3.b.1. Summary Plan DescriptionCITY OF OKEECHOBEE
MUNICIPAL FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION FUND
SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION
August 1, 2019
IS YOUR BENEFICIARY FORM CURRENT? IN THE EVENT YOU DIE, YOUR BENEFIT OR
CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PERSON OR PERSONS DESIGNATED BY
NAME ON THE BENEFICIARY FORM ON FILE WITH THE PENSION PLAN. NO PROVISION IN
YOUR LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT WILL CHANGE THIS SELECTION. PLEASE BE SURE THAT
YOUR BENEFICIARY FORM DESIGNATES THE PERSON OR PERSONS YOU INTEND TO RECEIVE
YOUR BENEFITS AND THAT YOU REVIEW THIS CHOICE IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR LIFE
CHANGE SUCH AS A DIVORCE OR THE DEATH OF YOUR BENEFICIARY.
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
MUNICIPAL FIREFIGHTERS' PENSION FUND
SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCTION
The Board of Trustees of the City of Okeechobee Municipal Firefighters’ Pension Fund is
pleased to present this booklet which briefly explains the provisions of your Firefighters' Pension
Plan. As a participant in the Fund, you are included in a program of benefits to help you meet your
financial needs at retirement, or in the event of disability or death.
This booklet can assist you in preparing for your retirement and financial future. If you need
further information on any of the topics presented in this booklet, please contact any member of the
Board of Trustees. They will either answer questions you might have to help you understand your
benefits or otherwise get you an answer to your questions. We urge you to read and understand this
booklet in order to become familiar with the benefits of the plan and how they contribute to your
financial security and how they will enrich your retirement years.
The information presented is only a summary of the pension plan ("Plan") as provided in the
ordinances of the City of Okeechobee. If there are any conflicts between the information in this
booklet and the ordinances of the City of Okeechobee, the ordinances shall govern. The provisions
of this Summary Plan Description shall not constitute a contract between the Member and the Board
of Trustees. The plan shall be administered in accordance with state and federal law,
notwithstanding any provisions in this booklet or ordinances to the contrary. A copy of the
ordinance establishing the Plan can be obtained from the City Clerk's office, which is located at 55
S.E. Third Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974.
Chairman, Board of Trustees, City of
Okeechobee Municipal Firefighters’ Pension
Fund
Date
1.BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND PLAN ADMINISTRATION
A.Administration.
(1)The City of Okeechobee Municipal Firefighters’ Pension Fund is a
defined benefit pension plan administered by a Board of Trustees
which acts as the administrator of the Plan. The Board consists of 5
Trustees, 2 of whom legal residents of the City who are appointed by
the City Council, 2 of whom are members of the Plan who are elected
by a majority of the Firefighters who are members of the Plan and a
fifth Trustee who is chosen by a majority of the first 4 Trustees. Each
Trustee serves a 4 year term.
(2)DROP participants can be elected as but not vote for elected Trustees.
B.The names and addresses of the current Trustees and the plan administrator
are attached to this Summary Plan Description as Exhibit "A". The Chairman of the Board of
Trustees is designated as agent for the service of legal process.
2.ELIGIBILITY FOR PLAN MEMBERSHIP
Each person employed by the City Fire Department as a full-time Firefighter becomes
a member of the Plan as a condition of his employment. All Firefighters are therefore eligible for
all plan benefits as provided for in the plan document and by applicable law.
3.PLAN BENEFITS
All claims for benefits under the Plan shall be made in writing to the Board of
Trustees. It is your responsibility to contact the plan and make a written application for benefits
when you are eligible to start receiving your benefit at your normal or early retirement date. You
should file your application for benefits with the plan administrator at least 45 days prior to the date
that benefits are to commence. Benefit payments shall begin only after a written application is filed
and payments shall not be made retroactive to your original eligibility date should you delay in
applying for benefits.
A.Normal Retirement Eligibility. You are eligible for retirement upon the
earlier of the attainment of age 55 and the completion of 10 years of credited service or upon the
completion of 25 years of credited service, regardless of age.
B.Amount of Normal Retirement Benefits. The amount of the normal retirement
benefit is based on your credited service and average final com pensation:
"Credited Service" is generally your period of employment as a Firefighter
in the Fire Department measured in years and parts of years. Credited service will include credit for
up to five years for a break in employment for military service, pursuant to conditions provided for
under state or federal law, provided that you are reemployed within 1 year of discharge under
honorable conditions. Additional credited service time may also be available (See subsection L.
below).
"Average Final Compensation" is 1/12 of the average salary of the 5 best
years of the last 10 years of credited service prior to your termination, retirement or death or the
career average as a full-time Firefighter, whichever is greater. A year is defined as 12 consecutive
months.
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"Salary" is the basic compensation paid by the City to you, plus all tax
deferred, tax sheltered and tax exempt items of income derived from elective employee payroll
deductions or salary reductions otherwise includible in basic com pensation.
The normal retirement benefit is calculated by multiplying 3% times years
of credited service times your average final compensation: (3% x CS x AFC = normal retirement
benefit).
Normal and early retirement payments will commence on the first day of the
month coincident with or next following your last day of employment. Early retirees may defer the
commencement of benefits. The benefit is paid to you for your life, but you or your beneficiary shall
receive at least 120 monthly benefit payments in any event.
C.Early Retirement. You are eligible for early retirement upon the attainment
of age 50 and the completion of 10 years of credited service.
D.Amount of Early Retirement Benefits. The amount of the early retirement
benefit is calculated in the same manner as for normal retirement and is available as follows:
(1)Beginning on the date on which you would have qualified for normal
retirement; or
(2)Beginning immediately upon retirement, but if beginning
immediately, the amount of the monthly benefit is reduced by 3% for
each year the commencement of benefits precedes the date which
would have been your normal retirement date based upon your actual
years of credited service.
E.Cost of Living Increases. In addition to the benefits provided above, the Plan
provides for a cost of living increase on every October 1st of odd numbered years. The monthly
benefit of each retiree (or their beneficiary or joint annuitant), including disability retirees and vested
terminated persons, who has been receiving benefits for at least one year as of the adjustment date,
shall be increased by .5%.
F.Supplemental Benefit - Share Plan. Pursuant to Florida law, a separate
member “share account” has been created for each member of the plan. This supplemental benefit
may or may not be funded and thus, you may or may not receive a retirement benefit from the share
plan. If the share plan is funded, then at retirement, termination (vested), disability or death, there
shall be an additional benefit paid to you. The share plan is funded solely with state premium tax
money and the funding that is received for this Share Plan is allocated to your share account based
on a formula which gives you an allocation based on your years of credited service. Your share
account receives its proportionate share of the incom e or loss on the assets in the plan.
G.Other Retirement Options. At retirement, certain additional options are
available as follows:
(1)Optional Forms of Retirement. In lieu of the amount and form of
retirement income payable under normal and early retirement, you
may elect to receive a retirement benefit in a different form so long
as the form you elect is of equal actuarial value as the normal benefit.
The optional forms of benefits which are available are:
(a)A retirement income of a modified monthly amount, payable
to you during your lifetime and following your death, 100%,
75%, 66 2/3% or 50% of such monthly amount payable to a
joint pensioner for his lifetime.
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(b)A retirement income of a monthly amount payable to you for
your lifetime only.
(c)If you retire prior to the time at which social security benefits
are payable, you may elect to receive an increased retirement
benefit until such time as social security benefits shall be
assumed to commence and a reduced benefit thereafter in
order to provide, to as great an extent as possible, a more
level retirement allowance during the entire period of
retirement.
(d)If you do not participate in the DROP, you may also elect to
receive an initial lump sum payment equal to 20% of your
accrued benefit with the remaining 80% payable in a form
selected by you and provided for in (a) or (b) above or in the
normal form (10 years certain and life).
(2)Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP).
(a)If you become eligible for normal retirement, and are still
employed by the City as a Firefighter, you have the option of
"retiring" from the pension plan but continuing your
employment as a Firefighter for an additional 5 years. An
election to participate in the DROP constitutes an irrevocable
election to resign from the service of the City not later than 5
years from the date you begin DROP participation. You must
request, in writing, to enter the DROP.
(b)Upon entering the DROP, your retirement benefit is
immediately calculated and each monthly benefit payment is
deposited into your DROP account. You may elect to either
have your account credited with interest at the rate of 6.5%
per annum or credited or debited with an investment return or
loss equal to the net investment return realized by the system
for that quarter. One change in election is permitted.
(c)At the time of termination of employment at the end of the
DROP period, you will receive your account balance in a
lump sum and you will also begin receiving your monthly
retirement benefit.
(d)Once you enter the DROP, you are no longer eligible for
disability or pre-retirement death benefits, nor do you accrue
any additional credited service. Your retirement benefit is
fixed as of your entry date. You pay no member
contributions to the plan once you enter the DROP.
(e)Participation in the DROP is not a guarantee of employment
and DROP participants shall be subject to the same
employment standards and policies that are applicable to
employees who are not DROP participants.
(f)Additional information about the DROP can be obtained from
the Board.
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H.Disability Retirement. You are considered disabled when you become totally
and permanently unable to perform useful and efficient service as a Firefighter. A written
application is made to the Board of Trustees for a disability pension and the Board of Trustees
receives evidence of the disability and decides whether or not the pension is to be granted. If the
pension is granted, the benefit amount shall be:
(1)If the injury or disease is service connected, you shall be entitled to
a monthly pension equal to 3% of your average final compensation
multiplied by your total years of credited service, but in any event,
the minimum amount paid shall be 42% of your average final
compensation.
(2)If the injury or disease is not service connected, you shall be entitled
to a monthly benefit equal to the greater of (i) or (ii) where (i) is 2%
average final compensation multiplied by the total years of credited
service and (ii) is a benefit determined in the same manner as for
early retirement. In any event, the benefit shall not be less than 25%
of your average final compensation. This non-service connected
benefit is only available if you have at least 5 years of credited
service. The non-service connected disability benefit is not available
to you if you have less years of credited service.
Eligibility for disability benefits. Subject to (4) below, you must be an active
member of the plan on the date the Board determines your entitlement to a disability benefit.
(1)Terminated persons, either vested or non-vested, are not eligible for
disability benefits.
(2)If you voluntarily terminate your employment either before or after
filing an application for disability benefits, you are not eligible for
disability benefits.
(3)If you are terminated by the City for any reason other than for
medical reasons, either before or after you file an application for
disability benefits, you are not eligible for disability benefits.
(4)The only exception to (1) above is:
(a)If you are terminated by the City for medical reasons and you
have already applied for disability benefits before the medical
termination, or;
(b)If you are terminated by the City for medical reasons and you
apply within 30 days after your medical termination date.
If either (4)(a), or (4)(b) above applies, your application will be
processed and fully considered by the board.
Your disability benefit terminates upon the earlier of death, with 120
payments guaranteed, or recovery. You may, however, select a "life only" or "joint and survivor"
optional form of benefit as described above under "Optional Forms of Retirement".
Your benefit will be reduced if you receive workers' compensation benefits
and your combined benefit exceeds 100% of your final salary. The pension benefit will be reduced
so that the total does not exceed 100%, except that the pension benefit shall not be reduced below
the greater of 42% of average final compensation or 2.75% of average final compensation times
years of credited service.
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Any condition or impairment of health caused by hypertension or heart
disease resulting in death or total and permanent disability is presumed to have been suffered in the
line of duty unless the contrary is shown by competent evidence; provided that you have
successfully passed a physical examination on entering into service and there is no evidence of the
condition at that time.
For conditions diagnosed on or after January 1, 1996, if you suffer a condition
or impairment of health that is caused by hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, or tuberculosis, which
results in total and permanent disability, it shall be presumed that the disability is in the line of duty,
unless the contrary is shown by competent evidence as provided for in Section 112.181, Florida
Statutes, provided that the statutory provisions have been m et.
To receive disability benefits you must establish to the satisfaction of the
Board, that such disability was not occasioned primarily by:
(1)Excessive or habitual use of any drugs, intoxicants or narcotics.
(2)Injury or disease sustained while willfully and illegally participating
in fights, riots or civil insurrections or while com mitting a crime.
(3)Injury or disease sustained while serving in any branch of the Armed
Forces.
(4)Injury or disease sustained after your employment as a Firefighter
with the City of Okeechobee shall have terminated.
As a disabled pensioner, you are subject to periodic medical examinations as
directed by the Board to determine whether a disability continues.
I.Death Before Retirement. If you die prior to retirement from the City Fire
Department, your beneficiary shall receive the following benefit:
(1)Prior to Vesting or Eligibility for Retirement. If you were not
receiving monthly benefit payments or were not yet vested or eligible
for early or normal retirement, your beneficiary shall receive a refund
of 100% of your accumulated contributions, including interest.
(2)Deceased Members Vested or Eligible for Retirement. If you die
and, at the date of your death were vested or eligible for early or
normal retirement, your beneficiary shall be entitled to a benefit as
follows:
(a)If you have a right to a vested accrued benefit, whether or not
you are still actively employed, you shall be eligible for a
death benefit if you die before collecting any other benefits
from this Plan. The amount of the death benefit shall be
equal to 50% of the actuarially equivalent single sum value of
your vested accrued benefit, or your accumulated
contributions, including interest, whichever is greater. If this
single sum value is less than $5,000, it shall be paid in a lump
sum. If the value exceeds $5,000, your beneficiary may elect
payment under any of the optional forms available for
retirement benefits or a lump sum payment.
(b)If you are eligible for early or normal retirement, but remain
employed and die while so employed, the death benefit shall
be determined as follows: It shall be assumed that you had
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retired immediately preceding your date of death and elected
the ten year certain and life thereafter option. However, the
death benefit shall be equal to 50% of the actuarially
equivalent single sum value of your vested accrued benefit,
if larger than the ten year certain and life thereafter option.
(c)If you die and at the date of your death were a member or
terminated vested person with 10 or more years of credited
service and prior to your retirement or prior to receipt of
benefits, your spouse beneficiary shall be entitled to the
accrued normal or early retirement benefit payable at your
early or normal retirement age less the value of any benefits
paid or payable under this subsection H.(2).
If your beneficiary is not your spouse, the benefits to your
non-spouse beneficiary are the same as those to a spouse
beneficiary, however, the date of commencement of those
benefits may be required to be earlier, with the resulting
reduction in the amount.
J.Termination of Employment and Vesting. If your employment is terminated,
either voluntarily or involuntarily, the following benefits are payable:
(1)If you have less than 10 years of credited service upon termination,
you shall be entitled to a refund of the money you have contributed
or you may leave it deposited with the fund.
(2)If you have 10 or more years of credited service upon termination,
you shall be entitled to a monthly retirement benefit. The benefit
shall be determined in the same manner for normal or early
retirement and based upon your credited service, average final
compensation and the benefit accrual rate as of the date of
termination. The benefit shall be payable to you beginning at your
otherwise normal or early retirement date, determined based upon
your actual years of credited service, provided you do not elect to
withdraw your contributions and provided you survive to your
otherwise normal or early retirement date. If you do not withdraw
your accumulated contributions and do not survive to your otherwise
normal or early retirement date, your designated beneficiary shall be
entitled to a benefit as provided herein for a deceased member, vested
or eligible for retirement under Death Before Retirement.
The Internal Revenue Code provides that certain eligible lump sum
distributions from the pension system may be directly rolled over into qualified individual retirement
accounts, annuities or certain other pension plans. A 20% withholding shall be required on taxable
portions of such lump sum distributions not directly transferred to a new custodian.
K.Reemployment After Retirement. If you retire under normal or early
retirement and wish to be reemployed by the city, you should be aware that your ability to continue
to receive your pension benefit upon reemployment may be restricted. While the plan may be
permitted to make benefit payments to you if you are reemployed, in this event you may be subject
to a 10% tax penalty, which penalty may continue until you attain age 59 ½, whether or not you
continue to be employed by the City.
L.Additional Credited Service. In addition to credited service actually earned
in the employment of the Fire Department, you may also receive credited service as follows:
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(1)"Buy-Back" for Prior Fire Service. The years or fractional parts of
years that you previously served as a Firefighter with the City of
Okeechobee during a period of previous employment and for which
period accumulated contributions were withdrawn from the Fund
shall be added to your years of credited service provided that within
the first 90 days of your reemployment you pay into the plan the
withdrawn contributions with interest.
If, after 90 days from your reemployment you have failed to purchase
credited service pursuant to the previous paragraph or if you served
as a full-time Firefighter for any other municipal, county or special
district fire department in the State of Florida, you will receive
credited service only if:
(a)You contribute to the Fund a sum equal to:
(i)the amount that you would have contributed to the
Plan, based on your salary and the member
contribution rate in effect at the time that the credited
service is requested, had you been a member of the
Plan for the years or fractional parts of years for
which you are requesting credit, plus
(ii)an additional amount to be determined by the Board's
actuary so that there is no cost to the Plan in giving
you the additional years of credited service, plus
(iii)the amount charged by the actuary for determining the
amount you must contribute.
(b)Multiple requests to purchase credited service may be made
at any time prior to retirement.
(c)Payment of the required amount shall be made within 6
months of your request for credit, but not later than your
retirement date, and shall be made in one lump sum payment
upon receipt of which credited service shall be given.
(d)The maximum credit under this subsection for service other
than with the City of Okeechobee shall be 5 years of credited
service and shall count for all purposes, except vesting and
eligibility for not-in-line of duty disability benefits. There
shall be no maximum purchase of credit for prior service with
the City of Okeechobee and such credit shall count for all
purposes, including vesting.
(e)In no event, however, may credited service be purchased
pursuant to this subsection for prior service with any other
municipal, county or special district fire department, if such
prior service forms or will form the basis of a retirement
benefit or pension from a different employer's retirement
system or plan.
(2)"Buy-Back for Prior Military Service". The years or fractional parts
of years that you serve or have served on active duty in the active
military service of the Armed Forces of the United States, the United
States Merchant Marine or the United States Coast Guard, voluntarily
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or involuntarily, honorably or under honorable conditions, prior to
first and initial employment with the City Fire Department shall be
added to your years of credited service provided that:
(a)You contribute to the Fund a sum of money equal to:
(i)the amount that you would have contributed to the
Plan, based on your salary and the member
contribution rate in effect at the time that the credited
service is requested, had you been a member of the
Plan for the years or fractional parts of years for
which you are requesting credit, plus
(ii)an additional amount to be determined by the Board's
actuary so that there is no cost to the Plan in giving
you the additional years of credited service, plus
(iii)the amount charged by the actuary for determining the
amount you must contribute.
(b)Multiple requests to purchase credited service pursuant to this
subsection may be made at any time prior to retirement.
(c)Payment by you of the required amount shall be made within
6 months of your request for credit, but not later than your
retirement date, and shall be made in one lump sum payment
upon receipt of which credited service shall be given.
(d)The maximum credit under this subsection shall be 4 years.
(e)Credited service purchased pursuant to this subsection shall
not count toward vesting or eligibility for not-in-line of duty
disability benefits.
(3)Transfers Within the City. If you transfer to either of the other two
retirement Plans with the City, you must choose one of the following
procedures with regard to credited service accrued to date of transfer:
(a)You may take a refund of your accumulated contributions, in
which event no pension benefit shall be payable based on
credited service attributable to the period covered.
(b)You may leave your accumulated contributions in the fund,
in which event your credited service with both Plans shall be
combined for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits
and for vesting. When you are eligible to receive a benefit,
you shall receive benefits from both Plans, which shall
consist of accrued benefits under each Plan based on the
provisions of the respective Plan and the earnings and
credited service under that Plan.
(4)Rollovers or Transfers of Funds to Purchase Service. In the event
you are eligible to purchase additional credited service as provided
above, you may be eligible to rollover or transfer funds from another
retirement program in which you participate (traditional IRA,
deferred compensation plan maintained by a government employer
(457 plan), 401k plan, profit sharing plan, defined benefit plan,
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money purchase plan, annuity plan or tax sheltered annuity) in order
to pay all or part of the cost of purchasing such additional credited
service.
M.Contributions and Funding. The City is paying the portion of the cost of the
pension over and above your contributions and any amounts received from the state insurance
rebates. You contribute 5% of your salary to the Fund. Your contribution will be excluded from
your gross income for withholding purposes so you will realize income tax benefits.
N.Maximum Benefits. In no event will the annual benefits paid from this Plan
exceed $225,000 annually subject to certain cost of living adjustments and actuarial reductions,
under certain circumstances, for retirement prior to age 62 as set forth in Section 415 of the Internal
Revenue Code.
If you began participation for the first time on and after January 1, 1980, you
cannot receive a benefit in excess of 100% of your Average Final Compensation.
O.Forfeiture of Pension. If you are convicted of the certain crimes listed in the
plan document committed prior to retirement, or if your employment is terminated by reason of your
admitted commission, aid or abetment of these crimes you shall forfeit all rights and benefits under
the Plan, except for the return of your contributions, including interest, as of the date of your
termination.
P.Conviction and Forfeiture; False, Misleading or Fraudulent Statements. It
is unlawful for you to willfully and knowingly make, or cause to be made, or to assist, conspire with,
or urge another to make, or cause to be made, any false, fraudulent, or misleading oral or written
statement or withhold or conceal material information to obtain any benefit from the Plan.
If you violate the previous paragraph, you commit a misdemeanor of the first
degree, punishable as provided in Section 775.082 or Section 775.083, Florida Statutes.
In addition to any applicable criminal penalty, upon conviction for a violation
described above, you or your beneficiary may, in the discretion of the Board, be required to forfeit
the right to receive any or all benefits to which you would otherwise be entitled under the Plan. For
purposes of this subsection, "conviction" means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea
or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld.
Q.Claims Procedure Before the Board. You may request, in writing, that the
Board review any claim for benefits under the Plan. The Board will review the case and enter a
decision as it deems proper within not more than 270 days from the date of the receipt of such
written request, or in the case of a disability claim, from receipt of a medical release and completed
interrogatories. The time period may be extended if you agree to the extension.
The Board's decision on your claim will be contained in an order which will
be in writing and will include:
(1)The specific reasons for the Board's action;
(2)A description of any additional information that the Board feels is
necessary for you to perfect your claim;
(3)An explanation of the review procedure next open to you which
includes a formal evidentiary hearing.
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4.NON-FORFEITURE OF PENSION BENEFITS
A.Liquidation of Pension Fund Assets. In the event of repeal, or if contributions
to the fund are discontinued by the City, there will be a full vesting of benefits accrued to date of
repeal.
B.Interest of Members in Pension Fund. At no time prior to the satisfaction of
all liabilities under the Plan shall any assets of the Plan be used for any purpose other than for the
Firefighters' exclusive benefit. In any event, your contributions to the Plan are non-forfeitable.
5.VESTING OF BENEFITS
Your retirement benefits are vested after 10 years of credited service.
6.APPLICABLE LAW
The Plan is governed by certain federal, state and local laws, including but not limited
to the following:
A.Internal Revenue Code and amendments thereto.
B.Chapter 175, Florida Statutes, "Municipal Firefighters' Retirement Trust
Funds".
C.Part VII, Chapter 112, Florida Statutes, "Actuarial Soundness of Retirement
Systems".
D.Ordinances of the City of Okeechobee.
E.Administrative rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees.
7.PLAN YEAR AND PLAN RECORDS
The Plan year begins on October 1 of each year and ends on September 30 of the
following year. All records of the Plan are maintained on the basis of the Plan year.
8.APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENTS
There is no collective bargaining agreement between the Firefighters and the City.
9.FINANCIAL AND ACTUARIAL INFORMATION
A.A report of pertinent financial and actuarial information on the solvency and
actuarial soundness of the Plan is attached as Exhibit "B".
B.A copy of the detailed accounting report of the plan's expenses for the
previous fiscal year is available for review upon request to the Plan
Administrator.
C.A copy of the administrative expense budget for the plan, for each fiscal year
is available for review upon request to the Plan Administrator.
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10.DIVORCE OR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
Federal and state law provides certain restrictions regarding the payment of your
pension benefits in the event of your divorce or dissolution of marriage. Immediately upon your
involvement in such a legal proceeding, you should provide a member of the Board with the name
and address of your attorney or your name and address if you have no attorney. The Board's
attorney will then provide you or your attorney with information concerning the legal restrictions
regarding your pension benefits. In addition, a copy of any proposed order must be submitted to the
Board prior to entry by the court. Failure to do so may require you to pay any expenses incurred by
the Board in correcting an improper court order.
11.EX-SPOUSES AS BENEFICIARY OR JOINT PENSIONER
The Florida Legislature has adopted Section 732.703, Florida Statutes. This law
nullifies the designation of your ex-spouse as a Beneficiary or Joint Annuitant / Joint Pensioner on
your pension plan retirement benefits. This law went into effect on July 1, 2012.
After July 1, 2012, if you want your ex-spouse to be a beneficiary or joint
annuitant/joint pensioner for your plan benefit, you will have to make that designation AFTER the
dissolution of marriage. If you currently have an ex-spouse as a beneficiary or joint annuitant/joint
pensioner, and want to keep this designation, you will have to designate the ex-spouse again after
July 1, 2012.
To reconfirm your current beneficiary, or to designate a new beneficiary, complete
a new Designation of Beneficiary Form (PF-3).
To reconfirm your current joint annuitant/joint pensioner, or to designate a new joint
annuitant/joint pensioner (if authorized by the current plan provisions), indicate such change on a
Change or Confirmation of Designated Joint Annuitant or Joint Pensioner Form (PF-25). If
necessary, the plan administrator will submit the new form to the actuary of the plan for
recalculation of your benefit. There may be a charge to you to make this change.
To obtain either of the above forms, or if you have any questions, please contact your
plan administrator.
12.EXCLUSION OF HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FROM INCOME.
When you retire because of disability or have worked to the date you are immediately
eligible for normal retirement (not early retirement), you can elect to exclude from income,
distributions made from your benefit that are used to pay the premiums for accident or health
insurance or long-term care insurance. The premium can be for coverage for you, your spouse, or
dependents. The distribution must be made directly from the plan to the insurance provider using
pension form PF-22 which authorizes the distribution. (This form may be obtained from your plan
administrator) You can exclude from income the smaller of the amount of the insurance premiums
or $3,000.00. You can only make this election for amounts that would otherwise be included in your
income.
kp\ok\fire\06-04-19.spd
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EXHIBIT "A"
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The names and addresses of the members of the Board of Trustees are:
Chairman:Herb Smith
55 S.E. Third Avenue
Okeechobee, Florida 34974
Secretary:Adam Crum
55 S.E. Third Avenue
Okeechobee, Florida 34974
Member:Josh Sanders
55 S.E. Third Avenue
Okeechobee, Florida 34974
Member:John Koepke
905 S.E. 8th Avenue
Okeechobee, Florida 34974
Member:Glenn Hodges
55 S.E. Third Avenue
Okeechobee, Florida 34974
PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
Kyle Tintle
Okeechobee Municipal Firefighters' Pension Fund
Pension Resource Center
4360 Northlake Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410
Business: 561-459-2957
E-mail: kyle@resourcecenters.com