130th Ohio General Assembly
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H. B. No. 10  As Introduced
As Introduced

126th General Assembly
Regular Session
2005-2006
H. B. No. 10


Representatives Schneider, Seitz, Setzer 



A BILL
To amend sections 145.384, 145.46, 742.3711, 3307.60, 3309.46, and 5505.162 of the Revised Code regarding an election by a retirant of one of the state's public retirement systems who has married or remarried to change the plan under which a retirement benefit is paid.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 145.384, 145.46, 742.3711, 3307.60, 3309.46, and 5505.162 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 145.384. (A) As used in this section, "PERS retirant" means a PERS retirant who is not subject to division (C) of section 145.38 of the Revised Code. For purposes of this section, "PERS retirant" also includes both of the following:
(1) A member who retired under section 145.383 of the Revised Code;
(2) A retirant whose retirement allowance resumed under section 145.385 of the Revised Code.
(B) An other system retirant or PERS retirant who has made contributions under section 145.38 or 145.383 of the Revised Code or, in the case of a retirant described in division (A)(2) of this section, section 145.47 of the Revised Code may file an application with the public employees retirement system for a benefit under this section. The benefit shall consist of an annuity having a reserve equal to the amount of the retirant's accumulated contributions for the period of employment, other than the contributions excluded pursuant to division (B)(4)(a) or (b) of section 145.38 of the Revised Code, and an equal amount of the employer's contributions. The PERS retirant or other system retirant shall elect either to receive the benefit as a monthly annuity or a lump sum payment discounted to the present value using the current actuarial assumption rate of interest, except that if the monthly annuity would be less than twenty-five dollars per month, the retirant shall receive a lump sum payment. A retirant who elects to receive a monthly annuity shall select one of the following as the plan of payment:
(1) The retirant's single life annuity;
(2) The actuarial equivalent of the retirant's single life annuity in a lesser amount for life and continuing after death to a surviving beneficiary designated at the time the plan of payment is selected.
(C)(1) The death of a spouse or other designated beneficiary following selection of a plan of payment under division (B)(2) of this section cancels that plan of payment. The PERS retirant or other system retirant shall receive the equivalent of the retirant's single life annuity, as determined by the public employees retirement board, effective the first day of the month following receipt by the board of notice of the death.
(2) On divorce, annulment, or marriage dissolution, a PERS retirant or other system retirant receiving a benefit under division (B)(2) of this section under which the beneficiary is the spouse may, with the written consent of the spouse or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over the termination of the marriage, elect to cancel the plan and receive the equivalent of the member's single life annuity as determined by the retirement board. The election shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall be effective the month following its receipt by the board.
(D) Following a marriage or remarriage, a PERS retirant or other system retirant who is receiving a benefit under division (B)(1) of this section may elect a new plan of payment under this section based on the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's single life annuity as determined by the board. The If the marriage or remarriage occurs on or after the effective date of this amendment, the election must be made not later than one year after the date of the marriage or remarriage.
The plan elected under this division shall be effective the first day of the month following on the date of receipt by the board of an application on a form approved by the board, but any change in the amount of the benefit shall commence on the first day of the month following the effective date of the plan.
(E) A benefit payable under this section shall commence on the latest of the following:
(1) The last day for which compensation for all employment subject to section 145.38, 145.383, or 145.385 of the Revised Code was paid;
(2) Attainment by the PERS retirant or other system retirant of age sixty-five;
(3) If the PERS retirant or other system retirant was previously employed under section 145.38, 145.383, or 145.385 of the Revised Code and is receiving or previously received a benefit under this section, completion of a period of twelve months since the effective date of the last benefit under this section.
(F)(1) If a PERS retirant or other system retirant dies while employed in employment subject to section 145.38, 145.383, or 145.385 of the Revised Code, a lump sum payment calculated in accordance with division (B) of this section shall be paid to the retirant's beneficiary under division (G) of this section.
(2) If at the time of death a PERS retirant or other system retirant receiving a monthly annuity has received less than the retirant would have received as a lump sum payment, the difference between the amount received and the amount that would have been received as a lump sum payment shall be paid to the retirant's beneficiary under division (G) of this section.
(G) A PERS retirant or other system retirant employed under section 145.38, 145.383, or 145.385 of the Revised Code may designate one or more persons as beneficiary to receive any benefits payable under this section due to death. The designation shall be in writing duly executed on a form provided by the public employees retirement board, signed by the PERS retirant or other system retirant, and filed with the board prior to death. The last designation of a beneficiary revokes all previous designations. The PERS retirant's or other system retirant's marriage, divorce, marriage dissolution, legal separation, withdrawal of account, birth of a child, or adoption of a child revokes all previous designations. If there is no designated beneficiary, the beneficiary is the beneficiary determined under division (D) of section 145.43 of the Revised Code. If any benefit payable under this section due to the death of a PERS retirant or other system retirant is not claimed by a beneficiary within five years after the death, the amount payable shall be transferred to the income fund and thereafter paid to the beneficiary or the estate of the PERS retirant or other system retirant on application to the board.
(H) No amount received under this section shall be included in determining an additional benefit under section 145.323 of the Revised Code or any other post-retirement benefit increase.
Sec. 145.46.  (A) A retirement allowance calculated under section 145.33, 145.331, or 145.34 of the Revised Code shall be paid as provided in this section. If the member is eligible to elect a plan of payment under this section, the election shall be made on a form provided by the public employees retirement board. A plan of payment elected under this section shall be effective only if approved by the board, which shall approve it only if it is certified by an actuary engaged by the board to be the actuarial equivalent of the retirement allowance calculated under section 145.33, 145.331, or 145.34 of the Revised Code.
(B)(1) Unless the member is eligible to elect another plan of payment, a member who retires under section 145.32, 145.331, or 145.34 of the Revised Code shall receive a retirement allowance under "plan A," which shall consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance determined under section 145.33, 145.331, or 145.34 of the Revised Code in a lesser amount payable for life and one-half of such allowance continuing after death to the member's surviving spouse for the life of the spouse.
A member may elect to receive the member's retirement allowance under a plan of payment other than "plan A" if the member is not married or either the member's spouse consents in writing to the member's election of a plan of payment other than "plan A" or the board waives the requirement that the spouse consent. An application for retirement shall include an explanation of all of the following:
(a) That, if the member is married, unless the spouse consents to another plan of payment, the member's retirement allowance will be paid under "plan A," which consists of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance in a lesser amount payable for life and one-half of the allowance continuing after death to the surviving spouse for the life of the spouse;
(b) A description of the alternative plans of payment, including all plans described in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section, available with the consent of the spouse;
(c) That the spouse may consent to another plan of payment and the procedure for giving consent;
(d) That consent is irrevocable once notice of consent is filed with the board.
Consent shall be valid only if it is signed, in writing, and witnessed by a notary public. The board may waive the requirement of consent if the spouse is incapacitated or cannot be located or for any other reason specified by the board. Consent or waiver is effective only with regard to the spouse who is the subject of the consent or waiver.
(2) A member eligible to elect to receive the member's retirement allowance under a plan of payment other than "plan A" shall receive the member's retirement allowance under the plan described in division (B)(3) of this section or one of the following plans:
(a) "Plan B," which shall consist of an allowance determined under section 145.33, 145.331, or 145.34 of the Revised Code;
(b) "Plan C," which shall consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance determined under section 145.33, 145.331, or 145.34 of the Revised Code in a lesser amount payable for life and one-half or some other portion of the allowance continuing after death to the member's sole surviving beneficiary designated at the time of the member's retirement, provided that the amount payable to the beneficiary does not exceed the amount payable to the member;
(c) "Plan D," which shall consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance determined under section 145.33, 145.331, or 145.34 of the Revised Code in a lesser amount payable for life and continuing after death to a surviving beneficiary designated at the time of the member's retirement;
(d) "Plan E," which shall consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance determined under section 145.33, 145.331, or 145.34 of the Revised Code in a lesser amount payable for a certain period from the member's retirement date as elected by the member and approved by the retirement board, and on the member's death before the expiration of that certain period the member's lesser retirement allowance payable for the remainder of that period to the member's surviving designated beneficiary nominated by written designation filed with the retirement board.
Should the nominated beneficiary designated in writing die prior to the expiration of the guarantee period, then for the purpose of completing payment for the remainder of the guarantee period, the present value of such payments shall be paid to the estate of the beneficiary last receiving.
(3)(a) Beginning on a date selected by the retirement board, which shall be not later than July 1, 2004, a member may elect to receive a retirement allowance under a plan of payment consisting of both a lump sum in an amount the member designates that constitutes a portion of the member's retirement allowance under a plan described in division (B) of this section and the remainder as a monthly allowance under that plan.
The total amount paid as a lump sum and a monthly benefit shall be the actuarial equivalent of the amount that would have been paid had the lump sum not been selected.
(b) The lump sum designated by a member shall be not less than six times and not more than thirty-six times the monthly amount that would be payable to the member under the plan of payment elected under division (B)(3)(a) of this section had the lump sum not been elected and shall not result in a monthly allowance that is less than fifty per cent of that monthly amount.
(4) An election under division (B)(2) or (3) of this section shall be made at the time the member makes application for retirement.
(5) A member eligible to elect to receive the member's retirement allowance under a plan of payment other than "plan A" because the member is unmarried who fails to make an election on retirement shall receive the member's retirement allowance under "plan B."
(C) If the retirement allowances, as a single life annuity or payment plan as provided in this section, due and paid are in a total amount less than (1) the accumulated contributions, and (2) other deposits made by the member as provided by this chapter, standing to the credit of the member at the time of retirement, then the difference between the total amount of the allowances paid and the accumulated contributions and other deposits shall be paid to the beneficiary provided under division (D) of section 145.43 of the Revised Code.
(D)(1) The death of a spouse or any designated beneficiary following retirement shall cancel any plan of payment to provide continuing lifetime benefits to the spouse or beneficiary and return the retirant to the retirant's single lifetime benefit equivalent, as determined by the board, to be effective the month following receipt by the board of notice of the death.
(2) On divorce, annulment, or marriage dissolution, a retirant receiving a retirement allowance under a plan that provides for continuation of all or part of the allowance after death for the lifetime of the retirant's surviving spouse may, with the written consent of the spouse or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over the termination of the marriage, elect to cancel the plan and receive the member's single lifetime benefit equivalent as determined by the retirement board. The election shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall be effective the month following its receipt by the board.
(E) Following a marriage or remarriage, a retirant who is receiving the retirant's retirement allowance under "plan B" may elect a new plan of payment under division (B)(1), (2)(b), or (2)(c) of this section based on the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's single lifetime benefit as determined by the board. The If the marriage or remarriage occurs on or after the effective date of this amendment, the election must be made not later than one year after the date of the marriage or remarriage.
The plan elected under this division shall become effective the first day of the month following on the date of receipt by the board of an application on a form approved by the board, but any change in the amount of the retirement allowance shall commence on the first day of the month following the effective date of the plan.
(F) Any person who, prior to July 24, 1990, selected an optional plan of payment at retirement that provided for a return to the single life benefit after the designated beneficiary's death shall have the retirant's benefit adjusted to the optional plan equivalent without such provision.
(G) A retirant's receipt of the first month's retirement allowance constitutes the retirant's final acceptance of the plan of payment and may be changed only as provided in this chapter.
Sec. 742.3711.  (A) On application for retirement as provided in section 742.37 of the Revised Code, a member of the fund may elect to receive a retirement allowance payable throughout the member's life, or may elect, on the application for retirement, to receive the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance in a lesser amount payable for life and continuing after death to a surviving designated beneficiary under one of the following optional plans, provided the amount payable to the beneficiary shall not exceed the amount payable to the retiring member of the fund, and is certified by the actuary engaged by the board of trustees of the Ohio police and fire pension fund to be the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance and is approved by the board.
(1) Option 1. The member's lesser retirement allowance shall be paid for life to the sole beneficiary designated at the time of the member's retirement.
(2) Option 2. One-half or some other portion of the member's lesser retirement allowance shall be paid for life to the sole beneficiary designated at the time of the member's retirement.
(3) Option 3. Upon the member's death before the expiration of a certain period from the retirement date and elected by the member and approved by the retirement board, the member's lesser retirement allowance shall be continued for the remainder of that period to the beneficiary the member has nominated by written designation and filed with the retirement board.
Should the nominated beneficiary designated in writing become deceased prior to the expiration of the guarantee period, then for the purpose of completing payment for the remainder of the guarantee period, the present value of such payments shall be paid to the estate of the beneficiary last receiving.
(B)(1) The death of a spouse nominated as beneficiary or the death of any other nominated beneficiary following a member's retirement or election under section 742.44 of the Revised Code to participate in the deferred retirement option plan shall cancel any optional plan of payment to provide continuing lifetime benefits to such nominated beneficiary and return the member of the fund to the member's single lifetime benefit equivalent, as determined by the board, to be effective the month following receipt by the board of notice of the death.
(2) On divorce, annulment, or marriage dissolution, a member receiving a retirement allowance under a plan that provides for continuation of all or part of the allowance after death for the lifetime of the member's surviving spouse may, with the written consent of the spouse or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over the termination of the marriage, elect to cancel the plan and receive the member's single lifetime benefit equivalent as determined by the board. The election shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall be effective the month following its receipt by the board.
(C) Following marriage or remarriage, a member of the fund receiving a pension retirement allowance under section 742.37 or 742.39 of the Revised Code may elect not later than one year after the date of marriage or remarriage a new optional plan of payment based on the actuarial equivalent of the member's single lifetime benefit as determined by the board. The
The plan elected under this division and the member's lesser retirement allowance shall become effective on the date the election is made of receipt by the board of an application on a form approved by the board.
(D)(1) Unless one of the following occurs, an application for retirement by a married person shall be considered an election of a benefit under option 2 as provided for in division (A)(2) of this section under which one-half of the lesser retirement allowance payable during the life of the retirant will be paid after death to the retirant's spouse for life as sole beneficiary:
(a) The retirant selects an optional plan under division (A) of this section providing for payment after death to the retirant's spouse for life as sole beneficiary of more than one-half of the lesser retirement allowance payable during the life of the retirant;
(b) The retirant submits to the retirement board a written statement signed by the spouse attesting that the spouse consents to the retirant's election to receive a single lifetime retirement allowance or a payment under an optional benefit plan under which after the death of the retirant the surviving spouse will receive less than one-half of the lesser retirement allowance payable during the life of the retirant.
(2) An application for retirement shall include an explanation of all of the following:
(a) That, if the member is married, unless the spouse consents to another plan of payment, the member's retirement allowance will be paid under "option 2" and consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance in a lesser amount payable for life and one-half of the lesser allowance continuing after death to the surviving spouse for the life of the spouse;
(b) A description of the alternative plans of payment available with the consent of the spouse;
(c) That the spouse may consent to another plan of payment and the procedure for giving consent;
(d) That consent is irrevocable once notice of consent is filed with the board.
Consent shall be valid only if it is signed, in writing, and witnessed by an employee of the board or a notary public.
(3) If the retirant does not select an optional plan as described in division (D)(1)(a) of this section and the board does not receive the written statement provided for in division (D)(1)(b) of this section, it shall determine and pay the retirement allowance in accordance with division (A)(2) of this section, except that the board may provide by rule for waiver by the board of the statement and payment of the allowance other than in accordance with division (A)(2) of this section if the retirant is unable to obtain the statement due to absence or incapacity of the spouse or other cause specified by the board.
(E) A member of the fund who has elected an optional plan under this section or section 742.3715 of the Revised Code may, with the consent of the designated beneficiary, cancel the optional plan and receive the retirement allowance payable throughout life the member would have received had the member not elected the optional plan, if the member makes a request to cancel the optional plan not later than one year after the later of September 9, 1988, or the date on which the member first receives a payment under this section or section 742.3715 of the Revised Code. Cancellation of the optional plan shall be effective the month after acceptance of the request by the trustees of the fund. No payment or adjustment shall be made in the retirement allowance payable throughout the member's life to compensate for the lesser allowance the member received under the optional plan.
The request to cancel the optional plan shall be made on a form provided by the fund and shall be valid only if the completed form includes a signed statement of the designated beneficiary's understanding of and consent to the cancellation. The signature shall be verified by the trustees of the fund prior to their acceptance of the cancellation.
(F) Any option elected and payments made under this section shall be in addition to any benefit payable under divisions (D), (E), and (F) of section 742.37 of the Revised Code.
(G) A person is eligible to receive a benefit increase under this division if the person is receiving a retirement allowance or benefit under an optional plan elected under this section or section 742.3715 of the Revised Code based on an award made prior to July 24, 1986. A person is not eligible to receive an increase under this division if the person is receiving a pension or benefit in accordance with rules in force on April 1, 1947, that govern the granting of pensions and benefits and that provide an increase in the original pension or benefit from time to time pursuant to changes in the salaries of active members.
The board shall annually increase all benefits payable under this section or section 742.3715 of the Revised Code to eligible persons by the actuarial equivalent of three hundred sixty dollars, except that no benefit shall exceed the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended.
The first increase is payable to all eligible persons on July 1, 1988. The increase is payable for the ensuing twelve-month period or until the next increase is granted under this section, whichever is later.
The date of the first increase payable under this section shall be the anniversary date for future increases.
Sec. 3307.60.  (A) Upon application for retirement as provided in section 3307.58 or 3307.59 of the Revised Code, the retirant may elect a plan of payment under this division or, on and after the date specified in division (B) of this section, a plan of payment under that division. Under this division, the retirant may elect to receive a single lifetime benefit, or may elect to receive the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's benefit in a lesser amount, payable for life, and continuing after death to a beneficiary under one of the following optional plans:
(1) Option 1. The retirant's lesser benefit shall be paid for life to the sole beneficiary named at retirement.
(2) Option 2. Some other portion of the retirant's benefit shall be paid for life to the sole beneficiary named at retirement. The beneficiary's monthly amount shall not exceed the monthly amount payable to the retirant during the retirant's lifetime.
(3) Option 3. The retirant's lesser benefit established as provided under option 1 or option 2 shall be paid for life to the sole beneficiary named at retirement, except that in the event of the death of the sole beneficiary or termination of a marital relationship between the retirant and the sole beneficiary the retirant may elect to return to a single lifetime benefit equivalent as determined by the state teachers retirement board, if, in the case of termination of a marital relationship, the election is made with the written consent of the beneficiary or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over termination of the marital relationship.
(4) Option 4. Upon the retirant's death before the expiration of a certain period from the retirement date and elected by the retirant, and approved by the board, the retirant's benefit shall be continued for the remainder of such period to the beneficiary. Monthly benefits shall not be paid to joint beneficiaries, but they may receive the present value of any remaining payments in a lump sum settlement. If all beneficiaries die before the expiration of the certain period, the present value of all payments yet remaining in such period shall be paid to the estate of the beneficiary last receiving.
(5) Option 5. A plan of payment established by the state teachers retirement board combining any of the features of options 1, 2, and 4.
(B) Beginning on a date selected by the state teachers retirement board, which shall be not later than July 1, 2004, a retirant may elect, in lieu of a plan of payment under division (A) of this section, a plan consisting of both of the following:
(1) A lump sum in an amount the member designates that constitutes a portion of the member's single lifetime benefit;
(2) Either of the following:
(a) The remainder of the retirant's single lifetime benefit;
(b) The actuarial equivalent of the remainder of the retirant's benefit in a lesser amount, payable for life, and continuing after death to a beneficiary under one of the options described in divisions (A)(1) to (5) of this section.
In the event of the death of the sole beneficiary or termination of a marital relationship between the retirant and the sole beneficiary, the retirant may elect to receive the actuarial equivalent of the remainder of the retirant's single lifetime benefit except that, in the case of termination of a marital relationship, the election may be made only with the written consent of the beneficiary or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over termination of the marital relationship.
The amount designated by the member under division (B)(1) of this section shall be not less than six times and not more than thirty-six times the monthly amount that would be payable to the member as a single lifetime benefit and shall not result in a monthly allowance that is less than fifty per cent of that amount.
(C) Until the first payment is made to a former member under section 3307.58 or 3307.59 of the Revised Code, the former member may change the selection of a plan of payment.
(D)(1) If a deceased member was eligible for but had not yet been awarded a service retirement benefit under section 3307.58 or 3307.59 of the Revised Code at the time of death, option 1 as provided for in division (A)(1) of this section shall be paid to the spouse or other sole dependent beneficiary.
(2) Beginning on a date selected by the board, which shall be not later than July 1, 2004, the spouse or sole beneficiary may elect, in lieu of option 1, a plan of payment consisting of both of the following:
(a) A lump sum in an amount the spouse or other sole dependent beneficiary designates that constitutes a portion of the retirant's single life annuity;
(b) The actuarial equivalent of the remainder of the retirant's single life annuity paid in a lesser amount for life to the spouse or other sole dependent beneficiary.
The amount designated by the spouse or other sole dependent beneficiary under division (D)(2)(a) of this section shall be not less than six times and not more than thirty-six times the monthly amount that would be payable as the retirant's single life annuity and shall not result in a monthly allowance that is less than fifty per cent of that monthly amount.
(E) If the total benefit paid under this section is less than the balance in the teachers' savings fund, the difference shall be paid to the beneficiary provided under division (D) of section 3307.562 of the Revised Code.
(F) In the case of a retirant who elected an optional plan prior to September 15, 1989:
(1) The death of the spouse or other designated beneficiary following retirement shall, at the election of the retirant, cancel any optional plan selected at retirement to provide continuing lifetime benefits to the spouse or other beneficiary and return the retirant to a single lifetime benefit equivalent as determined by the board.
(2) A divorce, annulment, or marriage dissolution shall, at the election of the retirant, cancel any optional plan selected at retirement to provide continuing lifetime benefits to the spouse as designated beneficiary and return the retirant to a single lifetime benefit equivalent as determined by the board if the election is made with the written consent of the beneficiary or pursuant to an order of a court of common pleas or the court of another state with jurisdiction over the termination of the marriage.
(G) Following marriage or remarriage, a retirant may elect a new optional plan of payment based on the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's single lifetime benefit, as determined by the board, except that if the retirant is receiving a retirement allowance under an optional plan that provides for continuation of benefits after death to a former spouse, the retirant may elect a new optional plan of payment only with the written consent of the former spouse or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over the termination of the marriage. Such
If the marriage or remarriage occurs on or after the effective date of this amendment, the election must be made not later than one year after the date of the marriage or remarriage.
The plan elected under this division shall become effective on the first date of the month following receipt by the board of an application on a form approved by the board, but any change in the amount of the benefit shall commence on the first day of the month following the effective date of the plan.
(H)(1) Unless one of the following occurs, an application for service retirement made pursuant to section 3307.58 or 3307.59 of the Revised Code by a married person shall be considered an election of a benefit under option 2 as provided for in division (A)(2) of this section under which one-half of the lesser benefit payable during the life of the retirant will be paid after death to the retirant's spouse for life as sole beneficiary:
(a) The retirant selects an optional plan under division (A) of this section providing for payment after death to the retirant's spouse for life as sole beneficiary of more than one-half of the lesser benefit payable during the life of the retirant.
(b) The retirant submits to the retirement board a written statement signed by the spouse attesting that the spouse consents to the retirant's election to receive a single lifetime annuity or a payment under an optional benefit plan under which after the death of the retirant the surviving spouse will receive less than one-half of the lesser benefit payable during the life of the retirant.
(2) An application for retirement shall include an explanation of all of the following:
(a) That, if the member is married, unless the spouse consents to another plan of payment, the member's retirement allowance will be paid under "option 2" as provided for in division (A)(2) of this section and consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance in a lesser amount payable for life and one-half of the lesser allowance continuing after death to the surviving spouse for the life of the spouse;
(b) A description of the alternative plans of payment available with the consent of the spouse;
(c) That the spouse may consent to another plan of payment and the procedure for giving consent;
(d) That consent is irrevocable once notice of consent is filed with the board.
Consent shall be valid only if it is signed, in writing, and witnessed by a notary public.
(3) If the retirant does not select an optional plan of payment as described in division (H)(1)(a) of this section and the board does not receive the written statement provided for in division (H)(1)(b) of this section, it shall determine and pay the retirement allowance in accordance with this division, except that the board may provide by rule for waiver by the board of the statement and payment of the benefits other than in accordance with this division or payment under section 3307.56 of the Revised Code if the retirant is unable to obtain the statement due to absence or incapacity of the spouse or other cause specified by the board.
(I) For the purpose of determining actuarial equivalence under this section, on the advice of an actuary employed by the board, the board shall adopt mortality tables that may take into consideration the membership experience of the state teachers retirement system and may also include the membership experience of the public employees retirement system and the school employees retirement system.
Sec. 3309.46.  (A) The retirement allowance calculated under section 3309.36, 3309.38, or 3309.381 of the Revised Code shall be paid as provided in this section. If the member is eligible to elect a plan of payment under this section, the election shall be made on the application for retirement. A plan of payment elected under this section shall be effective only if it is certified by the actuary engaged by the school employees retirement board to be the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance and is approved by the retirement board.
(B)(1) Unless the member is eligible to elect another plan of payment, a member who retires under section 3309.36, 3309.38, or 3309.381 of the Revised Code shall receive a retirement allowance under "plan A," which shall consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance determined under section 3309.36, 3309.38, or 3309.381 of the Revised Code in a lesser amount payable for life and one-half of such allowance continuing after death to the member's surviving spouse for the life of the spouse.
A member may elect to receive a retirement allowance under a plan of payment other than "plan A" if the member is not married or either the member's spouse consents in writing to the member's election to a plan of payment other than "plan A" or the board waives the requirement that the spouse consent.
An application for retirement shall include an explanation of all of the following:
(a) That, if the member is married, unless the spouse consents to another plan of payment, the member's retirement allowance will be paid under "plan A," which consists of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance in a lesser amount payable for life and one-half of the allowance continuing after death to the surviving spouse for the life of the spouse;
(b) A description of the alternative plans of payment, including all plans described in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section, available with the consent of the spouse;
(c) That the spouse may consent to another plan of payment and the procedure for giving consent;
(d) That consent is irrevocable once notice of consent is filed with the board.
Consent shall be valid only if it is in writing, signed by the spouse, and witnessed by an employee of the school employees retirement system or a notary public. The board may waive the requirement of consent if the spouse is incapacitated or cannot be located or for any other reason specified by the board. Consent or waiver is effective only with regard to the spouse who is the subject of the consent or waiver.
(2) A member eligible to elect to receive a retirement allowance under a plan of payment other than "plan A" shall receive the retirement allowance under the plan described in division (B)(3) of this section or one of the following plans:
(a) "Plan B," which shall consist of an allowance determined under section 3309.36, 3309.38, or 3309.381 of the Revised Code;
(b) "Plan C," which shall consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance determined under section 3309.36, 3309.38, or 3309.381 of the Revised Code in a lesser amount payable for life and one-half or some other portion of the allowance continuing after death to the member's sole surviving beneficiary designated at the time of the member's retirement, provided that the amount payable to the beneficiary does not exceed the amount payable to the member;
(c) "Plan D," which shall consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance determined under section 3309.36, 3309.38, or 3309.381 of the Revised Code in a lesser amount payable for life and continuing after death to a surviving designated beneficiary designated at the time of the member's retirement;
(d) "Plan E," which shall consist of the actuarial equivalent of the member's retirement allowance determined under section 3309.36, 3309.38, or 3309.381 of the Revised Code in a lesser amount payable for a certain period from the member's retirement date as elected by the member and approved by the retirement board, and on the member's death before the expiration of that certain period, the member's lesser retirement allowance continued for the remainder of that period to, and in such order, the beneficiaries as the member has nominated by written designation and filed with the retirement board.
Monthly benefits shall not be paid to joint beneficiaries, but they may receive the present value of any remaining payments in a lump sum settlement. If all beneficiaries die before the expiration of the certain period, the present value of all such payments yet remaining in such period shall be paid to the estate of the beneficiary last receiving.
(3)(a) Beginning on a date selected by the board, which shall be not later than July 1, 2004, a member may elect, in lieu of a plan of payment under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section, a plan consisting of both a lump sum in an amount the member designates that constitutes a portion of the retirement allowance payable under a plan described in division (B)(1) or (2) of this section and the remainder of the allowance payable under that plan in monthly payments.
The total amount paid as a lump sum and a monthly benefit shall be the actuarial equivalent of the amount that would have been paid had the lump sum not been selected.
(b) The lump sum amount designated by the member shall be not less than six times and not more than thirty-six times the monthly amount that would be payable to the member under the plan of payment elected under this section had the lump sum not been elected and shall not result in a monthly benefit that is less than fifty per cent of that amount.
(4) An election under division (B)(2) or (3) of this section shall be made at the time the member makes application for retirement.
(5) A member eligible to elect to receive a retirement allowance under a plan of payment other than "plan A" because the member is unmarried who fails to make an election on retirement shall receive a retirement allowance under "plan B."
(C) Until the first payment of any retirement allowance is made, as provided in sections 3309.36, 3309.38, or 3309.381 of the Revised Code, a member may change the member's election of a payment plan if the election is made in accordance with and is consistent with division (B) of this section.
(D) If the retirement allowances due and paid under the above provisions of this section are in a total amount less than (1) the accumulated contributions, (2) the deposits for additional credit as provided by section 3309.31 of the Revised Code, (3) the deposits for additional annuities as provided by section 3309.47 of the Revised Code, (4) the deposits for repurchase of service credit as provided by section 3309.26 of the Revised Code, (5) the accumulated contributions provided by section 3309.65 of the Revised Code, (6) the deposits for purchase of military service credit provided by section 3309.021 or 3309.022 of the Revised Code, and (7) the deposits for the purchase of service credit provided by section 3309.73 of the Revised Code, standing to the credit of the member at the time of retirement, then the difference between the total amount of the allowances paid and the accumulated contributions and other deposits shall be paid to the beneficiary provided under division (D) of section 3309.44 of the Revised Code.
(E)(1) The death of a spouse or any other designated beneficiary following the member's retirement shall cancel any plan of payment to provide continuing lifetime benefits to the spouse or designated beneficiary and the retirant shall receive the retirant's single lifetime retirement allowance equivalent as determined by the board.
(2) On divorce, annulment, or marriage dissolution, a retirant receiving a retirement allowance under a plan of payment that provides for continuation of all or part of the allowance after death for the lifetime of the member's surviving spouse may elect to cancel the plan and receive the member's single lifetime retirement allowance equivalent as determined by the retirement board, except that in the case of a member who retires on or after July 24, 1990, the election may be made only with the written consent of the spouse or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over the termination of the marriage. The election shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall be effective the month following its receipt by the board.
(3) Following marriage or remarriage, a retirant who is receiving a benefit pursuant to "plan B" may elect a new plan of payment under division (B)(1), (2)(b), or (2)(c) of this section based on the actuarial equivalent of the member's single lifetime retirement allowance as determined by the board. The
If the marriage or remarriage occurs on or after the effective date of this amendment, the election must be made not later than one year after the date of the marriage or remarriage.
The plan elected under division (E)(3) of this section shall become effective on the first day date of the month following receipt by the board of an application on a form approved by the board, but any change in the amount of the benefit shall commence on the first day of the month following the effective date of the plan.
Sec. 5505.162.  (A) On application for retirement as provided in section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system may elect, on a form provided by the state highway patrol retirement board, to receive the pension that the member is eligible to receive on retirement under that section in one of the following forms:
(1) A single lifetime pension;
(2) The actuarial equivalent of the single lifetime pension that the member may elect under division (A)(1) of this section in a lesser annual amount payable for the member's life and continuing after the member's death to a surviving designated beneficiary under one of the following optional plans, provided the annual amount payable to the designated beneficiary shall not exceed the annual amount payable to such retiring member, the amount is certified by the actuary employed by the system to be the actuarial equivalent of the member's pension, and the amount is approved by the board:
(a) Option 1. The member's lesser pension shall be paid for life to the member's sole beneficiary designated at the time of retirement.
(b) Option 2. One-half or some other portion of the member's lesser pension shall be paid for life to the member's sole beneficiary designated at the time of retirement.
(c) Option 3. Upon death before the expiration of a certain period from the member's retirement date as elected by the member and approved by the board, the member's lesser pension shall be continued for the remainder of such period to the beneficiaries, and in such order, as designated by the member in writing and filed with the board. No monthly payments shall be paid to joint beneficiaries, but they may jointly receive the present value of any remaining payments in a lump sum settlement. If all designated beneficiaries die before the expiration of such period, the present value of all the payments yet remaining in the period shall be paid to the estate of the beneficiary last receiving such payments.
(3) If the member has attained age fifty-one with at least twenty-five years' total service or fifty-two with at least twenty years' total service, a pension consisting of both a partial benefit lump sum in an amount the member designates that constitutes a portion of the single lifetime pension the member may elect under division (A)(1) of this section and the actuarial equivalent of the remainder of the single lifetime pension payable for the member's life, provided an actuary employed by the system certifies the actuarial equivalent and the board approves the partial benefit lump sum payment and the amount to be paid as the actuarial equivalent.
The amount designated by a member shall be not less than six times the monthly amount that would be payable to the member as a single lifetime pension under division (A)(1) of this section and not more than sixty times that amount.
A member who has attained the age of fifty-one with twenty-five years of service who elects a partial benefit lump sum may designate an amount that does not exceed an amount equal to one month's pension for each month of service beyond twenty-five years. A member who has attained the age of fifty-two with twenty years of service who elects a partial benefit lump sum may designate an amount that does not exceed an amount equal to one month's pension for each month of service beyond twenty years.
(B)(1) The death of a spouse designated as beneficiary or the death of any other designated beneficiary following retirement shall cancel any optional plan of payment selected under division (A)(2) of this section to provide continuing lifetime benefits to such designated beneficiary and return the member to the equivalent of the member's single lifetime pension, as determined by the board, to be effective the month following receipt by the board of notice of the death.
(2) On divorce, annulment, or marriage dissolution, a member receiving a pension under a plan that provides for continuation of all or part of the pension after death for the lifetime of the member's surviving spouse may, with the written consent of the spouse or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over the termination of the marriage, elect to cancel the plan and receive the equivalent of the member's single lifetime pension as determined by the board. The election shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall be effective the month following its receipt by the board.
(C) Following marriage or remarriage, a member may elect a new optional plan of payment under division (A)(2) of this section based on the actuarial equivalent of the member's single lifetime pension as determined by the board. The
If the marriage or remarriage occurs on or after the effective date of this amendment, the election must be made not later than one year after the date of the marriage or remarriage.
The plan elected under this division shall become effective on the first day date of the month following receipt by the board of an application on a form approved by the board, but any change in the amount of the pension shall commence on the first day of the month following the effective date of the plan.
(D) A member who has elected an optional plan under division (A)(2) of this section may, with the written consent of the designated beneficiary, cancel the optional plan and receive the single lifetime pension that the member would have received had the member elected the single lifetime pension under division (A)(1) of this section, if the member makes a request to cancel the optional plan not later than one year after the date on which the member first receives a payment under the plan. Cancellation of the optional plan shall be effective the month after acceptance of the request by the board. No payment or adjustment shall be made in the single lifetime pension to compensate for the lesser pension the member received under the optional plan.
The request to cancel the optional plan shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall be valid only if the completed form includes a signed statement of the designated beneficiary's understanding of and consent to the cancellation. The designated beneficiary's signature shall be verified by the board prior to its acceptance of the cancellation.
(E) Any option elected and payments made under division (A)(2) of this section shall be in addition to any pension payable to the member's surviving spouse, children, or parents under section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.
Section 2. That existing sections 145.384, 145.46, 742.3711, 3307.60, 3309.46, and 5505.162 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
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