CS/HB 859

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to the West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund
3of the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County;
4amending chapter 24981 (1947), Laws of Florida, as
5amended; revising the definition of the term "salary";
6authorizing other fiduciary designees to sign fund drafts;
7clarifying an exception relating to the adoption of
8experience tables and interest rates; providing for the
9adjustment of benefits when changing joint annuitants or
10beneficiaries; removing the requirement for a spouse's
11consent to waive a joint and survivor benefit; providing
12for quarterly adjustment of share accounts; providing an
13exception to an exclusion for disabled members; revising
14provisions relating to the payment of certain death
15benefits; providing for bimonthly refund repayments;
16requiring the board of trustees to identify and report any
17holdings in a scrutinized company; requiring divestiture
18of certain securities within a specified time; limiting
19board liability relating to such divestiture; authorizing
20the withholding of certain retirement funds for certain
21purposes upon request of a retiree; reducing the amount of
22small retirement income that may be paid in a lump sum;
23authorizing certain city police officers to recontribute
24to the fund; revising provisions relating to determination
25of creditable service for members who die or become
26disabled while on active duty military service; providing
27for distribution of the fund in the event of termination
28of the pension plan; providing an effective date.
29
30Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
31
32     Section 1.  Section 16 of chapter 24981 (1947), Laws of
33Florida, 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
36established a special fund for the police officers of the City
37of West Palm Beach to be known as the West Palm Beach Police
38Pension Fund. All assets of every description held in the name
39of the West Palm Beach Police Pension and Relief Fund and in the
40name of the West Palm Beach Pension Fund have been and continue
41to be combined.
42     (2)  Definitions.-The following words or phrases, as used
43in this act, shall have the following meanings, unless a
44different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:
45     (a)  "Actuarial equivalent value," "actuarial equivalence,"
46or "single sum value" means the stated determination using an
47interest rate of 8.25 percent per year and the 1983 Group
48Annuity Mortality Table.
49     (b)  "Beneficiary" means any person, except a retirant, who
50is entitled to receive a benefit from the West Palm Beach Police
51Pension Fund or the West Palm Beach Police Pension and Relief
52Fund, as applicable.
53     (c)  "Board of Trustees" or "Board" means the Board of
54Trustees 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
57of West Palm Beach.
58     (f)  "Enrolled actuary" means an actuary who is enrolled
59under Subtitle C of Title III of the Employee Retirement Income
60Security Act of 1974 and who is a member of the Society of
61Actuaries or the American Academy of Actuaries.
62     (g)  "Final average salary" means the average of the
63monthly salary paid a member in the 3 best years of employment.
64In no event shall any one year, beginning January 1, 2005,
65include more than 400 hours of overtime. Prior to January 1,
662005, individual years may include more than 400 hours of
67overtime.
68     (h)  "Fund" or "Pension Fund" means the West Palm Beach
69Police Pension Fund or the West Palm Beach Pension and Relief
70Fund, as applicable.
71     (i)  "Member" or "participant" means any person who is
72included in the membership of the Fund in accordance with
73subsection (6).
74     (j)  "Pension" means a monthly amount payable from the Fund
75throughout the future life of a person, or for a limited period
76of time, as provided in this act.
77     (k)  "Police officer" means any person who is elected,
78appointed, or employed full time by the City, who is certified
79or required to be certified as a law enforcement officer in
80compliance with section 943.14, Florida Statutes, who is vested
81with authority to bear arms and make arrests, and whose primary
82responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the
83enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of
84the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory
85and command personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part,
86the supervision, training, guidance, and management
87responsibilities of full-time law enforcement officers, part-
88time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement
89officers, but does not include part-time law enforcement
90officers or auxiliary law enforcement officers as the same are
91defined in subsections (6) and (8) of section 943.10, Florida
92Statutes.
93     (l)  "Qualified health professional" means a person duly
94and regularly engaged in the practice of his or her profession
95who holds a professional degree from a university or college and
96has special professional training or skill regarding the
97physical or mental condition, disability, or lack thereof, upon
98which he or she is to present evidence to the Board.
99     (m)  "Qualified public depository" means any bank or
100savings association organized and existing under the laws of
101Florida and any bank or savings association organized under the
102laws of the United States that has its principal place of
103business, or a branch office, in Florida which is authorized
104under the laws of Florida or the United States to receive
105deposits in Florida; that meets all of the requirements of
106chapter 280, Florida Statutes; and that has been designated by
107the Treasurer of the State of Florida as a qualified public
108depository.
109     (n)  "Retirant" means any member who retires with a pension
110from the Fund.
111     (o)  "Retirement" means a member's withdrawal from Police
112Department employment as a police officer with a pension payable
113from the Fund.
114     (p)  "Salary" means the fixed monthly compensation paid to
115a member; compensation shall include those items as have been
116included as compensation in accordance with past practice.
117However, the term shall not be construed to include lump sum
118payments for accumulated leave. On and after January 1, 2003,
119salary shall mean total cash remuneration paid by the City to a
120police officer for services rendered excluding lump sum payments
121for accumulated leave such as accrued vacation leave, accrued
122sick leave, and accrued personal leave. Effective January 1,
1232005, overtime hours earned and paid in excess of 400 hours in
124any 26 consecutive pay periods shall be excluded from the
125definition of salary; prior to January 1, 2005, all overtime
126hours earned and paid shall be included in the definition of
127salary and shall not be limited by any cap. This definition of
128compensation shall not include off-duty employment performed for
129vendors other than the City of West Palm Beach per Article 30,
130Pension Plan and Section 5 of the collective bargaining
131agreement between the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent
132Association and the City of West Palm Beach. Beginning with
133salary paid after December 31, 2008, and pursuant to s.
134414(u)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, "salary" includes
135amounts paid by the City as differential wages to members who
136are absent from employment while in qualified military service.
137     (q)  "Service" or "service credit" means the total number
138of years, and fractional parts of years, of employment of any
139police officer, omitting intervening years, and fractional parts
140of years, when such police officer was not employed by the City.
141No member shall receive credit for years, or fractional parts of
142years, of service for which the member has withdrawn his or her
143contributions to the Fund. It is further provided that a member
144may voluntarily leave his or her contributions in the Fund for a
145period of 5 years after leaving the employ of the Department,
146pending the possibility of being rehired by the Department,
147without losing credit for the time he or she has participated
148actively as a police officer. Should he or she not be re-
149employed as a police officer with the Department within 5 years,
150his or her contributions shall be returned without interest. In
151determining the aggregate number of years of service of any
152member, years of service for prior police officer or military
153service, as well as intervening military service, may be added,
154provided the member meets the requirements of subsection (35) 35
155of the Plan.
156     (r)  The masculine gender includes the feminine and words
157in the singular with respect to persons shall include the plural
158and vice versa.
159     (3)  Board of Trustees of Police Pension Fund.-
160     (a)  Board of Trustees created.-There is hereby created a
161Board of Trustees, which shall be solely responsible for
162administering the West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund. The Board
163shall be a legal entity, with the power to bring and defend
164lawsuits of every kind, nature, and description and shall be
165independent of the City to the extent required to accomplish the
166intent, requirements, and responsibilities provided for in this
167act. The Board shall consist of five trustees, as follows:
168     1.  Two legal residents of the City, who shall be appointed
169by the City. Each resident trustee shall serve as a trustee for
170a period of 2 years, unless sooner replaced by the City, at
171whose pleasure he or she shall serve, and may succeed himself or
172herself as a trustee.
173     2.  Two police officers, who shall be elected by a majority
174of the police officers who are members of the Fund. Elections
175shall be held under such reasonable rules and regulations as the
176Board shall from time to time adopt.  Each member-trustee shall
177serve as trustee for a period of 2 years, unless he or she
178sooner ceases to be a police officer in the employ of the
179Department, whereupon the members shall choose his or her
180successor in the same manner as the original appointment. Each
181member-trustee of the Fund may succeed himself or herself as a
182trustee.
183     3.  A fifth trustee, who shall be chosen by a majority of
184the other four trustees. This fifth person's name shall be
185submitted to the City, which shall, as a ministerial duty,
186appoint such person to the Board as a fifth trustee.  The fifth
187person shall serve as trustee for a period of 2 years, and may
188succeed himself or herself as a trustee.
189     (b)  Board vacancy; how filled.-In the event a trustee
190provided for in subparagraph (a)2. ceases to be a police officer
191in the employ of the Department, he or she shall be considered
192to have resigned from the Board. In the event a trustee provided
193for in subparagraph (a)2. shall resign, be removed, or become
194ineligible to serve as a trustee, the Board shall, by
195resolution, declare the office of trustee vacated as of the date
196of adoption of said resolution. If such a vacancy occurs in the
197office of trustee within 90 days of the next succeeding election
198for trustee, the vacancy shall be filled at the regular election
199for the next term; otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled for
200the unexpired portion of the term, as provided in subparagraph
201(a)2. In the event a trustee provided for in subparagraph (a)1.
202or subparagraph (a)3. shall resign, be removed, or become
203ineligible to serve as a trustee, the Board shall, by
204resolution, declare the office of trustee vacated as of the date
205of adoption of said resolution. The trustee's successor for the
206unexpired portion of said trustee's term shall be chosen in the
207same manner as an original appointment.
208     (c)  Board meetings; quorum; procedures.-The Board shall
209hold meetings regularly, at least one in each quarter year, and
210shall designate the time and place thereof. At any meeting of
211the Board, three trustees shall constitute a quorum. Each
212trustee shall be entitled to one vote on each question before
213the Board and at least three concurring votes shall be required
214for a decision by the Board at any of its meetings. The Board
215shall adopt its own rules of procedure and shall keep a record
216of its proceedings. All public records of the Board shall be
217kept and maintained as required by law. All meetings of the
218Board shall be open to the public and shall be held as required
219by law.
220     (d)  Board chair.-The Board shall elect from among the
221trustees a chair.
222     (e)  Board secretary.-The Board shall elect from among the
223trustees a secretary. The secretary shall keep a complete minute
224book of the actions, proceedings, and hearings of the Board.
225     (f)  Compensation.-The trustees of the Fund shall not
226receive any compensation for their services as such, but may
227receive expenses and per diem as provided by law.
228     (4)  Professional and clerical services.-
229     (a)  Pension administrator.-The pension administrator of
230the Fund shall be designated by the Board and shall carry out
231its orders and directions.
232     (b)  Custodian of funds.-All moneys and securities of the
233Fund may be deposited with the cash management coordinator of
234the City, acting in a ministerial capacity only, who shall be
235bonded and shall be liable in the same manner and to the same
236extent as he or she is liable for the safekeeping of funds for
237the City. However, any funds and securities deposited with the
238cash management coordinator shall be kept in a separate fund by
239the cash management coordinator or clearly identified as funds
240and securities of the Fund. In lieu thereof, the Board shall
241deposit the Funds and securities in a qualified public
242depository designated by the Board.
243     1.  The cash management coordinator or other designated
244qualified public depository shall receive all moneys due said
245Fund from all sources whatsoever. All tax revenue received
246pursuant to the provisions of chapter 185, Florida Statutes,
247shall be deposited into the Fund no more than 5 days after
248receipt. Member contributions withheld by the City on behalf of
249a member shall be deposited in the Fund immediately.
250     2.  The Board may issue drafts upon the Fund pursuant to
251this act and rules and regulations prescribed by the Board,
252provided that such drafts shall be issued in accordance with
253generally accepted accounting procedures, American Institute of
254Certified Public Accountants guidelines, and rules of the State
255of Florida Auditor General. All such drafts shall be
256consecutively numbered and signed by the chair and secretary, or
257other fiduciary designee, and each draft shall, upon its face,
258state the purpose for which it is drawn. For this purpose, the
259chair and secretary shall be bonded. The cash management
260coordinator or other depository shall retain such drafts when
261paid, as permanent vouchers for disbursements made, and no money
262shall be otherwise drawn from the Fund. Payments from the Fund
263shall be made only upon a specific or general motion or
264resolution previously adopted by the Board authorizing such
265payment or payments.
266     (c)  Legal counsel.-The City Attorney shall give advice to
267the Board in all matters pertaining to its duties in the
268administration of the Fund whenever requested, shall represent
269and defend the Board as its attorney in all suits and actions at
270law or in equity that may be brought against it, and shall bring
271all suits and actions in its behalf that may be required or
272determined upon by said Board. However, if the Board so elects,
273it may employ independent legal counsel at the Fund's expense
274for the purposes set forth in this act.
275     (d)  Actuary.-The Board shall designate an enrolled actuary
276who shall be its technical advisor and who shall perform such
277other actuarial services as are required.
278     (e)  Certified public accountant.-The Board shall employ,
279at its expense, a certified public accountant to conduct an
280independent audit of the Fund. The certified public accountant
281shall be independent of the Board and the City.
282     (f)  Additional professional, technical, or other
283services.-The Board shall have the authority to employ such
284professional, technical, or other advisors as are required to
285carry out the provisions of this act.
286     (5)  Reports; experience tables; regular interest.-
287     (a)  Reports.-The pension administrator shall keep, or
288cause to be kept, such data as shall be necessary for an
289actuarial valuation of the assets and liabilities of the Fund.
290     (b)  Experience tables; regular interest; adoption of
291same.-The Board shall, from time to time, adopt such mortality
292and other tables of experience, and a rate or rates of interest,
293as required to operate the Fund on an actuarial basis, except as
294provided in subsection (34).
295     (6)  Membership.-All police officers in the employ of the
296Department shall be included in the membership of the Fund, and
297all persons who hereafter become police officers in the employ
298of the City shall thereupon become members of the Fund. Except
299as otherwise provided in this act, should any member cease to be
300a police officer in the employ of the Department, he or she
301shall thereupon cease to be a member and his or her credited
302service at that time shall be forfeited. In the event such
303person is re-employed in the Department as a police officer, he
304or she shall again become a member. His or her forfeited service
305shall be restored to the member's credit, provided that he or
306she returns to the Fund the amount he or she might have
307withdrawn, together with regular interest from the date of
308withdrawal to the date of repayment. Upon the member's
309retirement or death, he or she shall thereupon cease to be a
310member.
311     (7)  Service credit.-Pursuant to appropriate rules and
312regulations, the Board shall determine and credit the amount of
313service to which each member shall be credited, consistent with
314the 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
317the Board, any member may retire and receive the applicable
318pension provided for in paragraph (9)(a), provided that the
319member has attained age 50 and has at least 20 years of credited
320service, has attained age 55 and has at least 10 years of
321credited service, or has at least 25 years of continuous
322credited service, regardless of age.
323     (b)  Vested deferred retirement.-A member who leaves the
324employ of the Department with 10 or more years of credited
325service and who is not eligible for any other retirement benefit
326under this act shall be entitled to the pension provided for in
327this subsection. Payments of this pension shall begin the first
328day of the calendar month following the month in which his or
329her application is filed with and accepted by the Board on or
330after attainment of age 50 years. If applicable, the amount of
331the pension shall be determined in accordance with the early
332retirement provisions below.
333     (c)  Early retirement.-Any member may retire from the
334service of the Department as of the first day of any calendar
335month which is prior to the member's normal retirement date but
336subsequent to the date as of which he or she has both attained
337the age of 50 and completed 10 years of credited service. In the
338event of early retirement, the monthly amount of retirement
339income payable shall be computed as described in paragraph
340(9)(a), taking into account his or her credited service to his
341or her date of actual retirement and his or her final average
342salary as of such date. The amount of retirement income shall be
343actuarially reduced to take into account the member's younger
344age and earlier commencement of retirement income benefits. The
345early retirement reduction shall be 3 percent for each year by
346which the member's age at retirement preceded the member's
347normal 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
351be the following, as applicable:
352     1.  A member who has more than or equal to 12 years and 6
353months of service at October 1, 1999, and who was actively
354employed by the Department on or after October 1, 1999, shall
355receive a benefit equal to the greater of the following:
356     a.  Three percent of final average salary multiplied by the
357number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service
358earned from April 1, 1987, plus 2.5 percent of final average
359salary multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a
360year, of credited service earned prior to April 1, 1987, up to a
361total of 26 years, plus 1 percent of the final average salary
362multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
363credited service which is in excess of 26 years;
364     b.  Two and one-half percent of final average salary
365multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
366credited service, not to exceed 26 years, plus 1 percent of the
367final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and
368fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess of 26
369years; or
370     c.  The sum of the following:
371     (I)  Two and one-half percent of final average salary
372multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
373credited service earned through September 30, 1988; and
374     (II)  Two percent of final average salary multiplied by the
375number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service
376earned on and after October 1, 1988.
377
378However, in no event shall the benefit be less than 2 percent
379per year of credited service.
380     2.  A member who has more than 12 years and 6 months of
381service and who has entered the DROP on or before October 1,
3821999, and who was actively employed by the Department on October
3831, 1999, shall receive a benefit equal to the greater of the
384following:
385     a.  Three percent of final average salary multiplied by the
386number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service
387earned in the 12 years and 6 months prior to entering the DROP,
388plus 2.5 percent of final average salary multiplied by the
389number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service
390earned prior to that date which is 12 years and 6 months prior
391to entering the DROP, up to a total of 26 years, plus 1 percent
392of the final average salary multiplied by the number of years,
393and fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess
394of 26 years. The one-half percent enhancement to the accrual
395rate shall also be applied retroactively to the date of entering
396the DROP, or 2 years, whichever is less, provided that the
397retroactive application shall include principal only and not any
398earnings thereon. An example of the calculation described in
399this sub-subparagraph is set forth in the collective bargaining
400agreement between the City of West Palm Beach and the Police
401Benevolent Association, Certified Unit No. 825, October 1, 1998-
402September 30, 2001;
403     b.  Two and one-half percent of final average salary
404multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
405credited service, not to exceed 26 years, plus 1 percent of the
406final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and
407fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess of 26
408years; or
409     c.  The sum of the following:
410     (I)  Two and one-half percent of final average salary
411multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
412credited service earned through September 30, 1988; and
413     (II)  Two percent of final average salary multiplied by the
414number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service
415earned on and after October 1, 1988.
416
417However, in no event shall the benefit be less than 2 percent
418per year of credited service.
419     3.  A member who has less than 12 years and 6 months of
420service on October 1, 1999, and who was actively employed by the
421Department on or after October 1, 1999, shall receive a benefit
422equal to the greater of the following:
423     a.  Three percent of final average salary multiplied by the
424number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service up
425to a total of 26 years, plus 1 percent of the final average
426salary multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a
427year, of credited service which is in excess of 26 years;
428     b.  Two and one-half percent of final average salary
429multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
430credited service, not to exceed 26 years, plus 1 percent of the
431final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and
432fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess of 26
433years; or
434     c.  The sum of the following:
435     (I)  Two and one-half percent of final average salary
436multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
437credited service earned through September 30, 1988; and
438     (II)  Two percent of final average salary multiplied by the
439number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service
440earned on and after October 1, 1988.
441
442However, in no event shall the benefit be less than 2 percent
443per year of credited service.
444     4.  A member who terminated employment, retired on a vested
445deferred benefit, or retired on or before October 1, 1999, shall
446receive a benefit equal to the greater of the following:
447     a.  Two and one-half percent of final average salary
448multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
449credited service not to exceed 26 years, plus 1 percent of the
450final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and
451fraction of a year, of credited service which is in excess of 26
452years; or
453     b.  The sum of the following:
454     (I)  Two and one-half percent of final average salary
455multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of
456credited service earned through September 30, 1988; and
457     (II)  Two percent of final average salary multiplied by the
458number of years, and fraction of a year, of credited service
459earned on and after October 1, 1988.
460
461The 3-percent benefit accrual factor for active employees in
462subparagraphs (a)1., 2., 3., and 4. is contingent on and subject
463to the adoption and maintenance of the assumptions set forth in
464subsection (34). If such assumptions are modified by
465legislative, judicial, or administrative agency action and the
466modification results in increased City contributions to the
467Pension Fund, the 3-percent benefit accrual factor for active
468employees in subparagraphs (a)1., 2., and 3. shall be
469automatically decreased prospectively from the date of the
470action, to completely offset the increase in City contributions.
471However, in no event shall the benefit accrual factor in
472subparagraphs (a)1., 2., 3., and 4. be adjusted below 2.5
473percent.
474
475To the extent that the benefit accrual factor is less than 3
476percent for active members with less than 12 years and 6 months
477of service on October 1, 1999, the supplemental pension
478distribution calculation under subparagraph (12)(a)2. shall be
479adjusted for employees who retire or enter the DROP after
480October 1, 1999. The adjustment shall be to decrease the minimum
481return of 8.25 percent needed to afford the supplemental pension
482distribution, where the amount of the reduction is zero if an
483employee has been credited with 12 years and 6 months of service
484or more with the 3-percent benefit accrual factor or 1.25
485percent if an employee has been credited with no more than a
4862.5-percent benefit accrual factor. If an employee has been
487credited with less than 12 years and 6 months of service at the
4883-percent benefit accrual factor, then the accumulated amount
489over 2.5 percent for each year of service divided by one-half
490percent divided by 12.5 subtracted from 1 multiplied by 1.25
491percent is the reduction from 8.25 percent. An example of the
492calculation of the minimum return for the supplemental pension
493distribution as herein described is set forth in the collective
494bargaining agreement between the City of West Palm Beach and the
495Police Benevolent Association, Certified Unit No. 145 and
496Certified 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
499first day of each month. The first payment shall be payable the
500first day of the month coincident with or next following the
501date of retirement or death, provided the member has completed
502the applicable age and service requirements.
503     2.  Last payment.-The last payment shall be the payment due
504next preceding the member's death, except that payments shall be
505continued to the designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries) if a
50610-year certain benefit, a joint and survivor option, or
507beneficiary benefits, as applicable, are payable.
508     (c)  Normal form of retirement income; 10-year certain
509benefit.-
510     1.  Married member.-The normal form of retirement benefit
511for a married member or for a member with dependent children or
512parents shall be a pension and death benefits. The pension
513benefit shall provide monthly payments for the life of the
514member. Thereafter, death benefits shall be paid to the
515beneficiary designated by the member as provided in subsection
516(17).
517     2.  Unmarried member.-The normal form of retirement benefit
518for an unmarried member without dependent children or parents
519shall be a 10- year certain benefit. This benefit shall pay
520monthly benefits for the member's lifetime. In the event the
521member dies after his or her retirement but before receiving
522retirement benefits for a period of 10 years, the same monthly
523benefit shall be paid to the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as
524designated by the member for the balance of such 10-year period
525or, if no beneficiary is designated, to heirs at law, or estate
526of 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
529retirement, in lieu of the normal form of retirement income
530payable as specified in paragraph (c), and in lieu of the death
531benefits as specified in subsection (17), a member, upon written
532request to the Board and subject to the approval of the Board,
533may elect to receive a retirement income of equivalent actuarial
534value payable in accordance with one of the following options:
535     (I)  Lifetime option.-A retirement income of a larger
536monthly amount, payable to the member for his or her lifetime
537only.
538     (II)  Joint and survivor option.-A retirement income of a
539modified monthly amount, payable to the member during the joint
540lifetime of the member and a dependent joint pensioner
541designated by the member, and following the death of either of
542them, 100 percent, 75 percent, 66-2/3 percent, or 50 percent of
543such monthly amounts, payable to the survivor for the lifetime
544of the survivor.
545     b.  The member, upon electing any option of this paragraph,
546shall designate the joint pensioner or beneficiary (or
547beneficiaries) to receive the benefit, if any, payable in the
548event of his or her death, and shall have the power to change
549such designation from time to time; but any such change shall be
550deemed a new election and shall be subject to approval by the
551Board. Such designation shall name a joint pensioner or one or
552more primary beneficiaries where applicable. If a member has
553elected an option with a joint pensioner or beneficiary and his
554or her retirement income benefits have commenced, he or she may
555thereafter change the designated joint pensioner or beneficiary
556only twice. Any retired member who desires to change his or her
557joint pensioner or beneficiary shall file with the Board a
558notarized notice of such change. Upon receipt of a completed
559change of joint pensioner form or such other notice, the Board
560shall adjust the member's monthly benefit by the application of
561actuarial tables and calculations developed to ensure that the
562benefit paid is the actuarial equivalent of the present value of
563the member's current benefit and there is no impact to the Plan.
564     c.  The consent of a member's joint pensioner or
565beneficiary to any such change shall not be required. However,
566the spouse of a married member must consent to any election to
567waive a joint and survivor benefit by signing the election
568before a notary public. The spouse's written consent must
569acknowledge the effect of such a waiver. Consent of the spouse
570shall not be required if the spouse cannot be located, or for
571such other circumstances as may be prescribed by regulations of
572the Secretary of the Treasury. Any consent by a spouse shall be
573effective only with respect to such spouse.
574     d.  For any other changes of beneficiaries, the Board may
575request such evidence of the good health of the joint pensioner
576who is being removed as it may require; and the amount of the
577retirement income payable to the member upon the designation of
578a new joint pensioner shall be actuarially redetermined, taking
579into account the ages and sex of the former joint pensioner, the
580new joint pensioner, and the member. Each such designation shall
581be made in writing on a form prepared by the Board, and, on
582completion, shall be filed with the Board. In the event that no
583designated beneficiary survives the member, such benefits as are
584payable in the event of the death of the member subsequent to
585his or her retirement shall be paid as provided in subparagraph
586(c)2.
587     2.  Retirement income payments shall be made under the
588option elected in accordance with the provisions of this
589paragraph and shall be subject to the following limitations:
590     a.  If a member dies prior to his or her normal retirement
591date or early retirement date, whichever first occurs,
592retirement benefits shall be paid in accordance with subsection
593(17).
594     b.  If the designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries) or
595joint pensioner dies before the member's retirement, the option
596elected shall be canceled automatically and a retirement income
597of the normal form and amount shall be payable to the member
598upon his or her retirement as if the election had not been made,
599unless a new election is made in accordance with the provisions
600of this paragraph or a new beneficiary is designated by the
601member prior to his or her retirement.
602     c.  If a member continues in the employ of the Department
603after meeting the age and service requirements set forth in
604paragraph (8)(a) and dies prior to retirement and while an
605option provided for in this paragraph is in effect, monthly
606retirement income payments shall be paid, under the option, to a
607beneficiary (or beneficiaries) designated by the member in the
608amount or amounts computed as if the member had retired under
609the option on the date on which his or her death occurred.
610     3.  No member may make any change in his or her retirement
611option after the date of cashing or depositing the first
612retirement check.
613     (e)  Designation of beneficiary.-
614     1.  Each member may, on a form provided for that purpose,
615signed and filed with the Board, designate a beneficiary (or
616beneficiaries) to receive the benefit, if any, which may be
617payable in the event of the member's death; and each designation
618may be revoked by such member by signing and filing with the
619Board a new designation of beneficiary form. However, after the
620benefits have commenced, a retirant may change his or her
621designation of a joint annuitant or beneficiary only twice. If
622the retirant desires to change his or her joint annuitant or
623beneficiary, he or she shall file with the Board a notarized
624notice of such change either by registered letter or on a form
625as provided by the Board. Upon receipt of a completed change of
626joint annuitant form or such other notice, the Board shall
627adjust the member's monthly benefit by the application of
628actuarial tables and calculations developed to ensure that the
629benefit paid is the actuarial equivalent of the present value of
630the member's current benefit.
631     2.  Absence or death of beneficiary.-If a deceased member
632failed to name a beneficiary in the manner prescribed in
633subparagraph 1., or if the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) named
634by a deceased member predeceases the member, death benefits, if
635any, which may be payable under this act on behalf of such
636deceased member may be paid, in the discretion of the Board, to:
637     a.  The spouse or dependent child or children of the
638member;
639     b.  The dependent living parent or parents of the member;
640or
641     c.  The estate of the member.
642     (10)  Cost-of-living adjustments.-
643     (a)  The following words and phrases as used in this
644subsection mean:
645     1.  Unadjusted amount of retirement benefit.-The amount of
646retirement benefit that would be paid a retiree or beneficiary
647of the provisions if this subsection were not applicable.
648     2.  Consumer price index.-The consumer price index for
649urban wage earners and clerical workers as published by the
650United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
651Should the Bureau of Labor Statistics adopt a new base or modify
652the method of computation of the consumer price index so as to
653render it unsuitable, the Board shall make appropriate
654adjustments. The Board shall choose another index which it
655determines to be appropriate if the consumer price index is no
656longer published.
657     3.  Retirement benefit effective date.-The date as of which
658payments of a retirement benefit first commence. A new effective
659date does not occur when a retiree dies and a retirement
660allowance is paid to a beneficiary.
661     4.  Base month.-The more recent of the month of October
6621976, the month and year of the retirement benefit effective
663date, or the month and year in which the retiree attains age 64
664years.
665     (b)  Subject to the limitations stated in this subsection,
666the unadjusted amount of the retirement benefit for retirees 65
667years of age or older shall be increased each January 1,
668beginning January 1, 1977. The retirement benefit shall increase
669by 3 percent multiplied by the number of complete years from the
670later 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
674years
675
676to January 1 of the year in which the adjustment is being made.
677     (c)  The accumulated adjustments to a retirement benefit
678after January 1, 1977, expressed as a percentage of the
679unadjusted amount of retirement allowance, shall not exceed the
680percentage increase in the consumer price index for the period
681between the base month and the month of October in the year
682preceding adjustment.
683     (d)  An adjustment shall not be made on any January first
684if the amount of the adjustment is less than 1 percent of the
685unadjusted amount of retirement benefit.
686     (11)  Chapter 185 share accounts.-
687     (a)  A separate individual member account shall be
688established and maintained in each member's name effective
689October 1, 1988.
690     (b)  Share account funding.-
691     1.  Chapter 185 moneys.-Each individual member account
692shall be credited with the moneys received from chapter 185,
693Florida Statutes, tax revenues in June 1988 and thereafter.
694     2.  Forfeitures.-In addition, any forfeitures as provided
695in paragraph (e) shall be credited to the individual member
696accounts 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
700account in an amount directly proportionate to the number of pay
701periods for which the member was paid compared to the total
702number of pay periods for which all members were paid, counting
703the pay periods in the calendar year preceding the date for
704which chapter 185, Florida Statutes, tax revenues were received.
705     2.  At the end of each fiscal quarter year (September 30),
706each individual member account shall be adjusted to reflect the
707earnings or losses resulting from investments, as well as
708reflecting the costs, fees, and expenses of administration.
709     3.  Effective October 1, 2002, vested Participants have the
710option to select between two methods to credit investment
711earnings to their account. The method may be changed each year
712effective October 1; however, the method must be elected prior
713to October 1. The methods are:
714     a.  The investment earnings (or losses) credited to the
715individual member accounts shall be the same percentage as are
716earned (or lost) by the total investment earnings (or losses) of
717the Fund as a whole, unless the Board dedicates a separate
718investment portfolio for chapter 185, Florida Statutes, share
719accounts, in which case the investment earnings (or losses)
720shall be measured by the investment earnings (or losses) of the
721separate investment portfolio.
722     b.  A fixed annual rate of 8.25 percent.
723     4.  Costs, fees, and expenses of administration shall be
724debited from the individual member accounts on a proportionate
725basis, taking the costs, fees, and expenses of administration of
726the Fund as a whole, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
727which is the total of the assets in all individual member
728accounts and the denominator of which is the total of the assets
729of the Fund as a whole. The proportionate share of the costs,
730fees, and expenses shall be debited to each individual member
731account on a pro rata basis in the same manner as chapter 185,
732Florida Statutes, tax revenues are credited to each individual
733member account (i.e., based on pay periods).
734     5.  If the entire balance of the individual member account
735is withdrawn before September 30 of any year, there shall be no
736adjustment made to that individual member account to reflect
737either investment earnings (or losses) or costs, fees, and
738expenses of administration.
739     (d)  Eligibility for benefits.-Any member who terminates
740employment with the City, upon application filed with the Board,
741shall be entitled to 100 percent of the value of his or her
742individual member account, provided the member meets any of the
743following criteria:
744     1.  The member is eligible to receive a pension as provided
745in subsection (8);
746     2.  The member has 5 or more years of credited service and
747is 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
751paragraph (17)(a); or
752     3.  The member has any credited service and is eligible to
753receive 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
757provided in paragraph (17)(b).
758     (e)  Forfeitures.-Any member who has less than 10 years of
759credited service and who is not eligible for payment of benefits
760after termination of employment with the City shall forfeit his
761or her individual member account. The amounts credited to said
762individual member account shall be redistributed to the
763remaining individual member accounts in the same manner as
764chapter 185, Florida Statutes, tax revenues are credited (i.e.,
765based on pay periods).
766     (f)  Payment of benefits.-The normal form of benefit
767payment shall be a lump sum payment of the entire balance of the
768member's individual member account or upon the written election
769of the member, upon a form provided by the Board; and payment
770shall be made:
771     1.  Over 3 years in annual installments; or
772     2.  In monthly installments over the lifetime of the member
773or until the entire balance is exhausted. The monthly amount
774paid shall be determined by the Fund's actuary in accordance
775with selections made by the member on a form provided by the
776Board of Trustees.
777     (g)  Death of member.-If a member dies and is eligible for
778benefits from the individual member account, the entire balance
779of the individual member account shall be converted to the name
780of the beneficiary designated in accordance with paragraph
781(9)(e). The entire balance shall be paid out in a lump sum to
782the beneficiary, at the discretion of the beneficiary. If the
783designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse, the account may
784remain with the Fund until the latest period specified under
785subsection (30). These individual accounts shall not be eligible
786for any further shares of the Chapter 185 moneys but shall be
787credited with interest. If a member fails to designate a
788beneficiary, or if the beneficiary predeceases the member, the
789entire balance shall be converted, in the following order, to
790the 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
794on a pro rata basis; or
795     4.  If none are alive, the estate of the member.
796
797The accounts which are converted to the names of the
798beneficiaries shall have the right to name a successor
799beneficiary. Any designated beneficiary, other than the
800surviving spouse of the member, must take a distribution of the
801entire share account balance by the end of 5 years following the
802death of the member. Installment distributions which begin in
803the calendar year of the member's death shall be treated as
804complying with this 5-year distribution requirement, even though
805the installments are not completed within 5 years after the
806member's death.
807     (12)  Supplemental pension distribution.-
808     (a)  The Board of Trustees shall annually authorize a
809supplemental pension distribution, the amount of which shall be
810determined as of each September 30, as applicable.
811     1.  For employees who retired prior to October 1, 1999, the
812amount of the distribution shall be equal to the actuarial
813present value of future pension payments to those current
814pensioners, multiplied by the positive difference, if any,
815between the rate of investment return (not to exceed 9 percent)
816and 7 percent, plus one-half of any investment earnings over 9
817percent.
818     2.  For those employees who have more than 12-1/2 years of
819service on and after October 1, 1999, or who are part of the
820DROP on or after October 1, 1999, the amount of the distribution
821shall be equal to the actuarial present value of future pension
822payments to those pensioners multiplied by the positive
823difference, if any, between the rate of investment return (not
824to exceed 9 percent) and 7 percent, plus one-half of any
825investment earnings over 9 percent.
826     3.  For those employees who have less than 12-1/2 years of
827service as of October 1, 1999, the amount of the distribution
828shall be equal to the actuarial present value of future pension
829payments to those pensioners multiplied by the positive
830difference, if any, between the rate of investment return (not
831to exceed 9 percent) and 8.25 percent, plus one-half of any
832investment earnings over 9 percent.
833     (b)  The actuary shall determine whether there may be a
834supplemental pension distribution based on the following
835factors:
836     1.  The actuary for the Pension Fund shall determine the
837rate of investment return earned on the Pension Fund assets
838during the 12-month period ending each September 30. The rate
839determined shall be the rate reported in the most recent
840actuarial report submitted pursuant to part VII of chapter 112,
841Florida Statutes.
842     2.  The actuary for the Pension Fund shall, as of September
84330, determine the actuarial present value of future pension
844payments to current pensioners. The actuarial present values
845shall be calculated using an interest rate of 7 percent per year
846compounded annually, and a mortality table approved by the Board
847of Trustees and as used in the most recent actuarial report
848submitted pursuant to part VII of chapter 112, Florida Statutes.
849     3.  The supplemental pension distribution amount shall not
850exceed accumulated net actuarial experience from all pension
851liabilities and assets. If the net actuarial experience is
852favorable, cumulatively, commencing with the experience for the
853year ending September 30, 1991, after offset for all prior
854supplemental distributions, the supplemental distribution may be
855made. If the net actuarial experience is unfavorable,
856cumulatively, commencing with the experience for the year ended
857September 30, 1991, after offset for all prior supplemental
858distributions, no supplemental distribution may be made, and the
859City must amortize the loss until it is offset by cumulative
860favorable experience.
861
862If an actuarial report submitted as provided in this paragraph
863is not state accepted prior to distribution, and if a deficiency
864to the Pension Fund results, the deficiency shall be made up
865from the next available supplemental pension distribution,
866unless sooner made up by agreement between the Board of Trustees
867and the City. No such deficiency shall be permitted to continue
868for a period greater than 3 years from the date of payment of
869the supplemental pension distribution which resulted from the
870deficiency.
871     (c)  If the actuary determines there may be a supplemental
872distribution, the Board of Trustees shall authorize a
873"supplemental pension distribution," unless the administrative
874expenses of distribution exceed the amount available for the
875distribution.
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
882allocated among eligible persons based upon years of service in
883the proportion that the eligible person's years of service bear
884to the aggregate amount of years of service of all eligible
885persons. Allocations for surviving spouses and surviving
886dependent children who are eligible to receive supplemental
887pension distributions shall be 66-2/3 percent of the years of
888service earned by the pensioner. Maximum service credits shall
889be 25 years. Allocations for duty-disability pensioners shall be
890based upon 25 years of service. Allocations for duty-death
891beneficiaries (surviving spouse and surviving dependent
892children) shall be based upon 66-2/3 percent of 25 years of
893service.
894     (f)  The supplemental pension distribution shall be made as
895of April 1, 1992, and each April 1 thereafter. Each eligible
896person shall be paid his or her allocated portion from the
897preceding September 30. Eligible persons retired for less than 1
898year are entitled to a pro rata share of their supplemental
899pension distribution based on the number of months retired. A
900pensioner's estate is entitled to a pro rata share of the
901deceased retirant's supplemental pension distribution based on
902the number of months that the deceased retirant received a
903pension during the year ending the September 30 prior to the
904retirant'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
908retirement pension may participate in the DROP. Members shall
909elect to participate by applying to the Board of Trustees on a
910form provided for that purpose.
911     2.  Election to participate shall be forfeited if not
912exercised within the first 27 years of combined credited
913service.
914     3.  A member shall not participate in the DROP beyond the
915time of attaining 30 years of service and the total years of
916participation in the DROP shall not exceed 5 years. For example:
917     a.  Members with 25 years of credited service at the time
918of entry shall participate for only 5 years.
919     b.  Members with 26 years of credited service at the time
920of entry shall participate for only 4 years.
921     c.  Members with 27 years of credited service at the time
922of entry shall participate for only 3 years.
923     4.  Upon a member's election to participate in the DROP, he
924or she shall cease to be a member and shall no longer accrue any
925benefits under the Pension Fund, except for the benefits
926provided under subsection (11), Chapter 185 share accounts. For
927all Fund purposes, the member becomes a retirant, except that a
928DROP participant shall continue to receive shares of the chapter
929moneys in accordance with subsection (11), Chapter 185 share
930accounts. DROP members shall also be eligible to vote as members
931for purposes of election of the member-trustee. The amount of
932credited service shall freeze as of the date of entry into the
933DROP.
934     (b)  Amounts payable upon election to participate in DROP.-
935     1.  Monthly retirement benefits that would have been
936payable had the member terminated employment with the Department
937and elected to receive monthly pension payments shall be paid
938into the DROP and credited to the retirant. Payments into the
939DROP shall be made monthly over the period the retirant
940participates in the DROP, up to a maximum of 60 months.
941     2.  Effective October 1, 2002, DROP Participants have the
942option to select between two methods to credit investment
943earnings to their account. The method may be changed each year
944effective October 1; however, the method must be elected prior
945to October 1. The methods are:
946     a.  Earnings using the rate of investment return earned (or
947lost) on Pension Fund assets as reported by the Fund's
948investment monitor. DROP assets are commingled with the Pension
949Fund assets for investment purposes.
950     b.  A fixed rate of 8.25 percent.
951
952However, if a police officer does not terminate employment at
953the end of participation in the DROP, interest credits shall
954cease on the balance.
955     3.  No payments shall be made from the DROP until the
956member terminates employment with the Department.
957     4.  Upon termination of employment, participants in the
958DROP shall receive the balance of the DROP account in accordance
959with the following rules:
960     a.  Members may elect to begin to receive payment upon
961termination of employment or defer payment of the DROP until the
962latest 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
965the retirant upon approval of the Board of Trustees.
966     (II)  Installments.-The account balance shall be paid out
967to the retirant in three equal payments paid over 3 years, the
968first payment to be made upon approval of the Board of Trustees.
969     (III)  Annuity.-The account balance shall be paid out in
970monthly installments over the lifetime of the member or until
971the entire balance is exhausted. Monthly amount paid shall be
972determined by the Fund's actuary in accordance with selections
973made by the member on a form provided by the Board of Trustees.
974     c.  Any form of payment selected by a police officer must
975comply with the minimum distribution requirements of s.
976401(A)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and is subject to the
977requirements of subsection (30) (29) of this act; e.g., payments
978must commence by age 70-1/2.
979     d.  The beneficiary of the DROP participant who dies before
980payments from the DROP begin shall have the same right as the
981participant in accordance with subsection (17).
982     e.  Costs, fees, and expenses of administration shall be
983debited from the individual member accounts on a proportionate
984basis, taking the cost, fees, and expenses of administration of
985the Fund as a whole, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
986which is the total assets in all individual member accounts and
987the denominator of which is the total assets of the Fund as a
988whole.
989     (c)  Loans from the DROP.-
990     1.  Availability of loans.-
991     a.  Loans are available to members only after termination
992of employment, provided the member had participated in the DROP
993for 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
998account balance.
999     b.  The maximum dollar amount of a loan is $50,000, reduced
1000by the highest outstanding loan balance during the last 12
1001months.
1002     c.  The minimum amount of a loan is $5,000.
1003     3.  Limitations on loans.-Loans shall be made from the
1004amounts 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
1010is originated for the entire term of the loan.
1011     b.  The interest rate shall be equal to the prime rate
1012published by an established local bank on the last day of each
1013calendar quarter preceding the date of loan application.
1014     6.  Defaults on loans.-
1015     a.  Loans shall be in default if 2 consecutive months'
1016repayments are missed or if a total of 4 months' repayments are
1017missed.
1018     b.  Upon default, the entire balance becomes due and
1019payable immediately.
1020     c.  If a loan in default is not repaid in full immediately,
1021the loan may be canceled and the outstanding balance treated as
1022a distribution, which may be taxable.
1023     d.  Upon default of a loan, a member shall not be eligible
1024for additional loans.
1025     7.  Miscellaneous provisions.-
1026     a.  All loans must be evidenced by a written loan agreement
1027signed by the member and the Board of Trustees. The agreement
1028shall contain a promissory note.
1029     b.  A member's spouse must consent in writing to the loan.
1030The consent shall acknowledge the effect of the loan on the
1031member'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
1034by the Board of Trustees.
1035     (14)  Nonduty disability pension.-
1036     (a)  Retirement.-Any member who entered the employ of the
1037Department as a police officer after September 30, 1961, and who
1038has 5 or more years of credited service, who becomes physically
1039or mentally, totally and permanently disabled to perform the
1040duties of a police officer, shall be retired with a pension
1041provided for in this subsection upon his or her application, or
1042upon the application of the Police Chief on his or her behalf,
1043filed with the Board, provided that after a medical examination
1044of the member made by or under the direction of the medical
1045committee, the medical committee reports to the Board in writing
1046whether:
1047     1.  The member is wholly prevented from rendering useful
1048and efficient service as a police officer; and
1049     2.  The member is likely to remain so disabled continuously
1050and permanently.
1051
1052The Board may admit and consider any other evidence that will
1053assist it in understanding the medical committee's report. The
1054final decision as to whether a member meets the requirements for
1055a nonduty disability pension rests with the Board and shall be
1056based on substantial competent evidence on the record as a
1057whole.
1058     (b)  Nonduty disability pension benefits; disability occurs
1059after age and service eligibility.-A member whose retirement on
1060account of disability, as provided in paragraph (a), occurs on
1061or after the date he or she became eligible to retire under
1062subsection (8) shall receive the applicable pension provided for
1063in subsection (9).
1064     (c)  Nonduty disability pension benefits; disability occurs
1065before age and service eligibility.-A member whose retirement on
1066account of disability, as provided in paragraph (a), occurs
1067prior to the date he or she would have become eligible to retire
1068under paragraph (8)(a) shall receive a disability pension equal
1069to the applicable pension payable in subsection (9), provided
1070that:
1071     1.  If the member has less than 10 years of credited
1072service, the disability pension shall not be less than 20
1073percent of his or her final average salary as of his or her
1074disability retirement date;
1075     2.  If the member has at least 10 years of credited
1076service, the disability pension shall not be less than 25
1077percent of his or her final average salary as of his or her
1078disability retirement date; and
1079     3.  The disability pension shall be subject to the
1080provisions of subsection (18).
1081     (15)  Duty disability pension.-
1082     (a)  Retirement.-Any member who becomes physically or
1083mentally, totally and permanently disabled to perform the duties
1084of a police officer by reason of a personal injury or disease
1085arising out of and in the course of the performance of his or
1086her duties as a police officer in the employ of the City shall
1087be retired with a pension provided for in this subsection,
1088provided that, after a medical examination of the member made by
1089or under the direction of the medical committee, the medical
1090committee reports to the Board in writing whether:
1091     1.  The member is wholly prevented from rendering useful
1092and efficient service as a police officer; and
1093     2.  The member is likely to remain so disabled continuously
1094and permanently.
1095
1096The Board may admit and consider any other evidence that will
1097assist it in understanding the medical committee's report. Any
1098condition or impairment of health of a member caused by
1099tuberculosis, hypertension, heart disease or hardening of the
1100arteries, hepatitis, or meningococcal meningitis resulting in
1101total or partial disability or death shall be presumed to be
1102accidental and suffered in line of duty unless the contrary be
1103shown by competent evidence. Any condition or impairment of
1104health caused directly or proximately by exposure, which
1105exposure occurred in the active performance of duty at some
1106definite time or place without willful negligence on the part of
1107the member, resulting in total or partial disability shall be
1108presumed to be accidental and suffered in the line of duty,
1109provided that such member shall have successfully passed a
1110physical examination upon entering such service, which physical
1111examination, including electrocardiogram, failed to reveal any
1112evidence of such condition. In order to be entitled to the
1113presumption in the case of hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis,
1114or tuberculosis, the member must meet the requirements of
1115section 112.181, Florida Statutes. The final decision as to
1116whether a member meets the requirements for duty disability
1117pension rests with the Board and shall be based on substantial
1118competent evidence on the record as a whole.
1119     (b)  Duty disability pension benefits; disability occurs
1120after age and service eligibility.-A member whose retirement on
1121account of disability, as provided in paragraph (a), occurs on
1122or after the date he or she becomes eligible to retire under
1123subsection (8) shall receive the applicable pension provided for
1124in subsection (9).
1125     (c)  Duty disability pension benefits; disability occurs
1126before age and service eligibility.-A member whose retirement on
1127account of disability, as provided in paragraph (a), occurs
1128prior to the date he or she would become eligible to retire
1129under subsection (8) shall receive a disability pension equal to
1130the appropriate pension payable in subsection (9). The
1131disability pension payable to age 55 shall not be less than two-
1132thirds of his or her final average salary. Upon reaching age 55,
1133the member shall begin receiving a pension computed in
1134accordance with the applicable provisions of subsection (9). In
1135calculating the new pension figure, the member shall be given
1136service credit for the period he or she was in receipt of the
1137disability pension provided for in this paragraph. Any pension
1138payable under this subsection shall be subject to the provisions
1139of subsection (18).
1140     (16)  Conditions applicable to all disability retirants.-
1141     (a)  Medical committee.-The medical committee provided for
1142in subsections (14) and (15) shall consist of no less than two
1143qualified health professionals, one of whom shall be designated
1144by the Board, and one by the member. If deemed necessary by the
1145Board, a third qualified health professional, selected by the
1146two committee members previously designated, may be named to the
1147medical committee. The member shall be responsible for the
1148expenses of the qualified health professional he or she
1149designates to serve on the medical committee. Expenses for any
1150other medical examination required under this act shall be paid
1151by the Fund. The medical committee shall report to the Board the
1152existence and degree of permanent physical impairment of the
1153member, if any, based upon the most recent edition of the
1154American Medical Association's Guide to the Evaluation of
1155Permanent Impairment, if applicable.
1156     (b)  Exclusions from disability pensions.-No disability
1157pension shall be payable, either as a duty disability or as a
1158nonduty disability, if the disability is the result of:
1159     1.  Excessive and habitual use by the member of drugs,
1160intoxicants, or narcotics;
1161     2.  Injury or disease sustained by the member while
1162willfully and illegally participating in fights, riots, or civil
1163insurrections or while committing a crime;
1164     3.  Injury or disease sustained by the member while serving
1165in any armed forces. This exclusion does not affect members who
1166have become disabled as a result of intervening military service
1167under the federal Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act
1168of 2008 (H.R. 6081; P.L. 110-245);
1169     4.  Injury or disease sustained by the member after his or
1170her employment has terminated;
1171     5.  Injury or disease sustained by the member while working
1172for anyone other than the City and arising out of such
1173employment; or
1174     6.  Injury or disease sustained by the member before
1175employment with the City begins. This exclusion subparagraph
1176applies only in the event of an application for a duty
1177disability benefit injury or disease.
1178     (c)  Payment of disability pensions.-Monthly disability
1179retirement benefits shall be payable as of the date the Board
1180determines that the member was entitled to a disability pension;
1181however, the first payment shall actually be paid on the first
1182day of the first month after the Board determines such
1183entitlement. Any portion due for a partial month shall be paid
1184together with the first payment. The last payment shall be, if
1185the member recovers from the disability prior to his or her
1186normal retirement date, the payment due next preceding the date
1187of recovery or, if the member dies without recovering from his
1188or her disability, then the following shall apply:
1189     1.  Member with 10 or more years of service.-Death benefits
1190as set forth in subsection (17) shall be paid.
1191     2.  Member with less than 10 years of service.-Payments
1192shall be made until the member's death.
1193
1194Any monthly disability retirement income payments due after the
1195death of a disabled member shall be paid to the member's
1196designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as provided in section
1197185.162, 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
1202retirement benefit for a married member or for a member with
1203dependent children or parents shall be a disability pension and
1204death benefit. This form of benefit shall provide monthly
1205payments for the life of the member as set forth in subsection
1206(14) or subsection (15), as applicable, or the disability
1207retiree may select optional forms of benefits in accordance with
1208paragraph (9)(d). Thereafter, death benefits shall be paid as
1209provided in subsection (17).
1210     b.  Unmarried member.-The standard form of disability
1211retirement benefit for a member who is not married or who does
1212not have dependent children or parents shall be a 10-year
1213certain benefit. This benefit shall pay monthly benefits for the
1214member's lifetime. In the event the member dies after his or her
1215retirement but before he or she has received disability
1216retirement benefits for a period of 10 years, the same monthly
1217benefit shall be paid to the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as
1218designated by the member for the balance of such 10-year period.
1219In the absence of a designated beneficiary, then the benefits
1220shall be paid to the estate of the retiree.
1221     2.  Duty or nonduty disability with less than 10 years of
1222service.-The standard form of disability retirement benefit
1223shall provide monthly payments for the life of a member as set
1224forth in subsection (14) or subsection (15), as applicable.
1225Thereafter, beneficiary benefits shall be paid as provided in
1226subsection (17), as applicable.
1227     (e)  Reexaminations of disability retirants.-At least once
1228each year during the first 5 years following a member's
1229retirement on account of disability, and at least once in each
12303-year period thereafter, the Board shall require any disability
1231retirant who has not attained age 50 to undergo a medical
1232examination by a physician designated by the Board. If the
1233retirant refuses to submit to the medical examination, his or
1234her disability pension may be suspended by the Board until his
1235or her withdrawal of such refusal. If such refusal continues for
12361 year, all of his or her rights in and to a disability pension
1237may be revoked by the Board. If, upon medical examination of
1238such retirant, the physician reports to the Board that the
1239retirant is physically able and capable of performing the duties
1240of a police officer in the rank held by him or her at the time
1241of his or her retirement, the retirant shall be returned to
1242employment in the Department at a salary not less than the
1243salary of the rank previously held by him or her. The disability
1244pension shall then terminate.
1245     (f)  Credited service for disability retirant.-In the event
1246a disability retirant is returned to employment in the
1247Department, as provided in paragraph (e), he or she shall again
1248become a member of the Fund and shall be restored the credited
1249service at the time of the member's retirement. If he or she
1250retired under a duty disability as provided in paragraph
1251(15)(a), he or she shall be given service credit for the period
1252he or she was in receipt of a disability pension. If the member
1253retired under a nonduty disability as provided in paragraph
1254(14)(a), then he or she shall not be given service credit for
1255the 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
1258years or more.-In the event a member who has 5 or more years of
1259credited service dies, and the Board finds his or her death to
1260have occurred as the result of causes arising outside the
1261performance of his or her duties as a member, the following
1262applicable pensions shall be paid:
1263     1.  A pension equal to two-thirds of the pension to which
1264he or she would have been entitled under subsection (9) if he or
1265she had retired the day preceding the date of his or her death,
1266notwithstanding that he or she might not have satisfied a
1267retirement age and service requirement stipulated in subsection
1268(8), provided that the "widow's pension" shall not be less than
1269one-seventh of the member's final average salary. Upon the
1270surviving spouse's death, the pension shall terminate. Any
1271pension payable under this paragraph shall be subject to the
1272provisions of subsection (18).
1273     2.  In the event the deceased member does not leave a
1274surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse dies and the member
1275leaves an unmarried child or children under age 18, each such
1276child shall receive a pension of any equal share of the pension
1277to which the said deceased member's surviving spouse was
1278entitled or would have been entitled if he or she left a
1279surviving spouse. Upon any such child's adoption, marriage,
1280death, or attainment of age 18, the child's pension shall
1281terminate and it shall be apportioned to the pensions payable to
1282the said deceased member's remaining eligible children under the
1283age of 18. In no case shall the pension payable to any such
1284child exceed one-seventh of the deceased member's final average
1285salary, nor shall it be less than $15 per month. A pension
1286payable under this paragraph shall be subject to the provisions
1287of subsection (18).
1288     3.  In the event the deceased member does not leave a
1289surviving spouse or children eligible to receive a pension and
1290the member leaves a parent or parents who the Board finds are
1291dependent upon the member for at least 50 percent of his, her,
1292or their financial support, each parent shall receive a pension
1293of an equal share of the pension to which the member's surviving
1294spouse would have been entitled if he or she had left a
1295surviving spouse. Upon any such parent's remarriage or death,
1296his or her pension shall terminate. Any pension payable under
1297this paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of subsection
1298(18).
1299     4.  In the event the deceased member does not leave a
1300surviving spouse, children, or parents to receive a pension,
1301then the death benefit, if any, shall be paid to the estate of
1302the deceased member. Any retirement income payments due after
1303the death of a vested member may, in the discretion of the
1304Board, be paid to the member's designated beneficiary or
1305beneficiaries.
1306
1307In any of the above cases, the Board, in its discretion, may
1308direct that the actuarial value of the monthly benefit be paid
1309as a lump sum.
1310     (b)  Duty death.-In the event a member dies and the Board
1311finds his or her death to be the natural and proximate result of
1312a personal injury or disease arising out of and in the course of
1313his or her actual performance of the duties as a police officer
1314in the employ of the City, the following applicable pensions
1315shall be paid:
1316     1.  Effective October 1, 2003, the surviving spouse shall
1317receive a pension equal to two-thirds of the member's highest 12
1318consecutive months' salary or the current top step police
1319officer pay, whichever is greater. Upon the surviving spouse's
1320death, the pension shall terminate. Any pension payable under
1321this paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of subsection
1322(18).
1323     2.  If, in addition to a surviving spouse, the deceased
1324member leaves an unmarried child or children under age 18, each
1325child shall receive a pension of $150 per month. Upon any
1326child's adoption, marriage, death, or attainment of age 18, the
1327child's pension shall terminate. Any pension payable under this
1328paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (18).
1329     3.  In the event the deceased member does not leave a
1330surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse dies, and the
1331member leaves an unmarried child or children under age 18, each
1332such child shall receive a pension of an equal share of one-
1333third of the deceased member's final average salary. Upon any
1334such child's adoption, marriage, death, or attainment of age 18,
1335the child's pension shall terminate and it shall be apportioned
1336to the pensions payable to the deceased member's remaining
1337eligible children under age 18. Any pension payable under this
1338paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (18).
1339     4.  Any pensions payable, under subparagraphs 2. and 3.
1340above, to any child under age 18 shall be paid to his or her
1341legal guardian.
1342     5.  In the event the deceased member does not leave a
1343surviving spouse or children under age 18 eligible to receive a
1344pension provided for in subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., or
1345subparagraph 3., and the member leaves a parent or parents who
1346the Board finds are dependent upon the member for at least 50
1347percent of his, her, or their financial support, then each
1348parent shall receive a pension of an equal share of one-third of
1349the deceased member's final average salary. Upon any such
1350parent's remarriage or death, his or her pension shall
1351terminate. Any pension payable under this paragraph shall be
1352subject to the provisions of subsection (18).
1353     6.  In the event the deceased member does not leave a
1354surviving spouse, children, or parents eligible to receive a
1355pension, then the death benefit, if any, shall be paid to the
1356estate of the deceased member. Any retirement income payments
1357due after the death of a vested member may, in the discretion of
1358the Board, be paid to the member's designated beneficiary or
1359beneficiaries.
1360
1361In any of the above cases, the Board, in its discretion, may
1362direct that the actuarial value of the monthly benefit be paid
1363as a lump sum.
1364     (c)  Death after retirement.-Upon the death of a retirant,
1365the following applicable pensions shall be paid, subject to the
1366provisions of subsection (18):
1367     1.  The surviving spouse of the retirant shall receive a
1368pension of two-thirds of the retirant's pension, provided that
1369the retirant was receiving a pension under paragraph (9)(a).
1370Upon the surviving spouse's death, the pension shall terminate.
1371     2.  In the event the deceased retirant does not leave a
1372surviving spouse eligible to receive a pension, or if the
1373surviving spouse dies and he or she leaves an unmarried child or
1374children under age 18, each child shall receive a pension of an
1375equal share of two-thirds of the deceased retirant's pension.
1376Upon any child's adoption, marriage, death, or attainment of age
137718, the child's pension shall terminate and it shall be
1378apportioned to the pensions payable to the deceased retirant's
1379remaining eligible children under age 18. In no case shall the
1380pension payable to any such child exceed 20 percent of the
1381deceased retirant's pension, or be less than $15 per month.
1382     3.  In the event the deceased retirant does not leave a
1383surviving spouse or children eligible to a pension provided for
1384in subparagraphs 1. and 2. above, and he or she leaves a parent
1385or parents who the Board finds are dependent upon the retirant
1386for at least 50 percent of his, her, or their financial support,
1387each parent shall receive a pension of an equal share of two-
1388thirds of the deceased retirant's pension. Upon any parent's
1389remarriage or death, his or her pension shall terminate.
1390     4.  In the event the deceased member does not leave a
1391surviving spouse, children, or parents eligible to receive a
1392pension, then the death benefit, if any, shall be paid to the
1393estate of the deceased member. Any retirement income payments
1394due after the death of a vested member may, in the discretion of
1395the Board, be paid to the member's designated beneficiary or
1396beneficiaries.
1397
1398In any of the above cases, the Board, in its discretion, may
1399direct that the actuarial value of the monthly benefit be paid
1400as a lump sum.
1401     (18)  Workers' compensation offset.-The pension benefits
1402payable under this act shall not be offset by any workers'
1403compensation benefits payable as a result of the disability or
1404death of a member, except to the extent that the total of the
1405pension benefit and workers' compensation benefit exceeds the
1406member'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
1410salary to the Fund. Effective the first full payroll period
1411after January 1, 2005, the member shall contribute 9 percent of
1412his or her salary to the Fund, which shall be deducted each pay
1413period from the salary of each member in the Department.
1414Effective the first full payroll period after January 1, 2006,
1415the member shall contribute 10 percent of his or her salary to
1416the Fund, which shall be deducted each pay period from the
1417salary of each member in the Department. Effective the first
1418full payroll period after January 1, 2007, the member shall
1419contribute 11 percent of his or her salary to the Fund, which
1420shall be deducted each pay period from the salary of each member
1421in the Department. All amounts of member contributions that are
1422deducted shall be immediately paid over to the Pension Fund. Any
1423contribution amount over 7 percent is to be used to purchase
1424eligibility for participation in the postretirement health
1425insurance benefits.
1426     2.  The City shall cause the contributions provided for in
1427subparagraph 1. to be deducted from the compensation of each
1428member on each payroll, for each pay period, so long as he or
1429she remains a member of the Fund. The member's contributions
1430provided for herein shall be made, notwithstanding that the
1431minimum compensation provided by law for any member is thereby
1432changed. Each member shall be deemed to consent and agree to the
1433deductions made and provided for herein. Payment of
1434compensation, less said deductions, shall be a full and complete
1435discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands whatsoever
1436for the services rendered by him or her during the period
1437covered by such payment, except as to benefits provided by this
1438act. When deducted, each of said contributions shall be paid
1439into the Fund and credited to the individual member from whose
1440compensation said deduction was made.
1441     3.  In addition to the contribution deducted from the
1442compensation of a member, as hereinbefore provided, a member
1443shall deposit in the Fund, by a single contribution or by an
1444increased rate of contribution, as approved by the Board of
1445Trustees, the amount of previously withdrawn member
1446contributions not repaid to the Fund, together with regular
1447interest from the date of withdrawal to the date of repayment.
1448In no case shall any member be given credit for service rendered
1449prior to the date he withdrew his aggregate contributions until
1450he or she repays to the member's deposit account all amounts due
1451the 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
1454police officer and not be entitled to a pension payable from the
1455Fund, upon application to and approval by the Board, he or she
1456shall be paid the aggregate contributions standing to his or her
1457credit in the Fund, without interest, less any benefits paid to
1458him or her. In accordance with paragraph (2)(q), a member who
1459has ceased to be employed by the City as a police officer may
1460elect to voluntarily leave his or her contributions in the
1461member's deposit account for a period of up to 5 years, pending
1462the possibility of being rehired by the Department. If the
1463member is not reemployed at the expiration of 5 years following
1464the date the member ceased to be employed by the City as a
1465police officer, all contributions remaining in the member's
1466deposit account shall be refunded without interest.
1467     2.  Upon the death of a member, if no pension becomes
1468payable on account of his or her death, the aggregate
1469contributions standing to the member's credit in the Fund at the
1470time of death shall be paid to his or her designated
1471beneficiary. If there be no such designated person surviving the
1472member, his or her aggregate contributions shall be paid to his
1473or her estate in accordance with subsection (17).
1474     3.  Repayments Payments of refunds of a member's aggregate
1475contributions, in accordance with subsection (6) and as provided
1476in this paragraph, may be made in bimonthly monthly installments
1477according to such rules and regulations as the Board of Trustees
1478shall from time to time adopt.
1479     (20)  Sources of revenue.-
1480     (a)  Contributions credited to Fund.-The contributions to
1481be credited to the Fund shall consist of, but shall not be
1482limited to, the following sources of revenue:
1483     1.  Taxes of insurance companies.-The moneys returned to
1484the City as provided by chapter 185, Florida Statutes, shall be
1485used to fund the share account benefit described in subsection
1486(11). The City shall not opt out of participation in chapter
1487185, Florida Statutes, or any similar statutory enactment unless
1488exigent circumstances exist, such as the bankruptcy of the City
1489or changes or amendments to the statute regarding extra
1490benefits. If any statutory changes are made by the Legislature,
1491the City and the Board shall renegotiate the impact of such
1492changes, if necessary.
1493     2.  City contribution.-The City shall contribute to the
1494Fund annually an amount which, together with the contributions
1495from the members and the amount derived from the premium tax
1496provided in chapter 185, Florida Statutes, and other income
1497sources as authorized by law, shall be sufficient to meet the
1498normal cost of the Fund and to fund the actuarial deficiency
1499over a period of not more than 40 years, provided that the net
1500increase, if any, in unfunded liability of the Fund arising from
1501significant amendments or other changes shall be amortized
1502within 30 plan years.
1503     3.  Member contributions.-As provided in subsection (19).
1504     4.  Gifts, etc.-All gifts, bequests, and devises when
1505donated to the Fund.
1506     5.  Interest from deposits.-All accretions to the Fund by
1507way of interest on bank deposits or otherwise.
1508     6.  Other sources.-All other sources of income now or
1509hereafter authorized by law for the augmentation of the Fund.
1510     (b)  Actuarial valuations.-The Fund shall be actuarially
1511evaluated at least once in each 3-year period.
1512     (21)  Investments.-
1513     (a)  The Board shall have the power and authority to invest
1514and reinvest the moneys of the Fund and to hold, purchase, sell,
1515assign, transfer, and dispose of any securities and investments
1516held in the Fund, including the power and authority to employ
1517counseling or investment management services. The aim of the
1518investment policies shall be to preserve the integrity and
1519security of Fund principal, to maintain a balanced investment
1520portfolio, to maintain and enhance the value of the Fund
1521principal, and to secure the maximum total return on investments
1522that is consonant with safety of principal, provided that such
1523investments and reinvestments shall be limited only by the
1524investments permitted by the investment policy guidelines
1525adopted by the Board in accordance with Florida law.
1526Notwithstanding the foregoing, investments in foreign
1527investments are limited in accordance with section
1528185.06(1)(b)4., Florida Statutes.
1529     1.  The Board members must discharge these duties with
1530respect to the Plan solely in the interest of the participants
1531and beneficiaries and:
1532     a.1.  For the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to
1533participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable
1534expenses of administering the Plan;
1535     b.2.  With the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under
1536the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting
1537in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in
1538the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like
1539aims; and
1540     c.3.  By diversifying the investments of the Plan so as to
1541minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the
1542circumstances it is clearly prudent not to do so.
1543     2.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection
1544and as provided in section 215.473, Florida Statutes, the Board
1545must identify and publicly report any direct or indirect
1546holdings it may have in any scrutinized company, as defined in
1547section 215.473, Florida Statutes. Beginning January 1, 2010,
1548the Board must proceed to sell, redeem, divest, or withdraw all
1549publicly traded securities it may have directly in any
1550scrutinized company. The divestiture of any such security must
1551be completed by September 10, 2010. The Board and its named
1552officers or investment advisors may not be deemed to have
1553breached their fiduciary duty in any action taken to dispose of
1554any such security, and the Board shall have satisfactorily
1555discharged the fiduciary duties of loyalty, prudence, and sole
1556and exclusive benefit to the participants of the Pension Fund
1557and their beneficiaries if the Board's actions are consistent
1558with the duties imposed by section 215.473, Florida Statutes, as
1559provided for in section 185.06(7), Florida Statutes, and the
1560manner of the disposition, if any, is reasonable as to the means
1561chosen. For purposes of determining which companies are
1562scrutinized companies, the Board may utilize the list of
1563scrutinized companies as developed by the State Board of
1564Administration. No person may bring any civil, criminal, or
1565administrative action against the Board of Trustees or any
1566employee, officer, director, or advisor of such Pension Fund
1567based upon the divestiture of any security pursuant to this
1568subparagraph.
1569     (b)  Professional counsel.-Board shall be required to
1570engage the services of professional investment counsel to assist
1571and advise the Trustees in the performance of their duties.
1572     (c)  Restricted use of assets.-The assets of the Police
1573Pension Fund shall be used only for the payment of benefits and
1574other disbursements authorized by this act and shall be used for
1575no other purpose.
1576     (d)  Performance evaluation and manager selection.-At least
1577once every 3 years, the Board of Trustees shall retain an
1578independent consultant professionally qualified to evaluate the
1579performance of its professional money manager or investment
1580counsel. The independent consultant shall make recommendations
1581to the Board of Trustees regarding the selection of money
1582managers for the next investment term. These recommendations
1583shall be considered by the Board of Trustees at its next
1584regularly scheduled meeting. The date, time, place, and subject
1585of this meeting shall be advertised in a newspaper of general
1586circulation in the municipality at least 10 days prior to the
1587date of the hearing.
1588     (e)  Administrative expenses.-The administrative expenses
1589of the Fund shall be paid by the Fund.
1590     (22)  Existing benefits continued.-This act, and any
1591amendments hereto, shall not be construed to increase or
1592decrease the benefits payable to, or on account of, any member
1593who 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
1596any person under the provisions of this act and the accumulated
1597contributions and the cash securities in the Fund created under
1598this act shall not be subject to execution or attachment or to
1599any legal process whatsoever and shall be unassignable. However,
1600pursuant to a court support order, the trustees may direct that
1601retirement benefits be paid for alimony or child support in
1602accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Board of
1603Trustees.
1604     (b)  Upon written request by the retiree, the Board may
1605authorize the Plan administrator to withhold from the monthly
1606retirement 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
1610care insurance for the retiree's spouse and dependents.
1611
1612A retirement plan does not incur liability for participation in
1613this permissive program if the Board's actions are taken in good
1614faith 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
1617other benefits payable from the Fund as a result of an accident
1618or injury caused by the act of a third party, the City shall be
1619subrogated to the rights of the said person against such third
1620person to the extent of the benefits which the City pays or
1621becomes liable to pay hereunder.
1622     (b)  No person shall be entitled to a pension under this
1623act who is convicted of a specified offense as provided in
1624section 112.3173, Florida Statutes.
1625     (25)  Ordinances applicable.-All ordinances of the City
1626applicable to chapter 185, Florida Statutes, are hereby made
1627applicable to this act with equal force and effect. No proposed
1628change or amendment to this act shall be adopted without the
1629approval required by section 185.35(2), Florida Statutes.
1630     (26)  Review procedures.-
1631     (a)  The applicant for benefits under this act may, within
163220 days after being informed of the denial of his or her request
1633for pension benefits, appeal said denial by filing a reply to
1634the proposed order with the pension's coordinator. If no appeal
1635is filed within the time period specified, then the proposed
1636order shall be final.
1637     (b)  The Board of Trustees shall hold a hearing within 45
1638days after the receipt of the appeal. Written notice of said
1639hearing shall be sent by certified mail to the applicant 10 days
1640prior 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
1643present physical and testimonial evidence and argument on all
1644issues involved, to conduct cross-examination, to submit
1645rebuttal evidence, and to be represented by counsel. Medical
1646reports and depositions may be accepted in lieu of live
1647testimony, at the Board's discretion.
1648     2.  All witnesses shall be sworn.
1649     3.  The applicant and the Board shall have an opportunity
1650to question all witnesses.
1651     4.  Formal rules of evidence and formal rules of civil
1652procedure shall not apply. The proceedings shall comply with the
1653essential requirements of due process and law.
1654     5.  The record in a case governed by this subsection shall
1655consist only of:
1656     a.  A tape recording of the hearing, to be taped and
1657maintained as part of the official files of the Board of
1658Trustees by the pension's secretary.
1659     b.  Evidence received or considered.
1660     c.  All notices, pleadings, motions, and intermediate
1661rulings.
1662     d.  Any decisions, opinions, proposed or recommended
1663orders, or reports by the Board of Trustees.
1664     (d)  Within 5 days after the hearing, the Board shall take
1665one of the following actions:
1666     1.  Grant the pension benefits by overturning the proposed
1667order by majority vote.
1668     2.  Deny the benefits and approve the proposed order as a
1669final order, after making any changes in the order that the
1670Board feels is necessary.
1671     (e)  Findings of fact by the Board shall be based on
1672competent, substantial evidence on the record.
1673     (f)  Within 20 calendar days after rendering its order, the
1674Board of Trustees shall send by certified mail a copy of said
1675order to the applicant.
1676     (g)  The applicant may seek review of the order of the
1677Board of Trustees by filing a petition for writ of certiorari
1678with the circuit court within 30 days.
1679     (27)  Lump sum payment of small retirement income.-
1680Notwithstanding any provision of the Fund to the contrary, if
1681the monthly retirement income payable to any person entitled to
1682benefits hereunder is less than $30 or if the single sum value
1683of the accrued retirement income is less than $1,000 $5,000 as
1684of the date of retirement or termination of service, whichever
1685is applicable, the Board of Trustees, in the exercise of its
1686discretion, may specify that the actuarial equivalent of such
1687retirement income be paid in lump sum.
1688     (28)  Pickup of member contributions.-Effective the first
1689day of the first full payroll period of the first calendar
1690quarter following receipt of a favorable determination letter
1691from the Internal Revenue Service, the City shall pick up the
1692member contribution required by this section. The contributions
1693so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions in
1694determining tax treatment under the United States Internal
1695Revenue Code. The City shall pick up the member contributions
1696from funds established and available for salaries, which funds
1697would otherwise have been designated as member contributions and
1698paid to the Fund. Member contributions picked up by the City
1699pursuant to this subsection shall be treated for purposes of
1700making a refund of members' contributions, and for all other
1701purposes of this and other laws, in the same manner and to the
1702same extent as member contributions made prior to the effective
1703date of this section. The intent of this section is to comply
1704with 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.
1708415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code).
1709     (b)  If a member has less than 10 years of service with the
1710City, the applicable limitation in paragraph (a) shall be
1711reduced by multiplying such limitation by a fraction, not to
1712exceed 1. The numerator of such fraction shall be the number of
1713years, or part thereof, of service with the City; the
1714denominator shall be 10 years.
1715     (c)  For purposes of this subsection, "annual benefit"
1716means a benefit payable annually in the form of a straight life
1717annuity with no ancillary incidental benefits and with no member
1718or rollover contributions. To the extent that ancillary benefits
1719are provided, the limits set forth in paragraph (a) shall be
1720reduced actuarially, using an interest rate assumption equal to
1721the greater of 5 percent or the rate being used for actuarial
1722equivalence, to reflect such ancillary benefits.
1723     (d)  If distribution of retirement benefits begins before
1724age 62, the dollar limitation as described in paragraph (a)
1725shall be reduced, using an interest rate assumption equal to the
1726greater of 5 percent or the interest rate used for actuarial
1727equivalence; however, retirement benefits shall not be reduced
1728below $75,000 if payment of benefits begins at or after age 55
1729and not below the actuarial equivalent of $75,000 if payment of
1730benefits begins before age 55. For a member with 15 or more
1731years of service with the City, the reductions described above
1732shall not reduce such member's benefit below $50,000 (adjusted
1733for cost of living in accordance with s. 415(d) of the Internal
1734Revenue Code, but only for the year in which such adjustment is
1735effective). If retirement benefits begin after age 65, the
1736dollar limitation of paragraph (a) shall be increased
1737actuarially by using an interest assumption equal to the lesser
1738of 5 percent or the rate used for actuarial equivalence.
1739     (e)  Compensation in excess of limitations set forth in s.
1740401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be disregarded.
1741The limitation on compensation for an eligible employee shall
1742not be less than the amount that was allowed to be taken into
1743account hereunder as in effect on July 1, 1993. "Eligible
1744employee" is an individual who was a member before the first
1745plan year beginning after December 31, 1995.
1746     (30)  Required distributions.-
1747     (a)  In accordance with s. 401(a)(9) of the Internal
1748Revenue Code, all benefits under this plan shall be distributed,
1749beginning not later than the required beginning date set forth
1750below, over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of
1751the police officers or the life expectancy of the police officer
1752and a beneficiary designated in accordance with paragraph
1753(9)(e).
1754     (b)  Any and all benefit payments shall begin by the later
1755of:
1756     1.  April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar
1757year of the member's retirement date; or
1758     2.  April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar
1759year in which the member attains age 70-1/2.
1760     (c)  If an employee dies before his or her entire vested
1761interest has been distributed to him or her, the remaining
1762portion of such interest shall be distributed at least as
1763rapidly as provided for under subsection (17).
1764     (31)(a)  Rollovers from qualified plans.-A member may roll
1765over all or a part of his or her interest in another qualified
1766plan to the Fund, provided all of the following requirements are
1767met:
1768     1.  Some or all of the amount distributed from the other
1769plan is rolled over to this plan no later than the 60th day
1770after distribution was made from the Plan or, if distributions
1771are made in installments, no later than the 60th day after the
1772last distribution was made.
1773     2.  The amount rolled over to this Fund does not include
1774any amount contributed by the member to the Plan on a post tax
1775basis.
1776     3.  The rollover is made in cash.
1777     4.  The member certifies that the distribution is eligible
1778for a rollover.
1779     5.  Any amount which the Trustees accept as a rollover to
1780this Fund shall, along with any earnings allocated to them, be
1781fully vested at all times.
1782
1783A rollover may also be made to this Plan from an individual
1784retirement account qualified under s. 408 of the Internal
1785Revenue Code when the individual retirement account was merely
1786used as a conduit for funds from another qualified plan and the
1787rollover is made in accordance with the rules provided in
1788subparagraphs 1.-5. Amounts rolled over may be segregated from
1789other Fund assets. The trustees shall separately account for
1790gains, losses, and administrative expenses of these rollovers as
1791provided for in subsections (11) and (13). In addition, the Fund
1792may accept the direct transfer of a member's benefits from
1793another qualified retirement plan or an Internal Revenue Code
1794section 457 plan. The Fund shall account for direct transfers in
1795the same manner as a rollover and shall obtain certification
1796from the member that the amounts are eligible for a rollover or
1797direct transfer to this Fund.
1798     (b)  Transfer of accumulated leave.-
1799     1.  Members who are eligible to receive a lump-sum payment
1800for accumulated leave payable upon separation and who have funds
1801remaining after the contributions to the health savings account
1802as required by the collective bargaining agreement shall have
1803the remaining leave payment transferred to the Fund up to the
1804amount permitted by law. Any additional amounts shall be paid
1805directly to the member. Members on whose behalf leave has been
1806transferred shall maintain the entire amount of the transferred
1807leave balance in the DROP or Share Account.
1808     2.  If a member on whose behalf the City makes a
1809transferred leave balance to the Plan dies after retirement or
1810other separation, then any person who would have received a
1811death benefit had the member died in service immediately prior
1812to the date of retirement or other separation shall be entitled
1813to receive an amount equal to the transferred leave balance in a
1814lump sum. In the case of a surviving spouse or former spouse, an
1815election may be made to transfer the leave balance to an
1816eligible retirement plan in lieu of the lump sum payment.
1817Failure to make such an election by the surviving spouse or
1818former spouse within 60 days after the member's death shall be
1819deemed an election to receive the lump sum payment.
1820     3.  The Board, by rule, shall prescribe the method for
1821implementing the provisions of this paragraph.
1822     4.  Amounts transferred under this section shall remain
1823invested 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
1826after January 1, 1993. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan
1827to the contrary that would otherwise limit a distributee's
1828election under this subsection, a distributee may elect, at the
1829time and in the manner prescribed by the Board of Trustees, to
1830have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid
1831directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the
1832distributee in a direct rollover.
1833     (b)  Definitions.-
1834     1.  "Eligible rollover distribution" is any distribution of
1835all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the
1836distributee, except that an eligible rollover does not include
1837any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal
1838periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for
1839the life (or life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint
1840lives (or joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the
1841distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a specified period
1842of 10 years or more; any distribution to the extent such
1843distribution is required under s. 401(a)(9) of the Internal
1844Revenue Code; and the portion of any distribution that is not
1845includable in gross income.
1846     2.  "Eligible retirement plan" is an individual retirement
1847account described in s. 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, an
1848individual retirement annuity described in s. 408(b) of the
1849Internal Revenue Code, an annuity plan described in s. 403(a) of
1850the Internal Revenue Code, or a qualified trust described in s.
1851401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code that accepts the
1852distributee's eligible rollover distribution. However, in the
1853case of an eligible rollover distribution to the surviving
1854spouse, an "eligible retirement plan" is an individual
1855retirement account or individual retirement annuity.
1856     3.  "Distributee" includes an employee or former employee.
1857In addition, the employee's or former employee's surviving
1858spouse and the employee's or former employee's spouse or former
1859spouse who is entitled to payment for alimony and child support
1860under a domestic relations order determined to be qualified by
1861this Fund are distributees with regard to the interest of the
1862spouse or former spouse.
1863     4.  "Direct rollover" is a payment by the Plan to the
1864eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.
1865     (33)  Miscellaneous requirements.-
1866     (a)  No benefit of any kind shall be payable from the
1867assets of the Pension Fund unless specifically provided for in
1868this act; however, the Board of Trustees, with the approval of
1869the City, may grant ad hoc benefits after a public hearing and
1870acceptance by the state of an actuarial impact statement
1871submitted pursuant to part VII of chapter 112, Florida Statutes.
1872     (b)  The City may not offset any part of its required
1873annual contribution by the Fund's assets except as determined in
1874an actuarial valuation, the report for which is determined to be
1875state accepted pursuant to part VII of chapter 112, Florida
1876Statutes.
1877     (c)  All provisions of this act and operations of the
1878Pension Fund shall be carried out in compliance with part VII of
1879chapter 112, Florida Statutes.
1880     (d)1.  It is unlawful for a person to willfully and
1881knowingly make, or cause to be made, or to assist, conspire
1882with, or urge another to make, or cause to be made, any false,
1883fraudulent, or misleading oral or written statement or to
1884withhold or conceal material information to obtain any benefit
1885under this Plan.
1886     2.a.  A person who violates subparagraph 1. commits a
1887misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in
1888section 775.082 or section 775.083, Florida Statutes.
1889     b.  In addition to any applicable criminal penalty, upon
1890conviction for a violation described in subparagraph 1., a
1891participant or beneficiary of this Plan may, in the discretion
1892of the Board of Trustees, be required to forfeit the right to
1893receive any or all benefits to which the person would otherwise
1894be entitled under this Plan. For purposes of this sub-
1895subparagraph, "conviction" means a determination of guilt that
1896is the result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether
1897adjudication is withheld.
1898     (34)  Actuarial assumptions.-The following actuarial
1899assumptions shall be used for all purposes in connection with
1900this Fund, effective October 1, 1999:
1901     (a)  The assumed investment rate of return shall be 8.25
1902percent.
1903     (b)  The period for amortizing current, future, and past
1904actuarial gains or losses shall be 20 years.
1905
1906The consequences of the change in assumptions in paragraphs (a)
1907and (b) shall first take effect during the October 1, 1999-
1908September 30, 2000, fiscal year of the City of West Palm Beach.
1909To the extent that effective dates or legislative delays might
1910influence the direct application to the October 1, 1999-
1911September 30, 2000, fiscal year of the actuarial cost estimate
1912dated March 24, 2000, there shall be a minimum contribution
1913reserve established by the Pension Fund for the City of West
1914Palm Beach. The reserve shall be credited with any amounts
1915contributed to the Pension Fund by the City of West Palm Beach
1916during the October 1, 1999-September 30, 2000, fiscal year in
1917excess of $1,462,965. This amount has been determined by
1918combining the contribution requirement from the September 30,
19191998, actuarial valuation report dated May 7, 1999, with the
1920subsequent actuarial cost estimate dated March 24, 2000, both of
1921which were prepared by the Fund's actuary.
1922     (35)  Other police officer or military service.-
1923     (a)  Prior police officer or military service.-Unless
1924otherwise prohibited by law, the years, or fractional parts of
1925years, that a member previously served as a police officer with
1926the City during a period of employment and for which accumulated
1927contributions were withdrawn from the fund, or the years, or
1928fractional parts of years, that a member served as a police
1929officer for this or any other municipal, county, state, or
1930federal law enforcement office or any time served in the
1931military service of the Armed Forces of the United States shall
1932be added to the years of credited service, provided that the
1933member contributes to the fund the sum that would have been
1934contributed, based on the member's salary and the employee
1935contribution rate in effect at the time that the credited
1936service is requested, had the member been a member of this
1937system for the years, or fractional parts of years, for which
1938the credit is requested, plus the amount actuarially determined,
1939such that the crediting of service does not result in any cost
1940to the fund, plus payment of costs for all professional services
1941rendered to the Board in connection with the purchase of years
1942of credited service.
1943     1.  Payment by the member of the required amount may be
1944made within 6 months after the request for credit and in one
1945lump sum payment, or the member may buy back this time over a
1946period equal to the length of time being purchased or 5 years,
1947whichever is greater, at an interest rate which is equal to the
1948Fund's actuarial assumption. A member may request to purchase
1949some or all years of service.
1950     2.  The credit purchased under this subsection shall count
1951for all purposes, except vesting.
1952     3.  In no event, however, may credited service be purchased
1953pursuant to this section for prior service with any other
1954municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement office, if
1955such prior service forms or will form the basis of a retirement
1956benefit or pension from another retirement system or plan.
1957     4.  In the event that a member who is in the process of
1958purchasing service suffers a disability and is awarded a benefit
1959from the plan, the member shall not be required to complete the
1960buyback. However, contributions made prior to the date the
1961disability payment begins will be retained by the Fund.
1962     5.  If a member who has either completed the purchase of
1963service or is in the process of purchasing service terminates
1964before vesting, the member's contributions shall be refunded,
1965including the buyback contributions.
1966     6.  A request to purchase service may be made at any time
1967during the course of employment; however, the buyback is a one-
1968time opportunity.
1969     7.  A member who previously served as a police officer with
1970the City during a period of employment and for which accumulated
1971contributions were withdrawn from the Fund may recontribute such
1972withdrawn contributions plus interest from the date of
1973withdrawal to the date of repayment in accordance with
1974subsection (6).
1975     (b)  Intervening military service.-In determining the
1976creditable service of any police officer, credit for up to 5
1977years of the time spent in the military service of the Armed
1978Forces of the United States shall be added to the years of
1979actual service without employee contribution, if:
1980     1.  The police officer is in the active employ of the
1981municipality prior to such service and leaves a position, other
1982than a temporary position, for the purpose of voluntary or
1983involuntary service in the Armed Forces of the United States.
1984     2.  The police officer is entitled to reemployment under
1985the provisions of the federal Uniformed Services Employment and
1986Reemployment Rights Act.
1987     3.  The police officer returns to his or her employment as
1988a police officer of the municipality within 1 year after the
1989date of his or her release from such active service, except
1990that, effective January 1, 2007, members who die or become
1991disabled while on active duty military service shall be entitled
1992to the rights of this section even though such member was not
1993reemployed by the City. A member who dies or becomes disabled
1994while on active duty military service shall be treated as though
1995he or she were reemployed the day before he or she became
1996disabled or died, were credited with the service he or she would
1997have been entitled to under this section, and then either died a
1998nonduty death while employed or became disabled from a nonduty
1999disability.
2000     (36)  Reemployment after retirement.-
2001     (a)  Reemployment by public or private employer.-Any
2002retiree who is retired under this Plan, except for disability
2003retirement as previously provided for, may be reemployed by any
2004public or private employer, except the City, and may receive
2005compensation from that employment without limiting or
2006restricting in any way the retirement benefits payable under
2007this Plan. Reemployment by the City on or after August 1, 2008,
2008shall be subject to the limitations set forth in this section.
2009     (b)  Reemployment after normal retirement outside Police
2010Department.-Any retiree who is retired under normal retirement
2011pursuant to this Plan and who is reemployed by the City after
2012that retirement shall, upon being reemployed, continue receipt
2013of benefits, provided the retiree is not hired into the Police
2014Department. Upon reemployment, the retiree is eligible to
2015participate in the plan offered to new employees of that
2016department, and the retiree shall be deemed a new employee
2017subject to any vesting and contribution requirements of that
2018plan. The benefit paid under this Plan shall not be changed in
2019any way.
2020     (c)  Reemployment after normal retirement in Police
2021Department.-Any retiree who is retired after normal retirement
2022pursuant to this Plan shall not be reemployed by the Police
2023Department as a police officer or in any position that
2024supervises police officers. The pension of a retiree who is
2025reemployed by the Police Department as a police officer or in
2026any position that supervises police officers shall stop until
2027the member terminates employment. However, a retiree who is
2028reemployed by the Police Department neither as a police officer
2029nor in any position that supervises police officers is eligible
2030to participate in the plan offered to new employees of that
2031employee classification, and the retiree shall be deemed a new
2032employee subject to any vesting and contribution requirements of
2033that plan. The benefit paid under this Plan shall not be changed
2034in any way.
2035     (d)  Reemployment of terminated vested persons.-Reemployed
2036terminated vested persons shall not be subject to the provisions
2037of this section until such time as they begin to actually
2038receive benefits but shall be subject to paragraph (9)(c). Upon
2039receipt of benefits, terminated vested persons shall be treated
2040as normal retirees for purposes of applying the provisions of
2041this section.
2042     (e)  DROP participants.-Members or retirees who were in the
2043deferred retirement option plan shall have the options provided
2044for in this section for reemployment after termination of
2045employment as if the retiree were a retiree under normal
2046retirement.
2047     (37)  Termination of the Plan.-Upon termination of the Plan
2048by the City for any reason, or because of a transfer, merger, or
2049consolidation of governmental units, services, or functions as
2050provided in chapter 121, Florida Statutes, or upon written
2051notice to the Board by the City that contributions under the
2052Plan are being permanently discontinued, the rights of all
2053employees to benefits accrued to the date of such termination or
2054discontinuance and the amounts credited to the employees'
2055accounts are nonforfeitable. The Fund shall be distributed in
2056accordance with the following procedures:
2057     (a)  The Board shall determine the date of distribution and
2058the asset value required to fund all the nonforfeitable benefits
2059after taking into account the expenses of such distribution. The
2060Board shall inform the City if additional assets are required,
2061in which event the City shall continue to financially support
2062the Plan until all nonforfeitable benefits have been funded.
2063     (b)  The Board shall determine the method of distribution
2064of the asset value and whether distribution shall be by payment
2065in cash, by the maintenance of another or substituted trust
2066fund, by the purchase of insured annuities, or otherwise for
2067each police officer entitled to benefits under the Plan, as
2068specified in paragraph (c).
2069     (c)  The Board shall distribute the asset value as of the
2070date of termination in the manner set forth in this subsection
2071on the basis that the amount required to provide any given
2072retirement income is the actuarially computed single-sum value
2073of such retirement income, except that if the method of
2074distribution determined under paragraph (b) involves the
2075purchase of an insured annuity, the amount required to provide
2076the given retirement income is the single premium payable for
2077such annuity. The actuarial single-sum value may not be less
2078than the employee's accumulated contributions to the Plan, with
2079interest if provided by the Plan, less the value of any Plan
2080benefits previously paid to the employee.
2081     (d)  If there is asset value remaining after the full
2082distribution specified in paragraph (c), and after payment of
2083any expenses incurred with such distribution, such excess shall
2084be returned to the City, less the return to the state of the
2085state's contributions, provided that if the excess is less than
2086the total contributions made by the City and the state to date
2087of termination of the Plan, such excess shall be divided
2088proportionately to the total contributions made by the City and
2089the state.
2090     (e)  The Board shall distribute, in accordance with the
2091manner of distribution determined under paragraph (b), the
2092amounts determined under paragraph (c).
2093     Section 2.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.


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