Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Pension Public Safety_Tab 13.12a _05/04/2015Village of Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Summary Plan Description May RLM Is 10 12 Introduction As a Member in the Village of Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund, you are included in a program of benefits to help you meet your financial needs in retirement, or in the event of disability or death. The purpose of this booklet is to give you a brief description of benefits available to you under your pension plan. Planning for retirement begins now. This booklet can be a valuable tool in preparing for your retirement and financial future. If you need any further information on any of the topics presented in this booklet, please contact the Pension Coordinator, Lori McWilliams or the Board of Trustees. They will answer any questions to help you better understand your benefits. The information presented is a summary of the pension plan as provided in the Village of Tequesta Code which governs your Pension Fund. The legal citation for your Plan is Ordinance 18-12, Exhibit B, as subsequently amended by Ordinance 9-14 (June 12, 2014), Ordinance 25-14 (December 11, 2014), and Ordinance 1-15 (February 12.2015). Village of Teguesta Code. -10, Exhibit B (jantlary - . Any discrepancies between information in this booklet and the Plan will be governed by the Plan. A copy of the Plan can be obtained from the Plan Administrator, whose address is: Village of Teguesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund % Resource Centers, LLC 4360 Northlake Boulevard, Suite 206 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 Telephone: (561) 624-3277 Fax Number: (561) 624-3278 ixie es rce a es.c Kerry(a-)ResourceCenters.com Village of Tequesta Post Offiee Box 3273 Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 Telephone (561)575-620& FAX Nurnber (561)575-6203 Board of Trustees Village of Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Ed Sabin Chairman Ray Giblin, Secretary Robert _•-_ John Terzakis David ___- TABLE OF CONTENTS DEFINITIONS......................................................... 1 PARTICIPATION IN THE PENSION FUND .................................. ELIGIBILITY FOR NORMAL RETIREMENT ................................. AMOUNT OF A NORMAL RETIREMENT PENSION ........................... Sample Calculation ............................................... 4 EARLY RETIREMENT PENSION . ........................................ FORMS OF PAYMENT OF A PENSION .................................... NormalForm .................................................... 5 Optional Forms of Payment ......................................... SURVIVOR BENEFITS - DEATH BEFORE RETIREMENT ...................... 7 Duty Related Deaths .............................................. 7 Deaths......................................................... 7 DISABILITY RETIREMENT .............................................. Duty Disability Retirement .......................................... 3 Non -Duty Disability Retirement ...................................... 3 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS ................................... 9 DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN (DROP) ........................... 9 ENDING EMPLOYMENT BEFORE RETIREMENT ............................ 9 FILING FOR RETIREMENT ............................................. 10 TRUSTEE TO TRUSTEE TRANSFER ..................................... 10 COST OF THE PENSION FUND ......................................... 10 FORFEITURE OF PENSION ............................................ 11 CLAIMS PROCEDURES ............................................... 11 ADMINISTRATION OF THE PENSION FUND ............................... 1 INVESTMENTS...................................................... 1 ACTUARIAL SOUNDNESS ............................................. 1 AGENT FOR SERVICE OF LEGAL PROCESS .............................. 13 PLAN YEAR ......................................................... 13 ACTUARIAL DATA .................................................... 14 DEFINITIONS Accumulated Contributions - a Member's own contributions without interest. Average Final Compensation - one -twelfth of the average salary paid during the best five years of the last ten years of employment. Beneficiary - an individual, such as a spouse, child or dependent parent, who is receiving a survivor benefit from the Pension Fund following the death of a Member. Board - the Board of Trustees which administers, manages and operates the Pension Fund. Credited Service - A Member's years and fractional parts of years of service as a Firefighter or Police Officer in the Village of Tequesta, which may include military time purchased in this plan. Members may also be entitled to credited service for military service which interrupts employment. Member - a Village of Tequesta Firefighter or a Village of Tequesta Police Officer who was hired before October 1. 2010 participating in the Pension Fund. Police Officers hired after October 1, 2010 are not participants in the Salary - for Firefighters and Police Officers hired before October 1, 2010, salary means the total cash remuneration paid to a Firefighter or Police Officer for services rendered including Base Pay, Bonuses, Holiday Pay, Sick Leave and Vacation Leave. and Overtime. Additionally, salary includes amounts paid by the Village as differential wages while the member is absent from employment while in qualified military service. For Firefighters hired on or after October 1, 2010, salary means the fixed monthly remuneration paid to a Firefighter for services rendered (including regular earnings, vacation pay, and sick pay) excluding lump sum payments, overtime, bonuses, incentives, and longevity. Effective October 1, 2013, Firefighter overtime is limited to 300 hours per Firefighter per year, and no unused accumulated sick and vacation time earned after October 1, 2013 is included except that the balance as of September 30, 2013 can be included if at least that much time is cashed in at retirement. Effective October 1, 2014, Police Officer overtime is limited to 300 hours per Police Officer per year, and no unused accumulated sick and vacation time earned after October 1, 2014 is included except that the balance as of September 30, 2014 can be included if at least that much time is cashed in at retirement. Village of Tequesta May 2015 May 2012 Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 2 of 17 PARTICIPATION IN THE PENSION FUND Each Firefighter or Police Officer employed in the Village of Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Department is a Pension Fund Member. A Firefighter or Police Officer is an employee who works full time for the Village. ELIGIBILITY FOR NORMAL RETIREMENT A Member who is age 55 with 6 or more years of credited service or age 52 with 25 or more years of credited service is eligible for normal retirement. An application for normal retirement must be filed with the Fund Administrator and approved by the Board of Trustees. AMOUNT OF A NORMAL RETIREMENT PENSION The amount of a normal retirement pension is based on a Member's credited service, average final compensation and pension multiplier. Average final compensation is one -twelfth of the average salary paid during the best five years of the last ten years of employment. Prior to October 11,201%, Salary is total cash remuneration for services rendered as a Firefighter or Police Officer including Base Pay, Bonuses, Holiday Pay, Sick Leave and Vacation Leave, and Overtime. Credited service is generally a Member's period of employment as a Firefighter or Police Officer with the Village of Tequesta, measured in years and completed months of a year. The pension multiplier is: 3.0% for the first 6 years of service 3.5% for the next 4 years of service 4.0% for the next 5 years of service 3.0% for the next 6 years of service 2.0% for the next 4 years of service 3.0% for all years after 25 years Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 3 of 17 For Firefighters hired on or after October 1, 2010, Salary is the fixed monthly remuneration paid to a firefighter excluding lump sum payments, overtime, bonuses, incentives, and longevity. The pension multiplier is. 2.0% for the first 6 years of service 2.5% for all years after 6 years Sample Calculation The following example illustrates how average final compensation is calculated for Members hired before October 1, 2010. This example is for planning purposes only and does not indicate the actual benefit for any Member. Year Before Sample Salary Retirement for Year 5th 21,000 4th 21,000 3rd 22,000 2nd 23,000 1st 24.000 5 -Year Total Salary $111,000 Add together the best five years, of the last ten years salary, and divide by 5 to determine average final compensation: $111,000 divided by 5 = $22,200 average yearly salary Divide the average yearly salary by twelve for the final average compensation: $22, 000 divided by 12 = $1,850 The following is an illustration of a normal retirement pension calculation. This is an example for planning purposes only and does not indicate the actual benefit for any Member. (1) Age at retirement 52 years (2) Total credited service 25.0 yrs. (3) Average final compensation $1,850 (4) (a) 3.0% for 6 years 18% Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 4 of 17 (b) 3.5% for 4 years 14% (c) 4.0% for 5 years 20% (d) 3.0% for 6 years 18% (e) 2.0% for 4 years 8% (5) Total (4)(a) through (4)(e) 78% (6) Line (5) times line (3) 78% x 1,850 $1,443.00 EARLY RETIREMENT PENSION A Firefighter or Police Officer who is age 50 and has 6 years of service is eligible for early retirement. The early retirement benefits that are payable to a Firefighter or Police Officer are determined in the same manner as the normal retirement benefit payable at the normal retirement date or payable immediately, but reduced by 3% for each year that early retirement precedes normal retirement. FORMS OF PAYMENT OF A PENSION Normal Form The standard form of payment for the pension described above is a benefit payable for life with 10 years certain, in other words, you are guaranteed 120 monthly payments. A Member may designate a beneficiary to receive the benefit payable, if any, upon the death of the retired Member. A retired member may also change the designated joint annuitant or survivor up to two times after retirement with certain restrictions. Please see the Administrator for details. This change may affect the amount of the benefit. When there is no beneficiary named, the benefit will be paid to the spouse, dependent children, or dependent living parents of the Firefighter or Police Officer, or if there is no such survivor, then to the deceased Firefighter or Police Officer's estate. Pension payments will continue to the retired Member's beneficiary until a total of 120 payments have been made. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION UP TO DATE Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 5 of 17 Optional Forms of Payment Optional forms of payment are available in lieu of the normal form described above. The amount of pension under each optional form has the same actuarial value as the normal form of payment (lifetime payments with 120 payments guaranteed). • Option I - Joint and 100% Survivor - The joint and 100% survivor form of payment pays the retired Member a reduced monthly pension during the joint lifetime of the Member and a dependent joint pensioner. Upon the death of either of them, 100% of the reduced monthly pension is paid to the survivor for life. • Option II - Joint and 76% Survivor - The joint and 76% survivor form of payment pays the retired Member a reduced monthly pension during the joint lifetime of the Member and a dependent joint pensioner. Upon the death of either of them, 76% of the reduced monthly pension is paid to the survivor for life. • Option III - Joint and 66-2/3% Survivor - The joint and 66-2/3% survivor form of payment pays the retired Member a reduced monthly pension during the joint lifetime of the Member and a dependent joint pensioner. Upon the death of either of them, 66-2/3% of the reduced monthly pension is paid to the survivor for life. • Option IV - Joint and 50% Survivor - The joint and 50% survivor form of payment pays the retired Member a reduced monthly pension during the joint lifetime of the Member and a dependent joint pensioner. Upon the death of either of them, 50% of the reduced monthly pension is paid to the survivor for life. • Option V - Life Annuity - The straight life form of payment pays the retired Member an increased monthly pension for life. The amount of this benefit is more than the normal form and other optional forms. No monthly pension is ever paid a spouse, child, dependent parent or other beneficiary under this form of payment. • Option VI - Other - In lieu of the other optional forms, benefits may be paid in any form approved by the Board so long as it is the actuarial equivalent of the benefits otherwise payable. The Fund Administrator can give you an estimate of the amount of your pension under any of the optional forms of payment. A request for an optional form of Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 6 of 17 payment must be submitted in writing to the Board before the effective date of retirement. An optional form of payment cannot be changed after the first pension check is cashed. The election of Options I, II, III and IV shall be null and void if the designated beneficiary dies before the member's payments commence and the member will be paid in accordance with the normal form of benefit. A retired Member may change his or her designation of joint annuitant or survivor up to two times. If changed, the retiree's monthly benefit shall be adjusted by the application of actuarial tables and calculations developed to ensure that the benefit paid is the actuarial equivalent of the present value of the retiree's current benefit and there is no impact to the plan. The joint pensioner shall be assumed deceased in determining the actuarial equivalent of the revised monthly benefit and no retiree's current benefit will be increase as a result of the change of joint annuitant. The retiree shall be responsible for the cost of recalculation of the benefit by the actuary. SURVIVOR BENEFITS - DEATH BEFORE RETIREMENT Duty Related Deaths The surviving spouse, or in certain circumstances surviving dependent children, of a participant who dies while employed in the Fire or Police Departments as a Firefighter or Police Officer will be paid a duty death pension if the Board finds the death to be the result of causes arising out of and in the course of the participant's performance of duty as a police officer or firefighter. A surviving spouse is paid a monthly pension, for life, of 50% of the participant's Average Final Compensation. The death benefit is paid to the estate if the participant leaves neither a surviving spouse nor an eligible surviving child. In any of these cases, the Board may, in its sole discretion, direct that the actuarial value of the monthly payment be paid as a lump sum. Non -Duty Related Deaths If a participant who has 6 or more years of credited service dies while employed in the Fire or Police Department as a Firefighter or Police Officer and the death is not in the line of duty, the beneficiary is paid a pension equal to the benefits otherwise payable at early or normal retirement age. Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 7 of 17 If no pension is paid or will become payable on account of the death of a participant, the participant's accumulated contributions are paid to the parti- cipant's designated beneficiary or to the participant's estate if there is no designated beneficiary. DISABILITY RETIREMENT A pension may be payable to a Member who becomes disabled while employed with the Village as a Firefighter or Police Officer hired before October 1, 2010. Eligibility and the amount of the pension are dependent on whether or not the disability occurred in the line of duty. The disability must arise from a mental or physical illness, disease or injury which totally and permanently prevents the Member from performing useful and efficient service as a Firefighter or Police Officer in the Village of Tequesta. No Firefighter or Police Officer shall be permitted to retire under a disability retirement until examined by a duly qualified physician or surgeon to be selected by the Board of Trustees and the physician or surgeon finds the Member to be disabled from performing the functions of a Firefighter or Police Officer. The final determination of disability is made by the Board. If disability results from excessive and habitual use of drugs, intoxicants or narcotics, willful and illegal participation in fights, riots or civil insurrection, while committing a crime, injury or disease sustained while serving in the armed forces, then no disability pension can be awarded. This exclusion does not affect members who have become disabled as a result of intervening military service under the federal Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (H.R. 6081; P.L. 110-245). A Member who is retired for disability may be required to undergo periodic medical examination under the direction of the Board of Trustees to determine if the retired Member is capable of performing the duties of a Firefighter or Police Officer in the Village. Duty Disability Retirement If the Board finds the disability to have arisen out of and in the course of the Member's performance of duty as a Village of Tequesta Firefighter or Police Officer, the amount of pension is equal to the greater of: 42% of the Member's average monthly compensation or the accrued pension benefit. Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 8 of 17 Non -Duty Disability Retirement If the disability is not the result of performing duty as a Village of Tequesta Firefighter or Police Officer, then the amount of pension is calculated the same as a normal retirement pension based on average final compensation and credited service at the time of disability. The minimum pension is 25% of average final compensation. MONTHLY SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS Each Member or Beneficiary receiving pension benefits is entitled to a monthly supplemental pension benefit. The monthly supplemental benefit is equal to $20 per year of service to a maximum of $600.00 per month. The benefit will cease upon the later of the death of the retired Member or Beneficiary. DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN (DROP) A participant may elect DROP participation upon eligibility for normal retirement. Eligibility to enter the DROP ends if not exercised before the 27th year of employment. DROP participation ends at the first to occur of: 1) termination of employment, 2) 30 years of credited service, or 3) 5 years of participation. Upon the effective date of DROP participation a participant's pension amount is calculated based on credited service and final average salary at that time and the amount remains permanently frozen. The participant's DROP account is credited with monthly amounts equal to the frozen pension during the period of DROP participation. DROP accounts are credited with investment earnings and losses each September 30 during the DROP period. Members accounts receive the rate of return on the pension fund. Participant DROP accounts are subject to administrative charges. A participant may elect payment of the DROP account at any time following termination of employment but not later than age 70 '/2. Payment is available under several options. Detailed information is available from the administrator. ENDING EMPLOYMENT BEFORE RETIREMENT Village of Tequesta May 2015 Afay 2012 Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 9 of 17 If a participant with less than 6 years of credited service, quits or is fired from employment as a Village of Tequesta Firefighter or Police Officer, future rights to a pension are forfeited. Participant contributions are refundable, however. A Member may voluntarily leave their contributions in the pension fund pending re-employment by the Village for a period up to five years. If a participant has at least 6 years of credited service when employment as a Firefighter or Police Officer terminates, the right to a deferred normal retirement is retained, so long as accumulated contributions are left on deposit in the Pension Fund. The amount of deferred normal retirement pension is calculated using average final compensation and credited service at the time of termination of employment as a Firefighter or Police Officer. The amount of pension may be subject to early retirement reduction of 3% per year if applicable. Retirement and payment of a pension is available upon application on or after age 50. FILING FOR RETIREMENT In order to ensure that you receive your pension on time, you should file your application with the Fund Administrator at least 30 days before retirement. All forms can be obtained from the Fund Administrator at the address on the Introduction page. Penalties will be imposed for making a false or misleading statement to obtain a pension benefit. It can take up to 120 days after your date of retirement to receive your first pension check. TRUSTEE TO TRUSTEE TRANSFER To minimize the tax consequences of rolling assets over to an IRA or another qualified plan, direct trustee -to -trustee transfers are available. Please see the administrator for the appropriate forms. COST OF THE PENSION FUND Members are required to contribute 5.00% of covered salary. Contributions are deducted from each paycheck and credited to the Member's Pension Fund account. Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 10 of 17 The Village of Tequesta also contributes to the Pension Fund. The amount of Village contribution is mathematically determined in accordance with State statutes to finance Pension Fund benefits as they are earned. FORFEITURE OF PENSION Any Member who is convicted of any of the below offenses committed prior to retirement shall forfeit all rights and benefits under this Fund, except for a refund of accumulated contributions. The specified offenses are: (1) Committing, aiding or abetting of an embezzlement of public funds; (2) Committing, aiding or abetting of any theft by a public officer or employee from employer; (3) Bribery in connection with the employment of a public officer or employee; (4) Any felony specified in Chapter 838, Florida Statutes; (5) The committing of impeachable offense (6) The committing of any felony by a public officer or employee who, willfully and with intent to defraud the public or the public agency for which the public officer or employee acts or in which he or she is employed of the right to receive the faithful performance of his or her duty as a public officer or employee, realizes or obtains, or attempts to realize or obtain, a profit, gain, or advantage for himself or herself or for some other person through the use or attempted use of the power, rights, privileges, duties, or position of his or her public office or employment position. (7) The committing on or after October 1, 2008, of any felony defined in §800.04, Florida Statutes, against a victim younger than 16 years of age, or any felony defined in Chapter 794, Florida Statutes against a victim younger than 18 years of age, by a public officer or employee through the use or attempted use of power, rights, privileges, duties, or position of his or her public office or employment position. Any Member who has received benefits from the Plan in excess of his accumulated contributions shall be required to repay the Fund. The Board may implement legal action necessary to recover such funds. Additionally, a Member who makes a false or misleading statement to obtain retirement benefits shall commit a misdemeanor of the first degree and if convicted, the Member shall forfeit his/her benefit. CLAIMS PROCEDURES Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 11 of 17 Any member, former member, or beneficiary who has been denied a benefit by a decision of the Board shall be entitled to request in writing that the Board give further consideration to the claim. The Board shall review the case and issue an order within 60 days after receipt of the written request. Within 90 days after receipt of the order of the Board, the Member may request in writing, a hearing. The Board shall then conduct a hearing within the next 90 days. The claimant may be represented at the hearing by an attorney or other representative of his/her choosing. During the hearing the claimant shall have the opportunity to submit written and oral evidence and arguments in support of his/her claim. The claimant shall also have the opportunity to review the Board's file at or prior to the hearing. Either the claimant of the Board may request that a court reporter record the proceedings. In this event a complete written transcript of the proceedings shall be furnished to both parties at the expense of the party requesting the attendance of the court reporter. A final written decision shall be made by the Board within 30 days of such hearing. The written decision shall include the reasons for such decision, and such decision shall be final. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PENSION FUND The Pension Fund is administered by a Board of Trustees which is responsible for overseeing the investment of Pension Fund assets and application of the provisions of the Village Code. The Board has authority over distribution of all pensions and makes final decisions on claims and appeals. Five trustees comprise the Board: two legal residents of the Village appointed by the Village Commission, two full-time Public Safety Officers' elected by Pension Fund Members and a trustee chosen by the majority of the other four trustees. Pension Fund assets are maintained and invested entirely separate from Village assets and cannot be used for any purpose other than those specified in the Village Code. INVESTMENTS The assets of the Plan are presently invested by Investment Managers hired by the Board of Trustees and mutual fund investments, both are managed in accordance with Advisors, and EuroPaeffie Growth tinder investment guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees in consultation with their investment advisors. The current Village of Tequesta May Afay Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 12 of 17 Investment Manaaers are: - Gabelli/GAMCO Value - Brown Advisory (BAFGX) - EuroPacific Growth (RERGX) - Templeton Global Total Return (FTTRX) - PIMCO Total Return Instl (PTTRX) ACTUARIAL SOUNDNESS The actuary for the Plan has determined that the Plan is actuarially sound and can adequately fund the benefits based upon projected contributions to the Plan and investment earnings. AGENT FOR SERVICE OF LEGAL PROCESS Board of Trustees % Bonni S. Jensen Klausner. Kaufman. Jensen & Levinson 400 Executive Center Drive, Suite 207 West Palm Beach, Florida 33401-2922 PLAN YEAR The plan year is the twelve month period beginning each October 1. Records are kept on a fiscal year basis. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS Firefighters covered by the Plan are Members of the Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928, IAFF. The current collective bargaining agreement between the Employer and the Union expires on September 30, 2013. Article 6 refers to pension matters. Police Officers covered by the Plan are Members of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association. The current collective bargaining agreement between the Employer and the Union expires on September 30, 2016. Article 33 refers to pension matters. Village of Tequesta May 2015 May 2012 Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 13 of 17 Village of Tequesta May 2015 May 2012 Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 14 of 17 ACTUARIAL DATA Village of Tequesta May 2015 May 2012 Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 15 of 17 Village of Tequesta May 2015 May 2012 Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 16 of 17 Village of Tequesta May 2015 May 2012 Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Page 17 of 17