in the Fund, by a single contribution or by an |
1444 | increased rate of contribution, as approved by the Board of |
1445 | Trustees, the amount of previously withdrawn member |
1446 | contributions not repaid to the Fund, together with regular |
1447 | interest from the date of withdrawal to the date of repayment. |
1448 | In no case shall any member be given credit for service rendered |
1449 | prior to the date he withdrew his aggregate contributions until |
1450 | he or she repays to the member's deposit account all amounts due |
1451 | the account by such member. |
1452 | (b) Refund of member's contributions.- |
1453 | 1. Should any member cease to be employed by the City as a |
1454 | police officer and not be entitled to a pension payable from the |
1455 | Fund, upon application to and approval by the Board, he or she |
1456 | shall be paid the aggregate contributions standing to his or her |
1457 | credit in the Fund, without interest, less any benefits paid to |
1458 | him or her. In accordance with paragraph (2)(q), a member who |
1459 | has ceased to be employed by the City as a police officer may |
1460 | elect to voluntarily leave his or her contributions in the |
1461 | member's deposit account for a period of up to 5 years, pending |
1462 | the possibility of being rehired by the Department. If the |
1463 | member is not reemployed at the expiration of 5 years following |
1464 | the date the member ceased to be employed by the City as a |
1465 | police officer, all contributions remaining in the member's |
1466 | deposit account shall be refunded without interest. |
1467 | 2. Upon the death of a member, if no pension becomes |
1468 | payable on account of his or her death, the aggregate |
1469 | contributions standing to the member's credit in the Fund at the |
1470 | time of death shall be paid to his or her designated |
1471 | beneficiary. If there be no such designated person surviving the |
1472 | member, his or her aggregate contributions shall be paid to his |
1473 | or her estate in accordance with subsection (17). |
1474 | 3. Repayments Payments of refunds of a member's aggregate |
1475 | contributions, in accordance with subsection (6) and as provided |
1476 | in this paragraph, may be made in bimonthly monthly installments |
1477 | according to such rules and regulations as the Board of Trustees |
1478 | shall from time to time adopt. |
1479 | (20) Sources of revenue.- |
1480 | (a) Contributions credited to Fund.-The contributions to |
1481 | be credited to the Fund shall consist of, but shall not be |
1482 | limited to, the following sources of revenue: |
1483 | 1. Taxes of insurance companies.-The moneys returned to |
1484 | the City as provided by chapter 185, Florida Statutes, shall be |
1485 | used to fund the share account benefit described in subsection |
1486 | (11). The City shall not opt out of participation in chapter |
1487 | 185, Florida Statutes, or any similar statutory enactment unless |
1488 | exigent circumstances exist, such as the bankruptcy of the City |
1489 | or changes or amendments to the statute regarding extra |
1490 | benefits. If any statutory changes are made by the Legislature, |
1491 | the City and the Board shall renegotiate the impact of such |
1492 | changes, if necessary. |
1493 | 2. City contribution.-The City shall contribute to the |
1494 | Fund annually an amount which, together with the contributions |
1495 | from the members and the amount derived from the premium tax |
1496 | provided in chapter 185, Florida Statutes, and other income |
1497 | sources as authorized by law, shall be sufficient to meet the |
1498 | normal cost of the Fund and to fund the actuarial deficiency |
1499 | over a period of not more than 40 years, provided that the net |
1500 | increase, if any, in unfunded liability of the Fund arising from |
1501 | significant amendments or other changes shall be amortized |
1502 | within 30 plan years. |
1503 | 3. Member contributions.-As provided in subsection (19). |
1504 | 4. Gifts, etc.-All gifts, bequests, and devises when |
1505 | donated to the Fund. |
1506 | 5. Interest from deposits.-All accretions to the Fund by |
1507 | way of interest on bank deposits or otherwise. |
1508 | 6. Other sources.-All other sources of income now or |
1509 | hereafter authorized by law for the augmentation of the Fund. |
1510 | (b) Actuarial valuations.-The Fund shall be actuarially |
1511 | evaluated at least once in each 3-year period. |
1512 | (21) Investments.- |
1513 | (a) The Board shall have the power and authority to invest |
1514 | and reinvest the moneys of the Fund and to hold, purchase, sell, |
1515 | assign, transfer, and dispose of any securities and investments |
1516 | held in the Fund, including the power and authority to employ |
1517 | counseling or investment management services. The aim of the |
1518 | investment policies shall be to preserve the integrity and |
1519 | security of Fund principal, to maintain a balanced investment |
1520 | portfolio, to maintain and enhance the value of the Fund |
1521 | principal, and to secure the maximum total return on investments |
1522 | that is consonant with safety of principal, provided that such |
1523 | investments and reinvestments shall be limited only by the |
1524 | investments permitted by the investment policy guidelines |
1525 | adopted by the Board in accordance with Florida law. |
1526 | Notwithstanding the foregoing, investments in foreign |
1527 | investments are limited in accordance with section |
1528 | 185.06(1)(b)4., Florida Statutes. |
1529 | 1. The Board members must discharge these duties with |
1530 | respect to the Plan solely in the interest of the participants |
1531 | and beneficiaries and: |
1532 | a.1. For the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to |
1533 | participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable |
1534 | expenses of administering the Plan; |
1535 | b.2. With the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under |
1536 | the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting |
1537 | in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in |
1538 | the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like |
1539 | aims; and |
1540 | c.3. By diversifying the investments of the Plan so as to |
1541 | minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the |
1542 | circumstances it is clearly prudent not to do so. |
1543 | 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection |
1544 | and as provided in section 215.473, Florida Statutes, the Board |
1545 | must identify and publicly report any direct or indirect |
1546 | holdings it may have in any scrutinized company, as defined in |
1547 | section 215.473, Florida Statutes. Beginning January 1, 2010, |
1548 | the Board must proceed to sell, redeem, divest, or withdraw all |
1549 | publicly traded securities it may have directly in any |
1550 | scrutinized company. The divestiture of any such security must |
1551 | be completed by September 10, 2010. The Board and its named |
1552 | officers or investment advisors may not be deemed to have |
1553 | breached their fiduciary duty in any action taken to dispose of |
1554 | any such security, and the Board shall have satisfactorily |
1555 | discharged the fiduciary duties of loyalty, prudence, and sole |
1556 | and exclusive benefit to the participants of the Pension Fund |
1557 | and their beneficiaries if the Board's actions are consistent |
1558 | with the duties imposed by section 215.473, Florida Statutes, as |
1559 | provided for in section 185.06(7), Florida Statutes, and the |
1560 | manner of the disposition, if any, is reasonable as to the means |
1561 | chosen. For purposes of determining which companies are |
1562 | scrutinized companies, the Board may utilize the list of |
1563 | scrutinized companies as developed by the State Board of |
1564 | Administration. No person may bring any civil, criminal, or |
1565 | administrative action against the Board of Trustees or any |
1566 | employee, officer, director, or advisor of such Pension Fund |
1567 | based upon the divestiture of any security pursuant to this |
1568 | subparagraph. |
1569 | (b) Professional counsel.-Board shall be required to |
1570 | engage the services of professional investment counsel to assist |
1571 | and advise the Trustees in the performance of their duties. |
1572 | (c) Restricted use of assets.-The assets of the Police |
1573 | Pension Fund shall be used only for the payment of benefits and |
1574 | other disbursements authorized by this act and shall be used for |
1575 | no other purpose. |
1576 | (d) Performance evaluation and manager selection.-At least |
1577 | once every 3 years, the Board of Trustees shall retain an |
1578 | independent consultant professionally qualified to evaluate the |
1579 | performance of its professional money manager or investment |
1580 | counsel. The independent consultant shall make recommendations |
1581 | to the Board of Trustees regarding the selection of money |
1582 | managers for the next investment term. These recommendations |
1583 | shall be considered by the Board of Trustees at its next |
1584 | regularly scheduled meeting. The date, time, place, and subject |
1585 | of this meeting shall be advertised in a newspaper of general |
1586 | circulation in the municipality at least 10 days prior to the |
1587 | date of the hearing. |
1588 | (e) Administrative expenses.-The administrative expenses |
1589 | of the Fund shall be paid by the Fund. |
1590 | (22) Existing benefits continued.-This act, and any |
1591 | amendments hereto, shall not be construed to increase or |
1592 | decrease the benefits payable to, or on account of, any member |
1593 | who retired or died prior to October 1, 1987. |
1594 | (23) Assignments prohibited; voluntary withholding.- |
1595 | (a) The pensions or other benefits accrued or accruing to |
1596 | any person under the provisions of this act and the accumulated |
1597 | contributions and the cash securities in the Fund created under |
1598 | this act shall not be subject to execution or attachment or to |
1599 | any legal process whatsoever and shall be unassignable. However, |
1600 | pursuant to a court support order, the trustees may direct that |
1601 | retirement benefits be paid for alimony or child support in |
1602 | accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Board of |
1603 | Trustees. |
1604 | (b) Upon written request by the retiree, the Board may |
1605 | authorize the Plan administrator to withhold from the monthly |
1606 | retirement payment funds necessary to: |
1607 | 1. Pay for benefits being received through the City; |
1608 | 2. Pay the certified bargaining agent; or |
1609 | 3. Pay for premiums for accident, health, and long-term |
1610 | care insurance for the retiree's spouse and dependents. |
1611 |
|
1612 | A retirement plan does not incur liability for participation in |
1613 | this permissive program if the Board's actions are taken in good |
1614 | faith pursuant to section 185.05(6), Florida Statutes. |
1615 | (24) Subrogation rights; loss of pension rights.- |
1616 | (a) In the event a person becomes entitled to a pension or |
1617 | other benefits payable from the Fund as a result of an accident |
1618 | or injury caused by the act of a third party, the City shall be |
1619 | subrogated to the rights of the said person against such third |
1620 | person to the extent of the benefits which the City pays or |
1621 | becomes liable to pay hereunder. |
1622 | (b) No person shall be entitled to a pension under this |
1623 | act who is convicted of a specified offense as provided in |
1624 | section 112.3173, Florida Statutes. |
1625 | (25) Ordinances applicable.-All ordinances of the City |
1626 | applicable to chapter 185, Florida Statutes, are hereby made |
1627 | applicable to this act with equal force and effect. No proposed |
1628 | change or amendment to this act shall be adopted without the |
1629 | approval required by section 185.35(2), Florida Statutes. |
1630 | (26) Review procedures.- |
1631 | (a) The applicant for benefits under this act may, within |
1632 | 20 days after being informed of the denial of his or her request |
1633 | for pension benefits, appeal said denial by filing a reply to |
1634 | the proposed order with the pension's coordinator. If no appeal |
1635 | is filed within the time period specified, then the proposed |
1636 | order shall be final. |
1637 | (b) The Board of Trustees shall hold a hearing within 45 |
1638 | days after the receipt of the appeal. Written notice of said |
1639 | hearing shall be sent by certified mail to the applicant 10 days |
1640 | prior to the hearing, at the address listed on the application. |
1641 | (c) The procedures at the hearing shall be as follows: |
1642 | 1. All parties shall have an opportunity to respond, to |
1643 | present physical and testimonial evidence and argument on all |
1644 | issues involved, to conduct cross-examination, to submit |
1645 | rebuttal evidence, and to be represented by counsel. Medical |
1646 | reports and depositions may be accepted in lieu of live |
1647 | testimony, at the Board's discretion. |
1648 | 2. All witnesses shall be sworn. |
1649 | 3. The applicant and the Board shall have an opportunity |
1650 | to question all witnesses. |
1651 | 4. Formal rules of evidence and formal rules of civil |
1652 | procedure shall not apply. The proceedings shall comply with the |
1653 | essential requirements of due process and law. |
1654 | 5. The record in a case governed by this subsection shall |
1655 | consist only of: |
1656 | a. A tape recording of the hearing, to be taped and |
1657 | maintained as part of the official files of the Board of |
1658 | Trustees by the pension's secretary. |
1659 | b. Evidence received or considered. |
1660 | c. All notices, pleadings, motions, and intermediate |
1661 | rulings. |
1662 | d. Any decisions, opinions, proposed or recommended |
1663 | orders, or reports by the Board of Trustees. |
1664 | (d) Within 5 days after the hearing, the Board shall take |
1665 | one of the following actions: |
1666 | 1. Grant the pension benefits by overturning the proposed |
1667 | order by majority vote. |
1668 | 2. Deny the benefits and approve the proposed order as a |
1669 | final order, after making any changes in the order that the |
1670 | Board feels is necessary. |
1671 | (e) Findings of fact by the Board shall be based on |
1672 | competent, substantial evidence on the record. |
1673 | (f) Within 20 calendar days after rendering its order, the |
1674 | Board of Trustees shall send by certified mail a copy of said |
1675 | order to the applicant. |
1676 | (g) The applicant may seek review of the order of the |
1677 | Board of Trustees by filing a petition for writ of certiorari |
1678 | with the circuit court within 30 days. |
1679 | (27) Lump sum payment of small retirement income.- |
1680 | Notwithstanding any provision of the Fund to the contrary, if |
1681 | the monthly retirement income payable to any person entitled to |
1682 | benefits hereunder is less than $30 or if the single sum value |
1683 | of the accrued retirement income is less than $1,000 $5,000 as |
1684 | of the date of retirement or termination of service, whichever |
1685 | is applicable, the Board of Trustees, in the exercise of its |
1686 | discretion, may specify that the actuarial equivalent of such |
1687 | retirement income be paid in lump sum. |
1688 | (28) Pickup of member contributions.-Effective the first |
1689 | day of the first full payroll period of the first calendar |
1690 | quarter following receipt of a favorable determination letter |
1691 | from the Internal Revenue Service, the City shall pick up the |
1692 | member contribution required by this section. The contributions |
1693 | so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions in |
1694 | determining tax treatment under the United States Internal |
1695 | Revenue Code. The City shall pick up the member contributions |
1696 | from funds established and available for salaries, which funds |
1697 | would otherwise have been designated as member contributions and |
1698 | paid to the Fund. Member contributions picked up by the City |
1699 | pursuant to this subsection shall be treated for purposes of |
1700 | making a refund of members' contributions, and for all other |
1701 | purposes of this and other laws, in the same manner and to the |
1702 | same extent as member contributions made prior to the effective |
1703 | date of this section. The intent of this section is to comply |
1704 | with s. 414(H)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
1705 | (29) Internal Revenue Code limits.- |
1706 | (a) In no event may a member's annual benefit exceed |
1707 | $160,000 (adjusted for cost of living in accordance with s. |
1708 | 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code). |
1709 | (b) If a member has less than 10 years of service with the |
1710 | City, the applicable limitation in paragraph (a) shall be |
1711 | reduced by multiplying such limitation by a fraction, not to |
1712 | exceed 1. The numerator of such fraction shall be the number of |
1713 | years, or part thereof, of service with the City; the |
1714 | denominator shall be 10 years. |
1715 | (c) For purposes of this subsection, "annual benefit" |
1716 | means a benefit payable annually in the form of a straight life |
1717 | annuity with no ancillary incidental benefits and with no member |
1718 | or rollover contributions. To the extent that ancillary benefits |
1719 | are provided, the limits set forth in paragraph (a) shall be |
1720 | reduced actuarially, using an interest rate assumption equal to |
1721 | the greater of 5 percent or the rate being used for actuarial |
1722 | equivalence, to reflect such ancillary benefits. |
1723 | (d) If distribution of retirement benefits begins before |
1724 | age 62, the dollar limitation as described in paragraph (a) |
1725 | shall be reduced, using an interest rate assumption equal to the |
1726 | greater of 5 percent or the interest rate used for actuarial |
1727 | equivalence; however, retirement benefits shall not be reduced |
1728 | below $75,000 if payment of benefits begins at or after age 55 |
1729 | and not below the actuarial equivalent of $75,000 if payment of |
1730 | benefits begins before age 55. For a member with 15 or more |
1731 | years of service with the City, the reductions described above |
1732 | shall not reduce such member's benefit below $50,000 (adjusted |
1733 | for cost of living in accordance with s. 415(d) of the Internal |
1734 | Revenue Code, but only for the year in which such adjustment is |
1735 | effective). If retirement benefits begin after age 65, the |
1736 | dollar limitation of paragraph (a) shall be increased |
1737 | actuarially by using an interest assumption equal to the lesser |
1738 | of 5 percent or the rate used for actuarial equivalence. |
1739 | (e) Compensation in excess of limitations set forth in s. |
1740 | 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be disregarded. |
1741 | The limitation on compensation for an eligible employee shall |
1742 | not be less than the amount that was allowed to be taken into |
1743 | account hereunder as in effect on July 1, 1993. "Eligible |
1744 | employee" is an individual who was a member before the first |
1745 | plan year beginning after December 31, 1995. |
1746 | (30) Required distributions.- |
1747 | (a) In accordance with s. 401(a)(9) of the Internal |
1748 | Revenue Code, all benefits under this plan shall be distributed, |
1749 | beginning not later than the required beginning date set forth |
1750 | below, over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of |
1751 | the police officers or the life expectancy of the police officer |
1752 | and a beneficiary designated in accordance with paragraph |
1753 | (9)(e). |
1754 | (b) Any and all benefit payments shall begin by the later |
1755 | of: |
1756 | 1. April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar |
1757 | year of the member's retirement date; or |
1758 | 2. April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar |
1759 | year in which the member attains age 70-1/2. |
1760 | (c) If an employee dies before his or her entire vested |
1761 | interest has been distributed to him or her, the remaining |
1762 | portion of such interest shall be distributed at least as |
1763 | rapidly as provided for under subsection (17). |
1764 | (31)(a) Rollovers from qualified plans.-A member may roll |
1765 | over all or a part of his or her interest in another qualified |
1766 | plan to the Fund, provided all of the following requirements are |
1767 | met: |
1768 | 1. Some or all of the amount distributed from the other |
1769 | plan is rolled over to this plan no later than the 60th day |
1770 | after distribution was made from the Plan or, if distributions |
1771 | are made in installments, no later than the 60th day after the |
1772 | last distribution was made. |
1773 | 2. The amount rolled over to this Fund does not include |
1774 | any amount contributed by the member to the Plan on a post tax |
1775 | basis. |
1776 | 3. The rollover is made in cash. |
1777 | 4. The member certifies that the distribution is eligible |
1778 | for a rollover. |
1779 | 5. Any amount which the Trustees accept as a rollover to |
1780 | this Fund shall, along with any earnings allocated to them, be |
1781 | fully vested at all times. |
1782 |
|
1783 | A rollover may also be made to this Plan from an individual |
1784 | retirement account qualified under s. 408 of the Internal |
1785 | Revenue Code when the individual retirement account was merely |
1786 | used as a conduit for funds from another qualified plan and the |
1787 | rollover is made in accordance with the rules provided in |
1788 | subparagraphs 1.-5. Amounts rolled over may be segregated from |
1789 | other Fund assets. The trustees shall separately account for |
1790 | gains, losses, and administrative expenses of these rollovers as |
1791 | provided for in subsections (11) and (13). In addition, the Fund |
1792 | may accept the direct transfer of a member's benefits from |
1793 | another qualified retirement plan or an Internal Revenue Code |
1794 | section 457 plan. The Fund shall account for direct transfers in |
1795 | the same manner as a rollover and shall obtain certification |
1796 | from the member that the amounts are eligible for a rollover or |
1797 | direct transfer to this Fund. |
1798 | (b) Transfer of accumulated leave.- |
1799 | 1. Members who are eligible to receive a lump-sum payment |
1800 | for accumulated leave payable upon separation and who have funds |
1801 | remaining after the contributions to the health savings account |
1802 | as required by the collective bargaining agreement shall have |
1803 | the remaining leave payment transferred to the Fund up to the |
1804 | amount permitted by law. Any additional amounts shall be paid |
1805 | directly to the member. Members on whose behalf leave has been |
1806 | transferred shall maintain the entire amount of the transferred |
1807 | leave balance in the DROP or Share Account. |
1808 | 2. If a member on whose behalf the City makes a |
1809 | transferred leave balance to the Plan dies after retirement or |
1810 | other separation, then any person who would have received a |
1811 | death benefit had the member died in service immediately prior |
1812 | to the date of retirement or other separation shall be entitled |
1813 | to receive an amount equal to the transferred leave balance in a |
1814 | lump sum. In the case of a surviving spouse or former spouse, an |
1815 | election may be made to transfer the leave balance to an |
1816 | eligible retirement plan in lieu of the lump sum payment. |
1817 | Failure to make such an election by the surviving spouse or |
1818 | former spouse within 60 days after the member's death shall be |
1819 | deemed an election to receive the lump sum payment. |
1820 | 3. The Board, by rule, shall prescribe the method for |
1821 | implementing the provisions of this paragraph. |
1822 | 4. Amounts transferred under this section shall remain |
1823 | invested in the Fund for a period of not less than 1 year. |
1824 | (32) Rollover distributions.- |
1825 | (a) This subsection applies to distributions made on or |
1826 | after January 1, 1993. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan |
1827 | to the contrary that would otherwise limit a distributee's |
1828 | election under this subsection, a distributee may elect, at the |
1829 | time and in the manner prescribed by the Board of Trustees, to |
1830 | have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid |
1831 | directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the |
1832 | distributee in a direct rollover. |
1833 | (b) Definitions.- |
1834 | 1. "Eligible rollover distribution" is any distribution of |
1835 | all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the |
1836 | distributee, except that an eligible rollover does not include |
1837 | any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal |
1838 | periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for |
1839 | the life (or life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint |
1840 | lives (or joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the |
1841 | distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a specified period |
1842 | of 10 years or more; any distribution to the extent such |
1843 | distribution is required under s. 401(a)(9) of the Internal |
1844 | Revenue Code; and the portion of any distribution that is not |
1845 | includable in gross income. |
1846 | 2. "Eligible retirement plan" is an individual retirement |
1847 | account described in s. 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, an |
1848 | individual retirement annuity described in s. 408(b) of the |
1849 | Internal Revenue Code, an annuity plan described in s. 403(a) of |
1850 | the Internal Revenue Code, or a qualified trust described in s. |
1851 | 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code that accepts the |
1852 | distributee's eligible rollover distribution. However, in the |
1853 | case of an eligible rollover distribution to the surviving |
1854 | spouse, an "eligible retirement plan" is an individual |
1855 | retirement account or individual retirement annuity. |
1856 | 3. "Distributee" includes an employee or former employee. |
1857 | In addition, the employee's or former employee's surviving |
1858 | spouse and the employee's or former employee's spouse or former |
1859 | spouse who is entitled to payment for alimony and child support |
1860 | under a domestic relations order determined to be qualified by |
1861 | this Fund are distributees with regard to the interest of the |
1862 | spouse or former spouse. |
1863 | 4. "Direct rollover" is a payment by the Plan to the |
1864 | eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee. |
1865 | (33) Miscellaneous requirements.- |
1866 | (a) No benefit of any kind shall be payable from the |
1867 | assets of the Pension Fund unless specifically provided for in |
1868 | this act; however, the Board of Trustees, with the approval of |
1869 | the City, may grant ad hoc benefits after a public hearing and |
1870 | acceptance by the state of an actuarial impact statement |
1871 | submitted pursuant to part VII of chapter 112, Florida Statutes. |
1872 | (b) The City may not offset any part of its required |
1873 | annual contribution by the Fund's assets except as determined in |
1874 | an actuarial valuation, the report for which is determined to be |
1875 | state accepted pursuant to part VII of chapter 112, Florida |
1876 | Statutes. |
1877 | (c) All provisions of this act and operations of the |
1878 | Pension Fund shall be carried out in compliance with part VII of |
1879 | chapter 112, Florida Statutes. |
1880 | (d)1. It is unlawful for a person to willfully and |
1881 | knowingly make, or cause to be made, or to assist, conspire |
1882 | with, or urge another to make, or cause to be made, any false, |
1883 | fraudulent, or misleading oral or written statement or to |
1884 | withhold or conceal material information to obtain any benefit |
1885 | under this Plan. |
1886 | 2.a. A person who violates subparagraph 1. commits a |
1887 | misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in |
1888 | section 775.082 or section 775.083, Florida Statutes. |
1889 | b. In addition to any applicable criminal penalty, upon |
1890 | conviction for a violation described in subparagraph 1., a |
1891 | participant or beneficiary of this Plan may, in the discretion |
1892 | of the Board of Trustees, be required to forfeit the right to |
1893 | receive any or all benefits to which the person would otherwise |
1894 | be entitled under this Plan. For purposes of this sub- |
1895 | subparagraph, "conviction" means a determination of guilt that |
1896 | is the result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether |
1897 | adjudication is withheld. |
1898 | (34) Actuarial assumptions.-The following actuarial |
1899 | assumptions shall be used for all purposes in connection with |
1900 | this Fund, effective October 1, 1999: |
1901 | (a) The assumed investment rate of return shall be 8.25 |
1902 | percent. |
1903 | (b) The period for amortizing current, future, and past |
1904 | actuarial gains or losses shall be 20 years. |
1905 |
|
1906 | The consequences of the change in assumptions in paragraphs (a) |
1907 | and (b) shall first take effect during the October 1, 1999- |
1908 | September 30, 2000, fiscal year of the City of West Palm Beach. |
1909 | To the extent that effective dates or legislative delays might |
1910 | influence the direct application to the October 1, 1999- |
1911 | September 30, 2000, fiscal year of the actuarial cost estimate |
1912 | dated March 24, 2000, there shall be a minimum contribution |
1913 | reserve established by the Pension Fund for the City of West |
1914 | Palm Beach. The reserve shall be credited with any amounts |
1915 | contributed to the Pension Fund by the City of West Palm Beach |
1916 | during the October 1, 1999-September 30, 2000, fiscal year in |
1917 | excess of $1,462,965. This amount has been determined by |
1918 | combining the contribution requirement from the September 30, |
1919 | 1998, actuarial valuation report dated May 7, 1999, with the |
1920 | subsequent actuarial cost estimate dated March 24, 2000, both of |
1921 | which were prepared by the Fund's actuary. |
1922 | (35) Other police officer or military service.- |
1923 | (a) Prior police officer or military service.-Unless |
1924 | otherwise prohibited by law, the years, or fractional parts of |
1925 | years, that a member previously served as a police officer with |
1926 | the City during a period of employment and for which accumulated |
1927 | contributions were withdrawn from the fund, or the years, or |
1928 | fractional parts of years, that a member served as a police |
1929 | officer for this or any other municipal, county, state, or |
1930 | federal law enforcement office or any time served in the |
1931 | military service of the Armed Forces of the United States shall |
1932 | be added to the years of credited service, provided that the |
1933 | member contributes to the fund the sum that would have been |
1934 | contributed, based on the member's salary and the employee |
1935 | contribution rate in effect at the time that the credited |
1936 | service is requested, had the member been a member of this |
1937 | system for the years, or fractional parts of years, for which |
1938 | the credit is requested, plus the amount actuarially determined, |
1939 | such that the crediting of service does not result in any cost |
1940 | to the fund, plus payment of costs for all professional services |
1941 | rendered to the Board in connection with the purchase of years |
1942 | of credited service. |
1943 | 1. Payment by the member of the required amount may be |
1944 | made within 6 months after the request for credit and in one |
1945 | lump sum payment, or the member may buy back this time over a |
1946 | period equal to the length of time being purchased or 5 years, |
1947 | whichever is greater, at an interest rate which is equal to the |
1948 | Fund's actuarial assumption. A member may request to purchase |
1949 | some or all years of service. |
1950 | 2. The credit purchased under this subsection shall count |
1951 | for all purposes, except vesting. |
1952 | 3. In no event, however, may credited service be purchased |
1953 | pursuant to this section for prior service with any other |
1954 | municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement office, if |
1955 | such prior service forms or will form the basis of a retirement |
1956 | benefit or pension from another retirement system or plan. |
1957 | 4. In the event that a member who is in the process of |
1958 | purchasing service suffers a disability and is awarded a benefit |
1959 | from the plan, the member shall not be required to complete the |
1960 | buyback. However, contributions made prior to the date the |
1961 | disability payment begins will be retained by the Fund. |
1962 | 5. If a member who has either completed the purchase of |
1963 | service or is in the process of purchasing service terminates |
1964 | before vesting, the member's contributions shall be refunded, |
1965 | including the buyback contributions. |
1966 | 6. A request to purchase service may be made at any time |
1967 | during the course of employment; however, the buyback is a one- |
1968 | time opportunity. |
1969 | 7. A member who previously served as a police officer with |
1970 | the City during a period of employment and for which accumulated |
1971 | contributions were withdrawn from the Fund may recontribute such |
1972 | withdrawn contributions plus interest from the date of |
1973 | withdrawal to the date of repayment in accordance with |
1974 | subsection (6). |
1975 | (b) Intervening military service.-In determining the |
1976 | creditable service of any police officer, credit for up to 5 |
1977 | years of the time spent in the military service of the Armed |
1978 | Forces of the United States shall be added to the years of |
1979 | actual service without employee contribution, if: |
1980 | 1. The police officer is in the active employ of the |
1981 | municipality prior to such service and leaves a position, other |
1982 | than a temporary position, for the purpose of voluntary or |
1983 | involuntary service in the Armed Forces of the United States. |
1984 | 2. The police officer is entitled to reemployment under |
1985 | the provisions of the federal Uniformed Services Employment and |
1986 | Reemployment Rights Act. |
1987 | 3. The police officer returns to his or her employment as |
1988 | a police officer of the municipality within 1 year after the |
1989 | date of his or her release from such active service, except |
1990 | that, effective January 1, 2007, members who die or become |
1991 | disabled while on active duty military service shall be entitled |
1992 | to the rights of this section even though such member was not |
1993 | reemployed by the City. A member who dies or becomes disabled |
1994 | while on active duty military service shall be treated as though |
1995 | he or she were reemployed the day before he or she became |
1996 | disabled or died, were credited with the service he or she would |
1997 | have been entitled to under this section, and then either died a |
1998 | nonduty death while employed or became disabled from a nonduty |
1999 | disability. |
2000 | (36) Reemployment after retirement.- |
2001 | (a) Reemployment by public or private employer.-Any |
2002 | retiree who is retired under this Plan, except for disability |
2003 | retirement as previously provided for, may be reemployed by any |
2004 | public or private employer, except the City, and may receive |
2005 | compensation from that employment without limiting or |
2006 | restricting in any way the retirement benefits payable under |
2007 | this Plan. Reemployment by the City on or after August 1, 2008, |
2008 | shall be subject to the limitations set forth in this section. |
2009 | (b) Reemployment after normal retirement outside Police |
2010 | Department.-Any retiree who is retired under normal retirement |
2011 | pursuant to this Plan and who is reemployed by the City after |
2012 | that retirement shall, upon being reemployed, continue receipt |
2013 | of benefits, provided the retiree is not hired into the Police |
2014 | Department. Upon reemployment, the retiree is eligible to |
2015 | participate in the plan offered to new employees of that |
2016 | department, and the retiree shall be deemed a new employee |
2017 | subject to any vesting and contribution requirements of that |
2018 | plan. The benefit paid under this Plan shall not be changed in |
2019 | any way. |
2020 | (c) Reemployment after normal retirement in Police |
2021 | Department.-Any retiree who is retired after normal retirement |
2022 | pursuant to this Plan shall not be reemployed by the Police |
2023 | Department as a police officer or in any position that |
2024 | supervises police officers. The pension of a retiree who is |
2025 | reemployed by the Police Department as a police officer or in |
2026 | any position that supervises police officers shall stop until |
2027 | the member terminates employment. However, a retiree who is |
2028 | reemployed by the Police Department neither as a police officer |
2029 | nor in any position that supervises police officers is eligible |
2030 | to participate in the plan offered to new employees of that |
2031 | employee classification, and the retiree shall be deemed a new |
2032 | employee subject to any vesting and contribution requirements of |
2033 | that plan. The benefit paid under this Plan shall not be changed |
2034 | in any way. |
2035 | (d) Reemployment of terminated vested persons.-Reemployed |
2036 | terminated vested persons shall not be subject to the provisions |
2037 | of this section until such time as they begin to actually |
2038 | receive benefits but shall be subject to paragraph (9)(c). Upon |
2039 | receipt of benefits, terminated vested persons shall be treated |
2040 | as normal retirees for purposes of applying the provisions of |
2041 | this section. |
2042 | (e) DROP participants.-Members or retirees who were in the |
2043 | deferred retirement option plan shall have the options provided |
2044 | for in this section for reemployment after termination of |
2045 | employment as if the retiree were a retiree under normal |
2046 | retirement. |
2047 | (37) Termination of the Plan.-Upon termination of the Plan |
2048 | by the City for any reason, or because of a transfer, merger, or |
2049 | consolidation of governmental units, services, or functions as |
2050 | provided in chapter 121, Florida Statutes, or upon written |
2051 | notice to the Board by the City that contributions under the |
2052 | Plan are being permanently discontinued, the rights of all |
2053 | employees to benefits accrued to the date of such termination or |
2054 | discontinuance and the amounts credited to the employees' |
2055 | accounts are nonforfeitable. The Fund shall be distributed in |
2056 | accordance with the following procedures: |
2057 | (a) The Board shall determine the date of distribution and |
2058 | the asset value required to fund all the nonforfeitable benefits |
2059 | after taking into account the expenses of such distribution. The |
2060 | Board shall inform the City if additional assets are required, |
2061 | in which event the City shall continue to financially support |
2062 | the Plan until all nonforfeitable benefits have been funded. |
2063 | (b) The Board shall determine the method of distribution |
2064 | of the asset value and whether distribution shall be by payment |
2065 | in cash, by the maintenance of another or substituted trust |
2066 | fund, by the purchase of insured annuities, or otherwise for |
2067 | each police officer entitled to benefits under the Plan, as |
2068 | specified in paragraph (c). |
2069 | (c) The Board shall distribute the asset value as of the |
2070 | date of termination in the manner set forth in this subsection |
2071 | on the basis that the amount required to provide any given |
2072 | retirement income is the actuarially computed single-sum value |
2073 | of such retirement income, except that if the method of |
2074 | distribution determined under paragraph (b) involves the |
2075 | purchase of an insured annuity, the amount required to provide |
2076 | the given retirement income is the single premium payable for |
2077 | such annuity. The actuarial single-sum value may not be less |
2078 | than the employee's accumulated contributions to the Plan, with |
2079 | interest if provided by the Plan, less the value of any Plan |
2080 | benefits previously paid to the employee. |
2081 | (d) If there is asset value remaining after the full |
2082 | distribution specified in paragraph (c), and after payment of |
2083 | any expenses incurred with such distribution, such excess shall |
2084 | be returned to the City, less the return to the state of the |
2085 | state's contributions, provided that if the excess is less than |
2086 | the total contributions made by the City and the state to date |
2087 | of termination of the Plan, such excess shall be divided |
2088 | proportionately to the total contributions made by the City and |
2089 | the state. |
2090 | (e) The Board shall distribute, in accordance with the |
2091 | manner of distribution determined under paragraph (b), the |
2092 | amounts determined under paragraph (c). |
2093 | Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. |