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S.B. 223

             1     

DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM

             2     
2001 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Gene Davis

             5      This act modifies the Utah State Retirement Systems Code by authorizing a deferred
             6      retirement option program for members of all retirement systems. This act provides and
             7      regulates DROP eligibility, accounts, contributions, penalties, restrictions, and limitations.
             8      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             9      ENACTS:
             10          49-1-801, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             11          49-1-802, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             12          49-1-803, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             13          49-1-804, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             14          49-1-805, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             15          49-1-806, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             16          49-1-807, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             17          49-1-808, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             18          49-1-809, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             19      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             20          Section 1. Section 49-1-801 is enacted to read:
             21     
Part 8. Deferred Retirement Option Program

             22          49-1-801. Definitions.
             23          As used in this part:
             24          (1) "DROP" means a deferred retirement option plan.
             25          (2) "System" means the retirement system covering the member at the time of retirement.
             26          Section 2. Section 49-1-802 is enacted to read:
             27          49-1-802. Eligibility for DROP.


             28          (1) (a) A member is eligible to participate in DROP if the member is qualified to retire
             29      with no actuarial reduction in accordance with the member's system.
             30          (b) A member may purchase retirement service credit prior to participation in DROP.
             31          (2) Participation in DROP is voluntary and at the discretion of the participant.
             32          Section 3. Section 49-1-803 is enacted to read:
             33          49-1-803. Application -- Agreement.
             34          (1) To participate in DROP, a participant shall apply to the retirement office and enter an
             35      agreement that the participant:
             36          (a) shall continue active employment, subject to the DROP conditions under this part;
             37          (b) has retirement finalized, with no future change in retirement options;
             38          (c) may not accrue additional retirement service credit;
             39          (d) may participate in DROP for a maximum of 60 months; and
             40          (e) employment shall terminate with the employer prior to the end of the 60 months.
             41          (2) After three calendar days, the participant's DROP agreement is irrevocable.
             42          (3) The board shall adopt:
             43          (a) approved DROP agreements and forms; and
             44          (b) policies and procedures governing DROP.
             45          Section 4. Section 49-1-804 is enacted to read:
             46          49-1-804. DROP accounts.
             47          (1) Upon approval of a participant's DROP agreement, the retirement office shall create
             48      a DROP account for the participant.
             49          (2) (a) A DROP participant's employer shall pay 2/3 of the system's board certified
             50      contribution rate to the retirement office.
             51          (b) The retirement office may deduct its actual DROP administrative costs from the
             52      contribution under Subsection (2)(a), up to a maximum of 1/3 of the system's certified contribution
             53      rate.
             54          (3) The retirement office shall deposit monthly into the participant's DROP account:
             55          (a) the participant's system monthly retirement allowance calculated as if the participant
             56      had retired;
             57          (b) the participant's system cost-of-living allowance adjustments;
             58          (c) the employer's contribution, less the deduction, in accordance with Subsection (2); and


             59          (d) interest compounded monthly at an effective annual rate of 7.5%.
             60          (4) The participant may elect to make an additional tax deferred contribution to the
             61      participant's DROP account.
             62          (5) A participant's DROP account is vested to the participant, subject to Section 49-1-805 .
             63          (6) The payout of a DROP account shall be elected by the participant within 60 days of
             64      DROP termination as:
             65          (a) a lump sum payout;
             66          (b) an annuity;
             67          (c) a direct rollover;
             68          (d) a partial lump-sum payout; or
             69          (e) any other distribution permitted by the Internal Revenue Service and approved by the
             70      board.
             71          Section 5. Section 49-1-805 is enacted to read:
             72          49-1-805. Penalty.
             73          If a participant does not leave employment after the 60 month maximum under DROP, the
             74      retirement office shall:
             75          (1) cancel the participant's retirement; and
             76          (2) (a) terminate the participant's DROP account and forfeit the account balance to the
             77      participant's system; and
             78          (b) charge the employer for the remaining employer contributions due during the
             79      participant's DROP participation as calculated by the administrator on an actuarial equivalent
             80      basis.    
             81          Section 6. Section 49-1-806 is enacted to read:
             82          49-1-806. Interruptions in DROP service.
             83          (1) A DROP participant is not eligible for long-term disability benefits if the participant
             84      incurs a disability.
             85          (2) The death benefit for a DROP participant is:
             86          (a) the participant's DROP account balance; and
             87          (b) the system death benefit for retirees.
             88          Section 7. Section 49-1-807 is enacted to read:
             89          49-1-807. Postretirement restrictions.


             90          Upon termination of DROP participation, the participant:
             91          (1) is subject to the remployment restrictions in Section 49-1-505 ;
             92          (2) may not accrue additional retirement service credits; and
             93          (3) may not participate in DROP again.
             94          Section 8. Section 49-1-808 is enacted to read:
             95          49-1-808. Effect of court order.
             96          A participant's DROP account is subject to division upon a court order with respect to
             97      domestic relations matters in accordance with Section 49-1-609 .
             98          Section 9. Section 49-1-809 is enacted to read:
             99          49-1-809. Limit on benefits.
             100          Nothing in this part shall allow a participant to receive benefits in excess of those allowed
             101      by the Internal Revenue Code for qualified pension plans.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-30-01 5:12 PM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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