[Adopted 9-21-2015 by Ord. No. 667[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. II,
Police Pension, adopted 5-28-2003 by Ord. No. 594.
The following words and phrases, as used in
this Plan, shall have the meanings set forth in this article, unless
a different meaning is otherwise clearly required by the context:
As of any given date, the benefit determined under § 36-8B, calculated on the basis of final monthly average salary as of the date of determination and multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the participant's aggregate service determined as of such date and the denominator of which shall be the projected aggregate service of the participant as if the participant continues in employment until attainment of normal retirement age. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event shall the fraction exceed one. The accrued benefit shall not exceed the maximum limitation, determined as of the date of computation, provided under § 36-8H. All accrued benefits are subject to all applicable limitations, reductions, offsets, and actuarial adjustments provided pursuant to the terms of the Plan prior to the actual payment thereof.
The total amount contributed by any participant to this fund or its predecessor by way of payroll deduction or otherwise, plus interest credited at 2.5% per annum. Interest shall be credited in the form of a compound interest rate from the midpoint of the plan year during which the contributions were paid to the first day of the month preceding the date that a distribution of accumulated contributions under § 36-10E or § 36-11B shall be paid or payment of benefits shall commence.
The Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery
Act which was enacted as Act 205 of 1984, as amended, 53 P.S. § 895.101
et seq.
Two forms of payment of equal actuarial present value on
a specified date. The actuarial present value shall be determined
by use of the UP-1984 Mortality Table and 7% interest unless otherwise
specifically provided herein.
The person, partnership, association or corporation, which
at any given time is serving as actuary, provided that such actuary
must be an "approved actuary," as defined in the Act.
The total period or periods of the participant's employment
with the employer, whether or not interrupted. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, should any such participant receive a distribution
of accumulated contributions with respect to a period of employment
for which employee contributions are required, such period of employment
shall not be included in aggregate service thereafter unless, at the
commencement of the next period of employment, the participant repays
to the fund the amount of such distribution with interest. For purposes
of this definition, interest shall accrue as of the date the employee
receives a distribution of accumulated contributions and shall be
computed at the same rate and in the same manner as described in the
definition of "accumulated contributions." Aggregate service shall
be calculated in completed years and months, and shall not include
any period of a voluntary leave of absence without pay.
The person or entity designated by the participant to receive
a distribution of the participant's accumulated contributions should
the participant die prior to becoming entitled to a retirement benefit.
In the event that a participant does not designate a beneficiary or
the beneficiary does not survive the participant, the beneficiary
shall be the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse,
the issue, per stirpes, or if there is no surviving issue, the estate;
but if no personal representative has been appointed, to those persons
who would be entitled to the estate under the intestacy laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania if the participant had died intestate
and a resident of Pennsylvania.
The Borough of Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
The Council of the Borough of Honesdale, and also referred
to herein as the "Board."
The person designated by the Borough who has the primary
responsibility for the execution of the administrative affairs for
the plan.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The Police Pension Committee as determined pursuant to § 36-12B.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The total remuneration of the employee, whether salary or
hourly wages, including overtime pay, ranking officer pay, and longevity
pay. Compensation shall be limited on an annual basis to the amount
specified for government plans pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(17),
as adjusted under Code Section 415(d).[1]
The Council of the Borough of Honesdale.
The date when a participant is determined by the Plan Administrator
to be incapacitated due to total and permanent disability, or the
date when the participant's employment terminates due to such total
and permanent disability, if later.
The date on which the participant has completed 20 years
of aggregate service with the employer.
The first day of the month coincident with or next following
the date on which a participant who has attained early retirement
age ceases employment and chooses to commence receipt of retirement
benefits prior to the normal retirement date.
Any individual employed by the employer on a regular, full-time
basis as a police officer of the employer's police force.
Borough of Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
For the purpose of determining "aggregate service:"
The period of time for which an employee is
directly or indirectly compensated or entitled to compensation by
the employer for the performance of duties as a police officer;
Any period of time for which an employee is
paid, either directly by the employer or through a program to which
the employer has made contributions on behalf of the employee, a fixed,
periodic amount in the nature of salary continuation payments for
reasons other than the performance of duties (such as vacation, holidays,
sickness, entitlement to benefits under workers' compensation or similar
laws);
Any period during which an employee is entitled
to disability benefits under this plan, provided that the employee
returns to employment within three months of the date on which it
is determined that the employee is no longer totally and permanently
disabled if such determination occurs prior to the date a participant
attains normal retirement age;
Any period of voluntary or involuntary military
service with the Armed Forces of the United States of America, provided
that the participant has been employed as a regular full-time member
of the employer's police force for a period of at least six months
immediately prior to the period of military service; and the participant
returns to employment within six months following discharge from military
service or within such longer period during which employment rights
are guaranteed by applicable law or under the terms of a collective
bargaining agreement with the employer;
Any period of voluntary or involuntary military
service with the armed forces of the United States not to exceed a
total of five years which occurred prior to the date on which a participant
first became employed as an employee of the employer, provided that
the participant shall purchase such credit in accordance with the
terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the employer and
that such participant is not entitled to receive or is receiving retirement
benefits for such military service under a retirement system administered
and wholly or partially paid for by any other governmental agency
except military retirement pay earned by a combination of active and
nonactive duty with a reserve or national guard component of the armed
forces which is payable upon the attainment of a specified age and
period of service under 10 U.S.C. Ch. 67. The purchase price for such
service shall be computed by multiplying the average normal cost rate
as certified by the Public Employee Retirement Commission and not
to exceed 10% times the participant's average annual rate of compensation
during the first three years of employment and multiplying the result
by the number of years and fractions thereof being purchased. Interest
shall be paid at a rate of 4.75% compounded annually from the first
date of employment to the date of payment.
Any period of qualified military service as
determined under the requirements of Chapter 43 of Title 38, United
States Code, provided that the participant returns to employment following
such period of qualified military service, and the participant makes
payment to the plan in an amount equal to the participant contributions
that would otherwise have been paid to the plan during such period
of qualified military service. The amount of participant contributions
shall be based upon an estimate of the compensation that would have
been paid to the participant during such period of qualified military
service as determined by the average compensation paid to the participant
during the 12 months immediately preceding the period of qualified
military service. The amount of participant contributions calculated
must be paid into the plan before the end of the period that begins
on the date of reemployment and ends on the earlier of the date that
ends the period that has a duration of three times the period of qualified
military service or the date that is five years after the date of
reemployment.
The compensation earned by the participant and paid by the
employer averaged over the final 36 months immediately preceding termination
of active employment.
Compensation shall exclude for this purpose
any single sum or extraordinary payments made which are not directly
attributable to active employment during the averaging period, including
but not limited to payment of a back-pay damage award and payment
of sick leave buyback.
Final monthly average salary shall be calculated
by taking into account only those periods during which an employee
receives salary, as that term is defined in this definition. Therefore,
for example, the final monthly average salary for a participant who
receives disability benefits from this plan or who is voluntarily
or involuntarily serving in the United States Armed Forces during
the final 36 months of aggregate service shall be based on the period
during which the employee last received salary (as defined in the
preceding subsection) from the employer.
Salary used to determine final monthly average
salary shall be limited on an annual basis to the amount specified
for government plans in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17), as
adjusted under Code Section 415(d).[2]
A legal reserve life insurance company authorized to do business
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The first day of the month coincident with or next following
the date on which the participant retires from employment on which
the payment of retirement benefits pursuant to this plan shall commence.
The minimum obligation of the municipality as determined
by the actuary pursuant to the provisions of the Act.
The date on which the participant has completed 25 years
of aggregate service with the employer and has attained age 50.
The first day of the month coincident with or next following
the date on which the participant attains normal retirement age.
A written document prepared in the form specified by the
Plan Administrator. If such notice or election is to be provided by
the employer or the Plan Administrator, it shall be mailed in a properly
addressed envelope, postage prepaid, to the last known address of
the person entitled thereto, on or before the last day of the specified
notice or election period. If such notice or election is to be provided
to the employer or the Plan Administrator, it must be received by
the intended recipient on or before the last day of the specified
notice or election period.
An employee who has met the eligibility requirements to participate in the plan as provided in § 36-6A and who has not for any reason ceased to be a participant hereunder.
The police pension fund administered under the terms of this
plan and which shall include all money, property, investments, policies
and contracts standing in the name of the plan.
The plan set forth herein, as amended from time to time and
designated as the Borough of Honesdale Police Pension Plan.
The committee or the individual appointed for the purpose
of supervising and administering the provisions of the plan. In the
event that no such appointment is made, the Plan Administrator shall
be the Board.
The twelve-month period beginning on January 1 and ending
on December 31 of each year.
The committee organized pursuant to § 36-12B and as appointed by the Borough Council.
A retirement annuity or retirement income endowment policy
(or a combination of both) or any other form of insurance contract
or policy which shall be deemed appropriate in accordance with the
provisions of applicable law.
January 1, 2015, the date upon which this amendment and restatement
of the plan becomes effective.
A condition of physical or mental impairment due to which a participant is unable to perform the usual and customary duties of employment and which is reasonably expected to continue to be permanent for the remainder of the participant's lifetime. For purposes of this definition and § 36-9, a condition shall not be treated as a total and permanent disability unless such condition is a direct result of or occurs in the line of duty of employment. Therefore, an employee whose physical or mental impairment does not occur in the line of duty or which is the result of alcoholism, addiction to narcotics, perpetration of a felonious criminal activity or is willfully self-inflicted is not entitled to receive disability benefits under the plan.
A.
Eligibility requirements. Each employee who is employed
as a regular, full-time permanent member of the police department
of the employer shall participate herein as of the date on which such
employee's employment first commences or recommences, provided all
prerequisites to participation under this plan shall have been fulfilled,
including, but not limited to, completion of all forms required by
the Plan Administrator. Each employee who was a participant in the
plan on the day prior to the restatement date shall continue to be
a participant on and after the restatement date subject to the terms
and conditions of the plan as set forth herein.
B.
Participation requirements. The Board shall furnish the Plan Administrator with written notification of the appointment of any new full-time permanent employee who is eligible for participation hereunder. Each participant hereunder shall be required to make contributions to the plan, as provided in § 36-7A hereof, and shall execute and complete any enrollment or application forms as required by the Plan Administrator.
C.
Designation of beneficiary. Any new, full-time employee
who becomes a participant hereunder shall provide a written notice
in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator which designates
a beneficiary at the time participation commences. The participant's
election of any such beneficiary may be rescinded or changed, without
the consent of the beneficiary, at any time, provided the participant
provides the written notice of the changed designation to the Plan
Administrator in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator.
Any designation of a beneficiary made in any manner other than one
acceptable to the Plan Administrator shall be null and void and have
no effect under the terms of this plan.
D.
Change in status. A participant who remains in the
service of the employer but ceases to be an employee eligible for
participation hereunder, or ceases or fails to make any contributions
which are required as a condition of participation hereunder, shall
have no further benefit accruals occur until the individual again
qualifies as a participant hereunder eligible to resume such accrual
of benefits.
E.
Recordkeeping. The employer shall furnish the Plan
Administrator with such information as will aid the Plan Administrator
in the administration of the plan. Such information shall include
all pertinent data on employees for purposes of determining their
eligibility to participate in this plan.
A.
Participant contributions. Each participant shall,
as a requirement of participation pay regular contributions to the
pension fund in an amount equal to 5% of the participant's compensation.
Each participant shall complete the necessary forms to authorize the
payment of participant contributions by way of payroll deduction.
B.
Reduction of participant contributions. Notwithstanding the preceding § 36-7A, if an actuarial study performed by the actuary shows that the condition of the pension fund is such that payments into the pension fund by participants may be reduced below the minimum percentage prescribed in Subsection A, or may be eliminated, and that if such payments are reduced or eliminated, contributions by the employer will not be required to keep the pension fund actuarially sound, the employer may, on an annual basis, by ordinance or resolution, reduce or eliminate payments into the pension fund by participants.
C.
Employer contributions. The actuary, in accordance
with the Act, shall determine the minimum municipal obligation of
the employer. The employer shall pay into the pension fund, by annual
appropriations or otherwise, the contributions necessary to satisfy
the minimum municipal obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
contained herein shall preclude the employer from contributing an
amount in excess of the minimum municipal obligation.
D.
State aid. General Municipal Pension System State
Aid, or any other amount of state aid received by the employer in
accordance with the Act from the commonwealth may be deposited into
the pension fund governed by this plan in amounts determined by the
Board, and shall be used to reduce the amount of the minimum municipal
obligation of the employer.
E.
Gifts. The Board is authorized to take by gift, grant,
devise or otherwise any money or property, real or personal, for the
benefit of the plan and cause the same to be held as a part of the
pension fund. The care, management, investment and disposal of such
amounts shall be vested in the Board or its delegate, the Plan Administrator,
subject to the direction of the donor and not inconsistent with applicable
laws and the terms of the plan.
F.
Employer reversion. At no time shall it be possible for the plan assets to be used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than for the exclusive benefit of the participants and their beneficiaries, including payment of any reasonable plan expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any contributions made by the employer may be returned to the employer if the contribution was made due to a mistake and the contribution is returned within one year of the date on which the discovery of the mistaken payment of the contribution was made or reasonably should have been made or the plan is terminated, as provided in § 36-14.
A.
Normal retirement. Each participant shall be entitled
to a normal retirement benefit after retirement on or after the participant
has attained normal retirement age.
B.
Normal retirement benefit. Each participant who shall become entitled to a benefit pursuant to § 36-8A shall receive a benefit paid monthly in an amount equal to 50% of the participant's final monthly average salary as determined herein.
C.
Late retirement. A participant may continue in employment beyond the attainment of normal retirement age subject to the employer's rules and regulations regarding retirement age. If a participant who has met the requirements of § 36-8A continues in employment beyond normal retirement age, there shall be no retirement benefits paid until employment ceases and the participant's retirement actually begins. The retirement benefit of a participant who continues employment after attainment of normal retirement age shall be calculated in accordance with § 36-8B on the basis of the final monthly average salary as of such participant's actual retirement and shall commence on the participant's late retirement date.
D.
Early retirement. A participant shall be entitled
to an early retirement benefit after retirement on or after attainment
of early retirement age.
E.
Early retirement benefit. Each participant who shall become entitled to a benefit pursuant to § 36-8D must make application, in writing, to the Borough Council to receive such a benefit. The early retirement benefit shall become effective as of the date the application is filed with Council or the date designated on the application, whichever is later. The benefit shall be in an amount equal to the actuarial equivalent of the participant's accrued benefit. The actuarial equivalent of the participant's accrued benefit shall be determined by actuarially reducing the accrued benefit to reflect that it will commence on the participant's early retirement date rather than on the date which would have been the participant's normal retirement date if the participant continued in employment to such date. The actuarial assumptions reported in the last actuarial valuation report filed with the Public Employee Retirement Commission under the Act shall be the actuarial assumptions used to calculate the actuarial equivalent of the participant's accrued benefit.
F.
Service increment benefit. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, each participant who shall retire after completing 26 or more years of aggregate service may be entitled to receive a monthly service increment benefit. Such service increment benefit shall only be available to a participant who shall retire on a retirement date after attainment of early or normal retirement age and whose aggregate service for purposes of this subsection shall only include periods of time when the participant actively renders service in employment and shall not include any period of time during which the participant was not in active employment. Such service increment shall be an amount equal to $100 for each completed year of aggregate service in excess of 25 years but shall not exceed $500 for up to five additional years of aggregate service. The service increment benefit shall be paid monthly in addition to the amount of early, normal, or late retirement benefit calculated pursuant to Subsection B, C, or E hereof.
G.
Payment of benefits. Retirement benefit payments shall
be payable as of the participant's retirement date and the first day
of each month thereafter during the participant's lifetime. A participant
must complete an application for benefit in the manner prescribed
by the Plan Administrator and deliver such application to the Plan
Administrator at least 30 days prior to the date on which benefit
payments shall commence. Notwithstanding anything contained herein
to the contrary, no retirement benefit payments nor any other payments
shall be due or payable on or before the date that is 30 days after
the date the Plan Administrator receives the application for benefits.
Payment of benefits hereunder shall cease as of the date of death
of the participant.
H.
Cost-of-living adjustments. Each participant who shall retire and receive a retirement benefit determined pursuant to § 36-8B, C, E, 36-9B or 36-11C hereunder shall be entitled to receive annual cost-of-living increases each January, to the amount of benefit payable to such participant. The first cost-of-living adjustment shall be prorated based on the number of full calendar months of retirement out of 12. Such cost-of-living increases shall not exceed the following limits:
(1)
The percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index
from the year in which the participant was last employed as an employee
of the employer;
(2)
The total retirement benefits payable under this plan
shall not exceed 75% of the participant's final monthly average salary;
(3)
The total cost-of-living increase shall not exceed
30% of the participant's retirement benefit under this plan; and
(4)
The cost-of-living increases shall not impair the
actuarial soundness of the pension fund.
I.
Maximum benefit limitations.
(1)
Notwithstanding any provision of this plan to the
contrary, no benefit provided under this plan attributable to contributions
of the employer shall exceed, as an annual amount, the amount specified
in Code Section 415(b)(1)(A) as adjusted pursuant to Code Section
415(d), assuming the form of benefit shall be a straight life annuity
(with no ancillary benefits). The limitations described in this subsection
shall be governed by the following conditions and definitions:
(a)
Benefits paid or payable in a form other than
a straight life annuity (with no ancillary benefits) or where the
employee contributes to the plan or makes rollover contributions shall
be adjusted on an actuarially equivalent basis in accordance with
applicable regulations to determine the limitation contained herein;
(b)
In the case of a benefit which commences prior to the attainment of age 62 by the participant, the limitation herein shall be adjusted on an actuarially equivalent basis in accordance with applicable regulations to the amount determined pursuant to this subsection commencing at age 62; however, in the case of a qualified participant (a participant with respect to whom a period of at least 15 years of service, including applicable military service, as a full-time employee of a police or fire department is taken into account in determining the amount of benefit), the limitation contained in this Subsection I(1)(b) shall not apply;
(c)
In the case of a benefit which commences after
attainment of age 65 by the participant, the limitation herein shall
be adjusted on an actuarially equivalent basis in accordance with
applicable regulations to the amount determined herein commencing
at age 65;
(d)
Benefits paid to a participant which total less
than $10,000 from all defined benefit plans maintained by the employer
expressed as an annual benefit shall be deemed not to exceed the limitation
of this subsection, provided that the employer has not at any time
maintained a defined contribution plan in which the participant has
participated;
(e)
In the case of a participant with fewer than
10 years of service or participation, the limitation expressed in
this subsection shall be reduced by 1/10 for each year of participation
less than 10 with respect to Code Section 415(b)(1)(A)[1] or each year of service less than 10 years in the case of the limitation in Subsection I(1)(d); but in no event shall this limitation be less than 1/10 of the applicable limit;
[1]
Editor's Note: See Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.
(f)
The limitations expressed herein shall be based
upon plan years for calculation purposes, shall be applied to all
defined benefit plans maintained by the employer as one defined benefit
plan and to all defined contribution plans maintained by the employer
as one defined contribution plan, and shall be applied and interpreted
consistent with Code Section 415 and regulations thereunder as applicable
to government plans in general and this plan in particular;
(g)
In the case of a survivor benefit under § 36-10B or C, or a disability retirement benefit under § 36-9B, the adjustment under Subsection I(1)(b) and (e) hereof shall not apply and the applicable limitation shall be the limitation contained herein without regard to the age or years of service or participation of the benefit recipient;
(h)
For mandatory employee contributions, the rules set forth in
Treasury Regulation 1.415(b)-1(b)(2)(iii) shall apply; and
(i)
Effective for distributions with annuity starting dates beginning
on or after December 31, 2008, notwithstanding any other plan provisions
to the contrary, the applicable mortality table used solely for purpose
of adjusting any benefit or limitation under 415(b)(2)(B), (C), or
(D) of the Internal Revenue Code as set forth in the applicable maximum
benefit limitations section of the plan is the applicable mortality
table under Code Section 417(e)(3)(B).
(2)
Notwithstanding anything contained in this subsection
to the contrary, the limitations, adjustments, and other requirements
prescribed in this section shall at all times comply with the provisions
of Code Section 415 and the regulations thereunder (as such apply
to governmental plans), the terms of which are specifically incorporated
herein by reference.
J.
Required distributions.
(1)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this plan,
the entire benefit of any participant who becomes entitled to benefits
prior to death shall be distributed either:
(a)
Not later than the required beginning date;
or
(b)
Over a period beginning not later than the required
beginning date and extending over the life of such participant or
over the lives of such participant and a designated beneficiary (or
over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of such participant,
or the joint life expectancies of such participant and a designated
beneficiary).
(2)
If a participant who is entitled to benefits under this plan dies prior to the date when the entire interest has been distributed after distribution of the benefits has begun in accordance with Subsection J(1)(b) above, the remaining portion of such benefit shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used under Subsection J(1)(b) as of the date of the death.
(3)
If a participant who is entitled to benefits under this plan dies before distribution of the benefit has begun, the entire interest of such employee shall be distributed within five years of the death of such employee, unless the following sentence is applicable. If any portion of the employee's interest is payable to (or for the benefit of) a designated beneficiary, such portion shall be distributed over the life of such designated beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of such beneficiary), and such distributions begin not later than one year after the date of the employee's death or such later date as provided by regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, then for purposes of the five-year rule set forth in the preceding sentence, the benefit payable to the beneficiary shall be treated as distributed on the date on which such distributions begin. Provided, however, that notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the participant, then the date on which distributions are required to begin shall not be earlier than the date upon which the employee would have attained age 70 1/2 and, further provided, if the surviving spouse dies before the distributions to such spouse begin, this Subsection J(3) shall be applied as if the surviving spouse were the employee.
(4)
For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions
and procedures shall apply:
(a)
"Required beginning date" shall mean April 1
of the calendar year following the later of the calendar year in which
the employee attains age 70 1/2 or the calendar year in which
the employee retires.
(b)
The phrase "designated beneficiary" shall mean
any individual designated by the employee under this plan according
to its rules.
(c)
Any amount paid to a child shall be treated
as if it had been paid to the surviving spouse if such amount will
become payable to the surviving spouse upon such child's reaching
majority (or other designated event permitted under regulations issued
by the Secretary of the Treasury).
(d)
For purposes of this subsection, the life expectancy
of an employee and/or the employee's spouse (other than in the case
of a life annuity) may be redetermined but not more frequently than
annually.
(5)
General rules. The requirements of this subsection will take precedence
over any inconsistent provisions of the plan. All distributions required
under this subsection will be determined and made in accordance with
Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations
thereunder, and the employer's good faith interpretation of such
code and regulations.
K.
Assignment. The pension benefit payments prescribed
herein shall not be subject to attachment, execution, levy, garnishment
or other legal process and shall be payable only to the participant
or designated beneficiary and shall not be subject to assignment or
transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the qualification of and
payment of benefits pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order
shall not violate the general rule against assignment or alienation
of benefits contained in this subsection. The Plan Administrator may,
in its sole discretion, qualify and pay benefits to an alternate payee
under a domestic relations order which meets the requirements of Code
Section 414(p).
L.
Direct rollovers.
(1)
Notwithstanding any provision of the plan to the contrary that would
otherwise limit a distributee's election under this section,
a distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed
by the Plan Administrator, to have any portion of an eligible rollover
distribution that is equal to at least $500 paid directly to an eligible
retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct rollover.
(a)
DIRECT ROLLOVER
DISTRIBUTEE
ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLAN
ELIGIBLE ROLLOVER DISTRIBUTION
For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall
apply:
A payment by the plan to the eligible retirement plan specified
by the distributee. Effective January 1, 2008, direct rollovers may
be made to a Roth IRA described in Section 408A of the Internal Revenue
Code to the extent that the applicable requirements of Code Section
408A are satisfied with respect to any direct rollover to such Roth
IRA.
Includes an employee or former employee. In addition, the
employee's or former employee's surviving spouse and the
employee's or former employee's spouse or former spouse
who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order,
as defined in Code Section 414(p), are distributees with regard to
the interest of the spouse or former spouse.
A qualified trust described in Code Section 401(a), an individual
retirement account described in Code Section 408(a), an individual
retirement annuity described in Code Section 408(b), an annuity plan
described in Code Section 403(a), an annuity contract described in
Code Section 403(b), an eligible plan under Section 457(b) of the
Code which is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state,
or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision
of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred
into such plan from this plan.
Any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to
the credit of the distributee, except that an eligible rollover distribution
does not include: any distribution that is one of a series of substantially
equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for
the life (or life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives
(or joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the distributee's
designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of 10 years of more;
any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under
Code Section 401(a)(9); and the portion of any distribution that is
not includible in gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion
for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities).
For purposes of the direct rollover provisions in this subsection
of the plan, a portion of a distribution shall not fail to be an eligible
rollover distribution merely because the portion consists of after-tax
employee contributions that are not includible in gross income. However,
such portion may be paid only to an individual retirement account
or annuity described in Section 408(a) or (b) of the Code, or to a
qualified defined contribution plan described in Section 401(a) or
403(a) of the Code [effective for distributions on or after January
1, 2007, any qualified trust or Code Section 403(b) plan] that agrees
to separately account for amounts so transferred, including separately
accounting for the portion of such distribution which is includible
in gross income and the portion of such distribution which is not
so includible.
(2)
This subsection applies to distributions made on or after January
1, 2010. Notwithstanding any provision of the plan to the contrary
that would otherwise limit a nonspouse beneficiary's election
under this subsection, a nonspouse beneficiary may elect to have a
portion of a plan distribution (that is payable to such nonspouse
beneficiary due to a participant's death) paid in a direct trustee-to-trustee
transfer to an individual retirement account described in Code Section
408(a) or to an individual retirement annuity described in Section
408(b) (other than an endowment contract) that has been established
for the purposes of receiving the distribution on behalf of such nonspouse
beneficiary. For these purposes, a "nonspouse beneficiary" is an individual
who is a designated beneficiary [as defined by Section 401(a)(9)(E)
of the Internal Revenue Code] of a participant and who is not surviving
spouse of such participant.
M.
Retired participants. Any participant who shall have retired prior to the restatement date shall not have the benefit altered in any way by the provisions of this amended and restated plan, except where otherwise expressly provided herein. Such retired participants shall continue to have their benefits governed by the terms of the plan in effect on the day preceding the restatement date. Any participant who shall have terminated employment and elected to receive a deferred retirement benefit under § 36-11C shall have such benefit determined based upon the provisions of the plan in effect as of the date of such termination of employment and shall not have the benefit altered by the provisions of this amended and restated plan.
N.
Limitation of liability. Nothing contained herein
shall obligate the employer, the Plan Administrator, any fiduciary
or any agent or representative of any of the foregoing, to provide
any retirement or other benefit to any participant or beneficiary
which cannot be provided from the assets available in the pension
fund, whether such benefits are in pay status or otherwise payable
under the terms of the plan. The Board retains the right to amend
or terminate this plan consistent with applicable law at any time,
with or without cause and whether or not such action directly or indirectly
results in the suspension, reduction or termination of any benefit
payable under the plan or in pay status, and without liability to
any person for any such action.
O.
Personal right of participant. The right to receive
any benefits under this plan is a personal right of the participant
and shall expire upon the death of the participant. No heir, legatee,
devisee, beneficiary, assignee or other person claiming by or through
a participant shall have any interest in any benefits hereunder unless
clearly and expressly so provided by the terms of this plan or the
provisions of applicable law. A participant's election, failure to
make an election or revocation of an election hereunder shall be final
and binding on all persons.
P.
Nonduplication of benefit. To avoid any duplication
of benefits, a participant who is receiving a retirement benefit under
the plan and who shall resume employment shall have benefit payments
suspended until the first day of the month coincident with or next
following the date such employment shall cease. Upon resumption of
benefit payments, such participant shall receive the greater of the
amount of the suspended benefit or the amount of benefit based upon
final monthly average salary and aggregate service as of the date
that such period of resumed employment shall cease.
A.
Disability retirement. A participant who shall incur
a total and permanent disability shall be entitled to a disability
retirement benefit as of the disability date.
B.
Disability retirement benefit. A participant who shall be entitled to a disability retirement benefit under § 36-9A shall receive a monthly benefit in an amount equal to 50% of the participant's salary (annualized base pay and longevity pay, determined as a monthly amount) at the time of disablement.
C.
Payment of disability benefits.
(1)
Disability payments shall be made monthly as of the
first day of each month, commencing as of the first day of the month
coincident with or immediately following the participant's disability
date and continuing until the earliest of the death of the participant
or cessation of total and permanent disability before normal retirement
age.
(2)
A participant who shall fail to return within three months to employment as an employee of the employer upon cessation of total and permanent disability prior to attainment of normal retirement age shall be deemed to have terminated employment as of the disability date, shall not be entitled to any distribution of accumulated contributions pursuant to § 36-11B to the extent that the total amount of disability payments exceeds the value of the participant's accumulated contributions as of the disability date, and shall not be entitled to any other benefits under the plan on account of any aggregate service as of the disability date.
D.
Verification of disability.
(1)
The Plan Administrator shall in its sole discretion
determine whether a participant shall have incurred a total and permanent
disability. The Plan Administrator shall rely on the report of a physician
acceptable to the Plan Administrator.
(2)
If the Plan Administrator shall determine that a participant
who is totally and permanently disabled has recovered sufficiently
to resume active employment as a police officer or if a participant
refuses to undergo a medical examination as directed by the Plan Administrator
(such a medical examination may not be required more frequently than
once in any given twelve-month period), the payment of disability
retirement benefits shall cease.
E.
Cessation of disability.
(1)
A participant who is receiving payment of disability
retirement benefits under this plan must notify the Plan Administrator
of any change which may cause a cessation of entitlement to receipt
of such benefits hereunder.
(2)
If a participant fails to provide immediate notice
to the Plan Administrator of any such change in status and continues
to receive payment of benefits hereunder to which the participant
is not entitled, then the plan may take whatever action is necessary
to recover any amount of improperly paid amounts, including legal
action or offsetting such amounts against any future payments of retirement
or other benefits under the plan, including the costs of such actions.
A.
Death of participant. Upon the occurrence of the death of a participant, there shall be benefits payable in accord with the following subsections of this § 36-10.
B.
Survivor benefit. If a participant shall die after commencement of retirement benefit payments under § 36-8, § 36-9 or § 36-11 hereunder or after the participant is eligible to retire under § 36-8A, C, D or § 36-11C and before retirement benefit payments commence, a survivor benefit shall be paid to the surviving spouse or dependent children pursuant to Subsection C in an amount equal to 50% of the amount of the retirement benefit the participant was receiving at the time of death or the amount the participant would have been eligible to receive if retirement or termination of employment occurred on the date of death.
C.
Payment of survivor benefits.
(1)
The survivor benefit commences as of the first day
of the month coincident with or immediately following the date of
death of the participant, except in the case where the participant's
death (not in the line of duty) occurs before commencement of benefit
payments and prior to the participant's normal retirement date. In
that case, commencement of survivor benefits shall be deferred to
the date that would have been the participant's normal retirement
date had employment continued until such date.
(2)
The survivor benefit shall be paid monthly to the
surviving spouse of the participant, if any, until the date of death
of the surviving spouse.
(3)
Upon the death of the surviving spouse or if there
is no surviving spouse, the survivor benefit shall be paid monthly
in equal shares to the surviving dependent children of the deceased
participant who have not attained 18 years of age or until attainment
of age 23 if attending an accredited college and carrying a minimum
of seven credits per semester. The shares payable to the surviving
dependent children shall be adjusted as each child ceases to be eligible
to receive a share of the benefit hereunder.
D.
Death of participant prior to retirement. If a participant shall die before payment of a benefit has commenced and without eligibility for payment of a survivor benefit under Subsection B, the beneficiary shall be eligible to receive a distribution in an amount equal to the accumulated contributions of the participant as of the date of death of the participant. If the participant has received disability retirement benefits hereunder, the amount of distribution of accumulated contributions shall be reduced by the amount of disability retirement benefits, which have been paid hereunder.
E.
Veterans' Survivor Benefits. Notwithstanding any other provision
of the plan to the contrary, in the case of the death of a participant
who dies on or after January 1, 2007, while performing qualified military
service [as defined in Code Section 414(u)], the survivors of the
participant are entitled to any additional benefits under the plan
(if any) had the participant resumed and then terminated employment
on account of death.
A.
Rights of terminated employees. A participant who
shall cease to be an employee except as otherwise hereinbefore provided
shall have all interest and rights under this plan limited to those
contained in the following subsections of this section.
B.
Distribution of accumulated contributions. A participant
whose employment with the employer shall terminate for any reason
other than death or total and permanent disability prior to attainment
of normal retirement age shall be entitled to receive a distribution
of accumulated contributions. Upon receipt of such accumulated contributions,
said participant and beneficiary shall not be entitled to any further
payments from the plan.
C.
Deferred retirement benefit. A participant who shall have completed at least 12 years of aggregate service and whose employment shall terminate for any reason other than due to death or total and permanent disability prior to attainment of normal retirement age shall be entitled to elect by filing a written notice of the intention to vest with the Plan Administrator within 90 days of the date employment ceases to receive a deferred retirement benefit in lieu of a distribution of accumulated contributions under Subsection B. Such a deferred retirement benefit shall be equal to the participant's accrued benefit as of the date employment terminates and shall commence after application pursuant to § 36-8F and not earlier than the date which would be the participant's normal retirement date under the plan if the participant remained in employment until such date.
D.
Forfeiture. Rights under this plan shall be subject to forfeiture
pursuant to the Act of July 8, 1978 (P.L. 752, No. 140), known as
the "Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act."
A.
Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall be
the Committee or the individual appointed by the Board who shall have
the power and authority to do all acts and to execute, acknowledge
and deliver all instruments necessary to implement and effectuate
the purpose of this plan. The Plan Administrator may delegate authority
to act on its behalf to any persons it deems appropriate. If a Plan
Administrator is not appointed, the Board shall be the Plan Administrator.
B.
Police Pension Committee. The Board may appoint a
Police Pension Committee to administer the affairs of the plan. The
Board shall delegate such authority as it shall deem appropriate to
the Committee. The Committee, if one is appointed, shall consist of
not more than five members. Each member of the Committee shall serve
in that capacity until death, resignation, removal or otherwise. Each
member may resign by delivering written notice to the Board and other
members of the Committee. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled
in the same manner as the position was originally filled by the Board;
provided, however, that the remaining members of the Committee shall
have full power to act pending the filling of such vacancies.
C.
Authority and duties of the Plan Administrator.
(1)
The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority
to do whatever shall, in its judgment, be reasonably necessary for
the proper administration and operation of the plan. The interpretation
or construction placed upon any term or provision of the plan by the
Plan Administrator or any action of the Plan Administrator taken in
good faith shall, upon the Board's review and approval thereof, be
final and conclusive upon all parties hereto, whether employees, participants
or other persons concerned. By way of specification and not limitation
and except as specifically limited hereafter, the Plan Administrator
is authorized:
(a)
To construe this plan;
(b)
To determine all questions affecting the eligibility
of any employee to participate herein;
(c)
To compute the amount and source of any benefit
payable hereunder to any participant or beneficiary;
(d)
To authorize any and all disbursements;
(e)
To prescribe any procedure to be followed by
any participant or other person in filing any application or election;
(f)
To prepare and distribute, in such manner as
may be required by law or as the Plan Administrator deems appropriate,
information explaining the plan;
(g)
To require from the employer or any participant
such information as shall be necessary for the proper administration
of the plan;
(h)
To appoint and retain any individual to assist
in the administration of the plan, including such legal, clerical,
accounting and actuarial services as may be required by any applicable
law or laws; and
(2)
The Plan Administrator shall have no power to add
to, subtract from or modify the terms of the plan or change or add
to any benefits provided by the plan, or to waive or fail to apply
any requirements of eligibility for benefits under the plan. Further,
the Plan Administrator shall have no power to adopt, amend, or terminate
the plan, to select or appoint any trustee or to determine or require
any contributions to the plan, said powers being exclusively reserved
to the Board.
D.
Police Pension Committee organization.
(1)
The Committee may organize itself in any manner deemed
appropriate to effectuate its purposes hereunder, provided that it
shall operate and act by a majority of its members at the time in
office either by vote at a meeting or in writing without a meeting.
(a)
The Committee shall appoint a Chairman, a Secretary
who may, but need not, be a Committee member, and such other agents
as it may deem advisable.
(b)
The Committee may authorize any one or more
of its members to execute any document or documents, including any
application, request, certificate, notice, consent, waiver or direction
and shall notify the Board, in writing, of each such member so authorized;
however, if no such member is so authorized, the Chairman shall be
deemed to be so authorized.
(c)
Any trustee or other fiduciary appointed hereunder
shall accept and be fully protected in relying upon any document executed
by the designated members (or the Chairman in the absence of a designation)
as representing a valid action by the Committee until the Committee
shall file with such fiduciary a written revocation of such designation.
(2)
The Committee shall meet at least one time in each
plan year, and it shall maintain and keep such records as are necessary
for the efficient operation of the plan or as may be required by any
applicable law, regulation or ruling and shall provide for the preparation
and filing of such forms, reports or documents as may be required
to be filed with any governmental agency or department and with the
participants or other persons entitled to benefits under the plan.
E.
Plan Administrator costs. The Plan Administrator shall
serve without compensation for services unless otherwise agreed by
the Board in writing. All reasonable expenses incident to the functioning
of the Plan Administrator, including but not limited to fees of accountants,
counsel, actuaries and other specialists, and other costs of administering
the plan, may be paid from the pension fund upon approval by the Board
to the extent permitted under applicable law and not otherwise paid
by the employer.
F.
Hold harmless. No member of the Board, the Plan Administrator,
nor any other person involved in the administration of the plan (other
than any person, bank, firm, or corporation which is independent of
the employer and which renders services to the plan for a fee) shall
be liable to any person on account of any act or failure to act which
is taken or omitted to be taken in good faith in performing their
respective duties under the terms of this plan. To the extent permitted
by law, the employer shall, and hereby does agree to, indemnify and
hold harmless the Plan Administrator and each successor and each of
any such individual's heirs, executors and administrators, and
the delegates and appointees (other than any person, bank, firm or
corporation which is independent of the employer and which renders
services to the plan for a fee) from any and all liability and expenses,
including counsel fees, reasonably incurred in any action, suit or
proceeding to which he is or may be made a party by reason of being
or having been a member, delegate or appointee of the Plan Administrator,
except in matters involving criminal liability, intentional or willful
misconduct. If the employer purchases insurance to cover claims of
a nature described above, then there shall be no right of indemnification
except to the extent of any deductible amount under the insurance
coverage or to the extent of the amount the claims exceed the insured
amount.
G.
Approval of benefits. The Plan Administrator shall
review and approve or deny any application for retirement benefits
within 30 days following receipt thereof or within such longer time
as may be necessary under the circumstances. Any denial of an application
for retirement benefits shall be in writing and shall specify the
reason for such denial.
H.
Appeal procedure. Any person whose application for
retirement benefits is denied, who questions the amount of benefit
paid, who believes a benefit should have commenced which did not so
commence or who has some other claim arising under the plan ("claimant"),
shall first seek a resolution of such claim under the procedure hereinafter
set forth.
(1)
Any claimant shall file a notice of the claim with
the Plan Administrator which shall fully describe the nature of the
claim. The Plan Administrator shall review the claim and make an initial
determination approving or denying the claim.
(2)
If the claim is denied in whole or in part, the Plan
Administrator shall, within 90 days (or such other period as may be
established by applicable law) from the time the application is received,
mail notice of such denial to the claimant. Such ninety-day period
may be extended by the Plan Administrator if special circumstances
so require for up to 90 additional days by the Plan Administrator's
delivering notice of such extension to the claimant within the first
ninety-day period. Any notice hereunder shall be written in a manner
calculated to be understood by the claimant and, if a notice of denial,
shall set forth the specific plan provisions on which the denial is
based, an explanation of additional material or information, if any,
necessary to perfect such claim and a statement of why such material
or information is necessary, and an explanation of the review procedure.
(3)
Upon receipt of notice denying the claim, the claimant
shall have the right to request a full and fair review by the Board
of the initial determination. Such request for review must be made
by notice to the Board within 60 days of receipt of such notice of
denial. During such review, the claimant or a duly authorized representative
shall have the right to review any pertinent documents and to submit
any issues or comments in writing. The Board shall, within 60 days
after receipt of the notice requesting such review (or in special
circumstances, such as where the Board in its sole discretion holds
a hearing, within 120 days of receipt of such notice), submit its
decision, in writing, to the person or persons whose claim has been
denied. The decision shall be final, conclusive and binding on all
parties, shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood
by the claimant and shall contain specific references to the pertinent
plan provisions on which the decision is based.
(4)
Any notice of a claim questioning the amount of a
benefit in pay status shall be filed within 90 days following the
date of the first payment which would be adjusted if the claim is
granted, unless the Plan Administrator allows a later filing for good
cause shown.
(5)
A claimant who does not submit a notice of a claim
or a notice requesting a review of a denial of a claim within the
time limitations specified above shall be deemed to have waived such
claim or right to review.
(6)
Nothing contained herein is intended to abridge any
right of a claimant to file and arbitrate a grievance under an applicable
collective bargaining agreement, if any.
I.
Application of forfeitures. Amounts forfeited by any participant
may not be used to increase the benefits which other participants
would otherwise receive under the plan; they shall be used only to
reduce the employer's contributions to the plan.
A.
Operation of the pension fund.
(1)
The Board is hereby authorized to hold and supervise
the investment of the assets of the pension fund, subject to the provisions
of the laws of the commonwealth and of this plan and any amendment
thereto.
(2)
The pension fund shall be used to pay benefits as
provided in the plan and, to the extent not paid directly by the employer,
to pay the expenses of administering the plan pursuant to authorization
by the employer.
(3)
The employer intends the plan to be permanent and
for the exclusive benefit of its employees. It expects to make the
contributions to the pension fund required under the plan. The employer
shall not be liable in any manner for any insufficiency in the pension
fund; benefits are payable only from the pension fund, and only to
the extent that there are monies available therein. The pension fund
will consist of all funds held by the employer under the plan, including
contributions made pursuant to the provisions hereof and the investments,
reinvestments and proceeds thereof. The pension fund shall be held,
managed, and administered pursuant to the terms of the plan. Except
as otherwise expressly provided in the plan, the employer has exclusive
authority and discretion to manage and control the pension fund assets.
The employer may, however, appoint a trustee, custodian or investment
manager, at its sole discretion.
B.
Powers and duties of employer. With respect to the
pension fund, the employer shall have the following powers, rights
and duties, in addition to those vested in it elsewhere in the plan
or by law, unless such duties are delegated.
(1)
To retain in cash so much of the pension fund as it
deems advisable and to deposit any cash so retained in any bank or
similar financial institution (including any such institution which
may be appointed to serve as trustee hereunder), without liability
for interest thereon.
(2)
To invest and reinvest the principal and income of
the fund and keep said fund invested, without distinction between
principal and income, in securities which are at the time legal investments
for fiduciaries in accordance with Chapter 73 of the Pennsylvania
Probates Estates and Fiduciaries Investment Code, or as the same may
be subsequently modified or amended.
(3)
To sell property held in the fund at either public
or private sale for cash or on credit at such times as it may deem
appropriate; to exchange such property; to grant options for the purchase
or exchange thereof.
(4)
To consent to and participate in any plan of reorganization,
consolidation, merger, extension or other similar plan affecting property
held in the fund; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase,
sale or other action by any corporation pursuant to any such plan.
(5)
To exercise all conversion and subscription rights
pertaining to property held in the fund.
(6)
To exercise all voting rights with respect to property
held in the fund and in connection therewith to grant proxies, discretionary
or otherwise.
(7)
To place money at any time in a deposit bank deemed
to be appropriate for the purposes of this plan no matter where situated,
including in those cases where a bank has been appointed to serve
as trustee hereunder, the savings department of its own commercial
bank.
(8)
In addition to the foregoing powers, the employer
shall also have all of the powers, rights, and privileges conferred
upon trustees in accordance with Chapter 73 of the Pennsylvania Probates
Estates and Fiduciaries Investment Code, or as the same may be subsequently
modified or amended, and the power to do all acts, take all proceedings
and execute all rights and privileges, although not specifically mentioned
herein, as the employer may deem necessary to administer the pension
fund.
(9)
To maintain and invest the assets of this plan on
a collective and commingled basis with the assets of other pension
plans maintained by the employer, provided that the assets of each
respective plan shall be accounted for and administered separately.
(10)
To invest the assets of the pension fund in
any collective commingled trust fund maintained by a bank or trust
company, including any bank or trust company which may act as a trustee
hereunder. In this connection, the commingling of the assets of this
plan with assets of other eligible, participating plans through such
a medium is hereby specifically authorized. Any assets of the plan
which may be so added to such collective trusts shall be subject to
all of the provisions of the applicable declaration of trust, as amended
from time to time, which declaration, if required by its terms or
by applicable law, is hereby adopted as part of the plan, to the extent
of the participation in such collective or commingled trust fund by
the plan.
(11)
To make any payment or distribution required
or advisable to carry out the provisions of the plan, provided that
if a trustee is appointed by the employer, such trustee shall make
such distribution only at the direction of the employer.
(12)
To compromise, contest, arbitrate, enforce or
abandon claims and demands with respect to the plan.
(13)
To retain any funds or property subject to any
dispute without liability for the payment of interest thereon and
to decline to make payment or delivery thereof until final adjudication
is made by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(14)
To pay, and to deduct from and charge against
the pension fund, any taxes which may be imposed thereon, whether
with respect to the income, property or transfer thereof, or upon
or with respect to the interest of any person therein, which the fund
is required to pay; to contest, in its discretion, the validity or
amount of any tax, assessment, claim or demand which may be levied
or made against or in respect of the pension fund, the income, property
or transfer thereof, or in any matter or thing connected therewith.
(15)
To appoint any persons or firms (including,
but not limited to, accountants, investment advisors, counsel, actuaries,
physicians, appraisers, consultants, professional plan administrators
and other specialists), or otherwise act to secure specialized advice
or assistance, as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with
the management of the Fund; to the extent not prohibited by applicable
law, the employer shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon and
shall be fully protected in any action or omission taken by it in
good faith reliance upon the advice or opinion of such persons or
firms, provided such persons or firms were prudently chosen by the
employer, taking into account the interests of the participants and
beneficiaries and with due regard to the ability of the persons or
firms to perform their assigned functions.
(16)
To retain the services of one or more persons
or firms for the management of (including the power to acquire and
dispose of) all or any part of the fund assets, provided that each
of such persons or firms is registered as an investment advisor under
the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, is a bank (as defined in that
Act), or is an insurance company qualified to manage, acquire or dispose
of pension trust assets under the laws of more than one state; in
such event, the employer shall follow the directions of such investment
manager or managers with respect to the acquisition and disposition
of fund assets, but shall not be liable for the acts or omissions
of such investment manager or managers, nor shall it be under any
obligation to review or otherwise manage any fund assets which are
subject to the management of such investment manager or managers.
If the employer appoints a trustee, the trustee shall not be permitted
to retain such an investment manager except with the express written
consent of the employer.
C.
Common investments. The employer shall not be required
to make separate investments for individual participants or to maintain
separate investments for each participant's account but may invest
contributions and any profits or gains therefrom in common investments.
D.
Compensation and expenses of appointed trustee. If
a trustee is appointed, the trustee shall be entitled to such reasonable
compensation as shall from time to time be agreed upon by the employer
and the trustee, unless such compensation is prohibited by law. Such
compensation, and all expenses reasonably incurred by the trustee
in carrying out its functions, shall constitute a charge upon the
employer or the pension fund, which may be executed at any time after
30 days' written notice to the employer. The employer shall be under
no obligation to pay such costs and expenses, and, in the event of
its failure to do so, the trustee shall be entitled to pay the same,
or to be reimbursed for the payment thereof, from the pension fund.
E.
Periodic accounting. If a trustee is appointed, the
pension fund shall be evaluated annually, or at more frequent intervals,
by the trustee, and a written accounting rendered as of each fiscal
year end of the fund, and as of the effective date of any removal
or resignation of the trustee, and such additional dates as requested
by the employer, showing the condition of the fund and all receipts,
disbursements and other transactions effected by the trustee during
the period covered by the accounting, based on fair market values
prevailing as of such date.
F.
Value of the pension fund. All determinations as to
the value of the assets of the pension fund, and as to the amount
of the liabilities thereof, shall be made by the employer or its appointed
trustee, whose decisions shall be final and conclusive and binding
on all parties hereto, the participants and beneficiaries and their
estates. In making any such determination, the employer or trustee
shall be entitled to seek and rely upon the opinion of or any information
furnished by brokers, appraisers and other experts, and shall also
be entitled to rely upon reports as to sales and quotations, both
on security exchanges and otherwise, as contained in newspapers and
in financial publications.
A.
Amendment of the plan. The employer may amend this
plan at any time or from time to time by an instrument in writing
executed in the name of the employer under its municipal seal by officers
duly authorized to execute such instrument and delivered to the Board;
provided, however:
(1)
That no amendment shall deprive any participant or
any beneficiary of a deceased participant of any of the benefits to
which each is entitled under this plan with respect to contributions
previously made;
B.
Termination of the plan. The employer shall have the
power to terminate this plan in its entirety at any time by an instrument
in writing executed in the name of the employer.
C.
Automatic termination of contributions. Subject to
the provisions of the Act governing financially distressed municipalities,
the liability of the employer to make contributions to the pension
fund shall automatically terminate upon liquidation or dissolution
of the employer, upon its adjudication as a bankrupt or upon the making
of a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors.
D.
Distribution upon termination.
(1)
In the event of the termination of the plan, all amounts
of vested benefits accrued by the affected participants as of the
date of such termination, to the extent funded on such date, shall
be nonforfeitable hereunder. In the event of termination of the plan,
the employer shall direct either that the Plan Administrator continue
to hold the vested accrued benefits of participants in the pension
fund in accordance with the provisions of the plan (other than those
provisions related to forfeitures) without regard to such termination
until all funds have been distributed in accordance with the provisions
or that the Plan Administrator immediately distribute to each participant
an amount equal to the vested accrued benefit to the date.
(2)
If there are insufficient assets in the pension fund
to provide for all vested accrued benefits as of the date of plan
termination, priority shall first be given to the distribution of
any amounts attributable to mandatory or voluntary employee contributions
before assets are applied to the distribution of any vested benefits
attributable to other sources hereunder.
(3)
All other assets attributable to the terminated plan
shall be distributed and disposed of in accordance with the provisions
of applicable law and the terms of any instrument adopted by the employer
which effects such termination.
E.
Residual assets. If all liabilities to vested participants
and any others entitled to receive a benefit under the terms of the
plan have been satisfied and there remain any residual assets in the
pension fund, such residual assets remaining shall be returned to
the employer insofar as such return does not contravene any provision
of law, and any remaining balance, in excess of employer contributions,
shall be returned to the commonwealth.
F.
Exclusive benefit rule. In the event of the discontinuance
and termination of the plan as provided herein, the employer shall
dispose of the pension fund in accordance with the terms of the plan
and applicable law; at no time prior to the satisfaction of all liabilities
under the plan shall any part of the corpus or income of the pension
fund, after deducting any administrative or other expenses properly
chargeable to the pension fund, be used for or diverted to purposes
other than for the exclusive benefit of the participants in the plan,
their Beneficiaries or their estates.
A.
Actuarial valuations.
(1)
The plan's actuary shall perform an actuarial valuation
at least biennially.
(2)
Such biennial actuarial valuation report shall be
made as of the beginning of each plan year occurring in an odd-numbered
calendar year, beginning with the year 1985.
(3)
Such actuarial valuation shall be prepared and certified
by an approved actuary, as such term is defined in the Act.
(4)
The expenses attributable to the preparation of any
actuarial valuation report or investigation required by the Act, or
any other expense which is permissible under the terms of the Act
and which are directly associated with administering the plan, shall
be an allowable administrative expense payable from the assets of
the pension fund. Such allowable expenses shall include but not be
limited to the following:
(a)
Investment costs associated with obtaining authorized
investments and investment management fees;
(b)
Accounting expenses;
(c)
Premiums for insurance coverage on fund assets;
(d)
Reasonable and necessary counsel fees incurred
for advice or to defend the fund; and
(e)
Legitimate travel and education expenses for
plan officials; provided, however, that the municipal officials of
the employer, in their fiduciary role, shall monitor the services
provided to the plan to ensure that the expenses are necessary and
reasonable and benefit the plan; and further provided that the Plan
Administrator shall document all such expenses item by item and, where
necessary, hour by hour.
B.
Duties of Chief Administrative Officer. Such actuarial
reports shall be prepared and filed under the supervision of the Chief
Administrative Officer.
(1)
The Chief Administrative Officer of the plan shall
determine the financial requirements of the plan on the basis of the
most recent actuarial report and shall determine the minimum municipal
obligation of the employer with respect to funding the plan for any
given plan year.
(2)
The Chief Administrative Officer shall submit the
financial requirements of the plan and the minimum municipal obligation
of the employer to the Board annually and shall certify the accuracy
of such calculations and their conformance with the Act.
C.
Benefit plan modifications. Prior to the adoption
of any benefit plan modification by the employer, the Chief Administrative
Officer of the plan shall provide to the Board a cost estimate of
the proposed benefit plan modification. Such estimate shall be prepared
by an approved actuary, which estimate shall disclose to the Board
the impact of the proposed benefit plan modification on the future
financial requirements of the plan and the future minimum municipal
obligation of the employer with respect to the plan.
A.
Employment rights. No employee of the employer nor
anyone else shall have any rights whatsoever against the employer
or the Plan Administrator as a result of this plan except those expressly
granted hereunder. Participation in this plan shall not give any right
to any employee to be retained in the employ of the employer, nor
shall it interfere with the right of the employer to discharge any
employee and to deal with such employee without regard to the effect
such treatment might have upon participation in this plan.
B.
Meaning of certain words. For purposes of this plan,
the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and the singular
shall include the plural, and vice versa, in all cases wherever the
person or context shall plainly so require. Headings of sections and
subsections are inserted only for convenience of reference and are
not to be considered in the construction of the plan.
C.
Information to be furnished by the employer. The employer
shall furnish to the Plan Administrator (and where applicable, the
trustee) information in the employer's possession as the Plan Administrator
and the trustee shall require from time to time to perform their duties
under the plan.
D.
Severability of provisions. Should any provisions
of this plan be held illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality
or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of this plan, and
the plan shall be construed and enforced as if said illegal and invalid
provisions had never been inserted herein.
E.
Incapacity of participant. If any participant shall
be physically or mentally incapable of receiving or acknowledging
receipt of any payment of pension benefits hereunder, the Plan Administrator,
upon the receipt of satisfactory evidence that such participant is
so incapacitated and that another person or institution is maintaining
the participant and that no guardian or committee has been appointed
for the participant, may provide for such payment of pension benefits
hereunder to such person or institution so maintaining the participant,
and any such payments so made shall be deemed for every purpose to
have been made to such participant.
F.
Pension fund for sole benefit of participants. The
income and principal of the pension fund are for the sole use and
benefit of the participants covered hereunder and, to the extent permitted
by law, shall be free, clear and discharged from and are not to be
in any way liable for debts, contracts or agreements now contracted
or which may hereafter be contracted and from all claims and liabilities
now or hereafter incurred by any participant or beneficiary.
G.
Benefits for a deceased participant. If any benefit
shall be payable under the plan to or on behalf of a participant who
has died, if the plan provides that the payment of such benefits shall
be made to the participant's estate, and if no administration of such
participant's estate is pending in the court of proper jurisdiction,
then the Plan Administrator, at its sole option, may pay such benefits
to the surviving spouse of such deceased participant or, if there
is no surviving spouse, to such participant's then living issue, per
stirpes; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent
the Plan Administrator from insisting upon the commencement of estate
administration proceedings and the delivery of any such benefits to
a duly appointed executor or administrator.
H.
Assets of the fund. Nothing contained herein shall
be deemed to give any participant or beneficiary any interest in any
specific property of the pension fund or any right except to receive
such distributions as are expressly provided for under the plan.
I.
Personal liability. Subject to the provisions of the
Act and unless otherwise specifically required by other applicable
laws, no past, present or future officer or agent of the employer
or Plan Administrator shall be personally liable to any participant,
beneficiary or other person under any provision of the plan.
J.
Construction of document. This plan may be executed
and/or conformed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed an original and shall be construed and enforced according
to the laws of the commonwealth, excepting such commonwealth's choice
of law rules.