APPENDIX TO TITLE 24
EDUCATION
Supplementary Provisions of Amendatory Statutes
1975, OCTOBER 2, P.L.298, NO.96
§ 3. Savings clause.
In order to assure an orderly transition, the following provisions of repealed law shall be saved and applicable as specified:
(1) Former annuitants returning to service.--The provisions relating to the calculation of annuities of annuitants who return to school service and subsequently retire shall not apply to former annuitants who are active members of the system on the effective date of this act.
(2) Interest on purchasing prior creditable service.--The amount due for the purchase of any credit for service creditable to an active member under the provisions of the act of June 1, 1959 (P.L.350, No.77), known as the "Public School Employes' Retirement Code of 1959," shall not include interest if the member makes a lump sum payment of the full amount due prior to January 1, 1976 or commences regular payments through salary deductions for such service prior to January 1, 1976 and completes such payments prior to January 1, 1978. Any member who elects to purchase such credit and does not make a lump sum payment of the full amount due prior to January 1, 1976 or commences regular payments through salary deductions prior to January 1, 1976 and does not complete such payments prior to January 1, 1978 shall be required to purchase such credit in accordance with the provisions of this act.
(3) Class T-B member current service contributions.--The rights of members of Class T-B as provided in section 301(2)(c) and (d) of the act of June 1, 1959 (P.L.350, No.77), known as the "Public School Employes' Retirement Code of 1959," shall continue.
(4) Minimum benefits to former teachers.--The provisions relating to former teachers as provided in sections 303(3) and 407(1) of the act of June 1, 1959 (P.L.350, No.77), known as the "Public School Employes' Retirement Code of 1959," shall continue.
§ 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately except that:
(1) Prior creditable service purchasing and benefits.--As applicable to members terminating school service on or after March 1, 1974, the provisions relating to the purchase of credit for previous school or creditable nonschool service and the calculation of benefits shall be effective March 1, 1974.
(2) Members on leave without pay.--The provisions relating to the crediting of statutory interest to the accounts of members on leave without pay shall become effective on July 1, 1975.
(3) Basic contribution rates and employer contributions.--The provisions relating to the basic contribution rate of members shall become effective on July 1, 1976 and the provisions relating to the payment of the employer contributions shall become effective on July 1, 1975.
(4) Part-time employee membership.--The provisions relating to membership of part-time employees shall become effective with the beginning of the school year 1975-1976.
(5) Eligibility for disability annuities.--The provisions relating to eligibility for disability annuities shall be effective December 1, 1974.
1976, JULY 9, P.L.965, NO.189
§ 2. Effective date and applicability.
This act shall take effect immediately and apply to persons having an individual retirement account as provided in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8301(a)(4) on or after September 2, 1974.
Explanatory Note. Act 189 amended section 8301 of Title 24.
1979, DECEMBER 18, P.L.566, NO.130
§ 3. Biennial organization of joint legislative committee.
Within 30 days after the convening of the General Assembly in an odd-numbered year, the General Assembly shall organize a joint committee, composed of members of the General Assembly to be selected as follows: the President pro tempore shall select three Senators, two from the Majority Party and one from the Minority Party and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall select three members of the House of Representatives, two from the Majority Party and one from the Minority Party. The joint committee shall select a chairman and shall conduct a review of the cost-of-living supplements accruing pursuant to 24 Pa.C.S. § 8348 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5708 during the previous two years, the changes in the Consumer Price Index and the earnings of the funds, for the purpose of determining the equitability of the increases in light of the then prevailing economic conditions. The joint committee shall have the power to call on any State department or agency for assistance and shall report its recommendations to the General Assembly prior to the end of the session.
1982, JUNE 17, P.L.534, NO.152
§ 2. Legislative intent.
In this period of fiscal restraint and a reduced student population in the public school system, it is the intent of this legislation to aid school districts by reducing the need for furloughing of teachers and to provide cost-saving opportunities to school districts through providing teachers a one-time option for early retirement.
Explanatory Note. Act 152 added section 8311 of Title 24.
§ 3. Nonseverability.
It is the intent of the General Assembly that it would not have enacted any of the provisions of this amendatory act without all other provisions of this amendatory act and that all of the provisions are essentially and inseparably connected with each other. Accordingly, the provisions of this amendatory act shall be nonseverable.
§ 4. Effective date and retroactivity.
This act shall take effect immediately and shall be retroactive to June 1, 1982.
1983, JULY 22, P.L.104, NO.31
§ 10. Waiver of actuarial note requirement for retirement bills.
The provisions of section 7 of the act of July 9, 1981 (P.L.208, No.66), known as the Public Employee Retirement Study Commission Act, are suspended for the purpose of considering this bill and all amendments to it.
Explanatory Note. Act 31 added or amended Chapter 29 and sections 8102, 8302(a), 8321, 8322.1, 8323(a), 8502(m), 8505(g), 8506(c), (d) and (e), 8507(b) and 8523(a) of Title 24 and sections 5102, 5302(b), 5306(a), 5502, 5503.1, 5504(a), 5505(b) and (d), 5505.1, 5702(a)(3) and (4), 5704(e), 5707(d), 5903(d) and 5933(a) of Title 71.
§ 12. Treatment by employer of school employee pickup contributions.
Within 30 days of the receipt by the board of a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that pickup contributions under this amendatory act are not to be included in the gross income of the employee until they are distributed or made available, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 414 (h) (relating to tax treatment of certain contributions), or within 30 days after the passage of this act, whichever is later, the board shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations implementing this act. After the effective date of the rules and regulations, the employer shall pick up the required contributions by a reduction in the compensation of the employee. Prior thereto, each employer shall continue to withhold Federal income taxes based upon pickup contributions.
§ 13. Use of increased school employee contributions.
Increased contributions to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund as a result of the increase in the basic contribution rate shall be used to improve the actuarial soundness of the fund by reducing accrued liability.
§ 14. Appropriation for increased school employee contributions.
For the fiscal year 1983-1984, the General Assembly hereby appropriates an amount necessary for the Governor to increase the Commonwealth's contribution to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund by an amount equivalent to the increase of the member contributions during the fiscal year 1983-1984 as a result of the change in the basic contribution rate as provided in section 8102 of Title 24. This executive authorization shall be implemented by the Governor on or before October 1, 1983.
§ 15. Nonseverability.
The provisions of sections 2, 3 and 4 of this act are expressly nonseverable. In the event a court of competent jurisdiction rules finally that the salary reductions mandated in these sections are legally or constitutionally impermissible, these sections shall be void.
Explanatory Note. Sections 2, 3 and 4 affected the amendments to Title 24 other than Chapter 29.
§ 16. Effective date and retroactivity.
(a) General rule.--Except as provided in the following subsections, the amendments to Title 24 shall take effect immediately and shall be retroactive to January 1, 1983.
(b) School subsidies.--Sections 1 (adding Chapter 29 of Title 24) and 9 (repeals) shall take effect immediately and shall be retroactive to July 1, 1983.
(c) Retirement contributions by school and public employees.--The amendments to the definition of "basic contribution rate" in section 8102 of Title 24 and all of the amendments to Title 71 shall take effect immediately.
1984, JUNE 29, P.L.450, NO.95
§ 9. Provisions relating to Title 24 amendments.
(a) Early retirement.--It is the intent of the General Assembly by adding 24 Pa.C.S. § 8312 (relating to eligibility for special early retirement) during this period of reduced student population in the public school system and of fiscal restraint to assist school districts by providing cost-saving opportunities to school districts and reduce the need for school districts to furlough public school employees by granting eligible public school employees with a one-time option for early retirement.
(b) Report on resulting actuarial cost and salary savings.--On or before January 2, 1987, the Secretary of Education, with the cooperation of the Executive Director of the Public School Employees' Retirement System, shall prepare and transmit to the Governor and to the General Assembly a report on the numbers of persons utilizing the special early retirement option and the actuarial cost and the salary savings resulting from this special early retirement option. The report shall summarize, on the basis of each participating employing unit, the additional actuarial cost attributable to this legislation on the part of any Public School Employees' Retirement System members who were employed by the employing unit as of June 1, 1985 who retired during the period July 1, 1985 through June 30, 1986 and to whom the provisions of this act are applicable. The additional actuarial cost for each applicable annuitant shall be provided by the Executive Director of Public School Employees' Retirement System and shall be the difference between the present value of the maximum single life annuity actually payable to the applicable annuitant as of the date of retirement and the present value of the maximum single life annuity which would have been payable to the applicable annuitant as of the date of retirement pursuant to law without reference to this act. The report shall also summarize, on the basis of each participating employing unit, the salary savings attributable to retirement pursuant to this legislation. The salary and fringe benefits savings information for each participating employing unit shall be the difference between the most current annual salaries for those Public School Employees' Retirement System members who were employed by the employing unit as of June 1, 1985 who retired during the period July 1, 1985 through June 30, 1986 and to whom the provisions of this act are applicable, and the current annual salaries of those persons, if any, who were newly employed by that employing unit in the same or substantially similar employment positions or classifications as the applicable retiring employees during the period September 1, 1985 through October 31, 1986 and whose employment was not a result of an increase in applicable complement levels. Employing units shall provide information on the number of positions left vacant and the amount of salary and fringe benefits savings attributable to retirement pursuant to this legislation. Savings in potential unemployment compensation payments shall also be calculated.
(c) Nonseverability.--It is the intent of the General Assembly that it would not have enacted any of the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8312 and this section without all other provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8312 and that all of the provisions are essentially and inseparably connected with each other. Accordingly, the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8312 and this section shall be nonseverable.
Explanatory Note. Act 95 added or amended sections 8312, 8328, 8348.1 and 8521 of Title 24 and sections 5308.1, 5508, 5708.1 and 5931 of Title 71.
§ 11. Applicability of other law.
The provisions of section 7 of the act of July 9, 1981 (P.L.208, No.66), known as the Public Employee Retirement Study Commission Act, shall not apply to this act.
1984, DECEMBER 19, P.L.1191, NO.226
§ 8. Waiver of actuarial note requirement for retirement bills.
The provisions of section 7 of the act of July 9, 1981 (P.L.208, No.66), known as the Public Employee Retirement Study Commission Act, are suspended for the purpose of considering this bill and all amendments to it.
Explanatory Note. Act 226 reenacted the defs. of "accumulated deductions," "active member," "compensation," "date of termination of service," "full coverage member," "inactive member," "pickup contributions" and "valuation interest" in section 8102 and reenacted or amended sections 8302(a), 8304(b), 8321, 8322.1, 8323(a), 8324(e), 8502(m), 8505(g), 8506(c), (d) and (e), 8507(b) and 8523(a) of Title 24.
§ 9. Applicability of existing rules and regulations.
The rules and regulations formerly adopted and promulgated by the board pursuant to the pickup contribution provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Part IV (relating to retirement for school employees), to the extent applicable, shall remain in full force and effect for purposes of implementing this act. Pursuant to the rules and regulations, the employer shall pick up the required contributions by a reduction in the compensation of the employee.
1988, OCTOBER 21, P.L.844, NO.112
§ 8. Applicability of other law.
The provisions of section 7 of the act of July 9, 1981 (P.L.208, No.66), known as the Public Employee Retirement Study Commission Act, shall not apply to this act.
Explanatory Note. Act 112 added or amended sections 8304, 8312, 8328, 8348.2 and 8501 of Title 24 and sections 5304, 5308.1, 5505, 5508 and 5708.2 of Title 71.
1991, AUGUST 5, P.L.183, NO.23
§ 27. Recertification to Budget Secretary.
(a) Public School Employees' Retirement Board.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the board shall, effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1991, recertify to the Budget Secretary, within 15 days of the effective date of this act, the contributions, rates, factors and amounts set forth in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(k), as amended by this act. The board's recertification shall reflect all changes in the contributions, rates and amounts previously certified by the board prior to the date of this act for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1991, required to comply with 24 Pa.C.S. § 8328, as amended by this act. Said recertification shall supersede the prior certification for all purposes.
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Explanatory Note. Act 23 amended or added sections 8102, 8301, 8302, 8304, 8312, 8323, 8324, 8326, 8327, 8328, 8346, 8348.1, 8348.2, 8501, 8502, 8505, 8508, 8509, 8521, 8522, 8524, 8525 and 8526 of Title 24 and sections 5102, 5301, 5302, 5303, 5304, 5308.1, 5505, 5507, 5508, 5706, 5708.1, 5708.2, 5901, 5902, 5903, 5905, 5906, 5908, 5931, 5938 and 5955 of Title 71.
§ 28. Authorized investments of Public School Employees' Retirement Board and State Employees' Retirement Board.
Any and all authorized investments of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board and of the State Employees' Retirement Board, respectively, which on the effective date of this act are owned or held through a vehicle as described in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8521(n) or 71 Pa.C.S. § 5931(o), as applicable, shall be deemed to have been lawfully made through such vehicle at inception.
§ 29. Applicability of other law.
The provisions of section 7 of the act of July 9, 1981 (P.L.208, No.66), known as the Public Employee Retirement Study Commission Act, shall not apply to this act.
§ 31. Limitations on creditable nonschool service in Cadet Nurse Corps.
The amendments of limitations on creditable nonschool service in the Cadet Nurse Corps (24 Pa.C.S. § 8304(b)(8)) shall be retroactive to January 1, 1989, in order to be consistent with the amendment of 71 Pa.C.S. § 5304(c)(6) by the act of October 21, 1988 (P.L.844, No.112), entitled "An act amending Titles 24 (Education) and 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, to include certain Federal service as nonstate service; further providing for special early retirement; providing for further supplemented annuities and for certain optional benefits; and further providing for compensation of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board," only to the extent that annuitants who were active members of the system on or after January 1, 1989, shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be eligible to purchase creditable nonschool service for service in the Cadet Nurse Corps, provided, however, that contributions by eligible annuitants on account of Class T-C credit for creditable nonschool service for service in the Cadet Nurse Corps shall be determined by applying the member's basic contribution rate plus the normal contribution rate as provided in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8328 at the time of the member's entry into school service subsequent to such creditable Cadet Nurse Corps service and multiplying the product by the number of years and fractional part of a year of creditable nonschool service being purchased together with statutory interest during all periods of subsequent school or State service, and time since most recent termination of school or State service to the date of purchase, and further provided that the purchased nonschool credit shall not be included in the calculation or payment of benefits for any period of time prior to the date of purchase.
§ 32. Reversion of health insurance program funds.
If the health insurance program established under this act is canceled by statute, any remaining funds shall revert to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund.
1994, APRIL 29, P.L.159, NO.29
§ 14. Authorized investments of Public School Employees' Retirement Board and State Employees' Retirement Board.
Any and all investments of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board and of the State Employees' Retirement Board, respectively, which on the effective date of this section are owned or held through a vehicle as described in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8521(i) or 71 Pa.C.S. § 5931(i), as applicable, shall be deemed to have been lawfully made through such vehicle at inception.
Explanatory Note. Act 29 amended, added or repealed sections 8102, 8103, 8302, 8307, 8312, 8326, 8327, 8328, 8329, 8344, 8345, 8346, 8348.3, 8502, 8505, 8507, 8508, 8509, 8521, 8533, 8533.1, 8533.2, 8533.3, 8533.4 and 8535 of Title 24 and sections 5102, 5304, 5308, 5308.1, 5505, 5508, 5704, 5705, 5706, 5708.3, 5901, 5902, 5905, 5907, 5908, 5931, 5953, 5953.1, 5953.2, 5953.3, 5953.4 and 5955.1 of Title 71.
§ 16. Contractual rights of alternate payees.
Nothing in this act shall be construed to grant any alternate payees any contractual rights, either express or implied, in the terms or conditions of either the Public School Employees' Retirement System or the State Employees' Retirement System, including, but not limited to, benefits, options, rights or privileges, established by either 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV.
§ 17. Contractual rights of alternate payees and members.
Nothing in this act shall be construed to grant any alternate payees or members of either the Public School Employees' Retirement System or the State Employees' Retirement System any contractual rights, either express or implied, in the provisions of this act pertaining to alternate payees and domestic relations orders.
§ 18. Applicability to 1995-1996 and succeeding school years.
The amendment or addition of 24 Pa.C.S. §§ 8326, 8327, 8329 and 8535 shall apply to the 1995-1996 school year and to each school year thereafter. The revised contributions as provided for in these sections shall apply to all active members whose effective date of employment is after June 30, 1994.
§ 19. Liability for additional benefits.
The liability for additional benefits created by 24 Pa.C.S. § 8312 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5308.1 shall be funded over a period of 20 years, commencing July 1, 1994.
§ 20. Applicability of provisions relating to termination of annuities (Repealed).
1995 Repeal. Section 20 was repealed December 20, 1995, P.L.689, No.77, effective immediately.
§ 24. Effective date and funding of accrued liability.
The amendment or addition of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706(b) and (c) shall take effect July 1, 1994, or immediately, whichever is later. Notwithstanding 24 Pa.C.S. § 8328(c) and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5508(c), the accrued liability created by the amendment or addition of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706(b) and (c) shall be funded in annual installments increasing by 5% each year over a period of 20 years beginning July 1, 1995. Notwithstanding 24 Pa.C.S. § 8328(b) and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5508(b), the normal contribution rate and employer normal contribution rate for the period from the effective date of section 26 of this act to June 30, 1995, shall be calculated as if the amendment of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706(b) and the addition of 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706(c) did not occur. Any normal contributions and employer normal contributions which would have been paid for the period from the effective date of section 26 of this act to June 30, 1995, but for this section, shall be funded in annual installments increasing by 5% each year over a period of 20 years beginning July 1, 1995.
1995, DECEMBER 20, P.L.689, NO.77
§ 9. Construction and administration of school employees' provisions.
This act shall be construed and administered in such manner that the Public School Employees' Retirement System will satisfy the requirements necessary to qualify as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a)(8), (a)(17) and (a)(25) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.). The rules, regulations and procedures adopted and promulgated by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board under 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(h) shall include those necessary to accomplish the purpose of this section.
Effective Date. Section 16(2) of Act 77 provided that section 9 shall take effect in 60 days with respect to the duties of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board in regard to the adoption and promulgation of rules, regulations and computational procedures by such board but in all other respects shall be deemed declaratory of the intent of the General Assembly upon the original enactment of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV and to have been in effect from the date of enactment of such part.
Explanatory Note. Act 77 amended or added sections 8102, 8302, 8321, 8322, 8322.1, 8325.1, 8327, 8346, 8502, 8503, 8506, 8521 and 8533 of Title 24 and sections 5102, 5302, 5501, 5502, 5503, 5503.1, 5506.1, 5706, 5902, 5903, 5906, 5931 and 5953 of Title 71.
§ 11. References to Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Except as may be otherwise specifically provided, references in this act to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), including for this purpose administrative regulations promulgated thereunder, are intended to include such laws and regulations as in effect on the effective date of this section and as they may hereafter be amended or supplemented or supplanted by successor provisions.
§ 13. Qualified pension plans and termination of annuities.
(a) School employees.--Nothing in this act which amends or supplements provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV in relation to requirements for qualification of the Public School Employees' Retirement System as a qualified pension plan under 26 U.S.C. § 401(a), nor any construction of such provisions as so amended or supplemented or any rules or regulations adopted under such part, shall create in any member of the system or in any other person claiming an interest in the account of any such member a contractual right, either express or implied, in such provisions. Such provisions shall remain subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations thereunder as the same may hereafter be amended, and the General Assembly reserves to itself such further exercise of its legislative power to amend or supplement such provisions as may from time to time be required in order to maintain the qualification of such system as a qualified pension plan under 26 U.S.C. § 401(a).
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(c) Applicability of provisions relating to termination of annuities.--In relation to the amendments of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706 the following shall apply:
(1) Nothing in the amendments of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706 shall be deemed to permit the restoration of service credit or retirement benefits which were the subject of an order of forfeiture pursuant to the act of July 8, 1978 (P.L.752, No.140), known as the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act.
(2) Former annuitants who have the effect of frozen present value eliminated pursuant to 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346(d)(2) and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706(c)(2) do so with the specific understanding that they accept the terms and conditions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV and 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV as they are upon their most recent return to school service or State service as the case may be and do not retain any contractual rights to terms and conditions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV and 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV, including, but not limited to, benefit formulas, accrual rates and eligibility, contribution rates, definitions, purchase of creditable school, nonschool, State and non-State provisions and actuarial and funding assumptions or provisions arising from any period of employment prior to their final period of employment.
(3) The amendments of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706 shall apply to former annuitants of the State Employees' Retirement System, and former annuitants of the Public School Employees' Retirement System, who have elected multiple service and who are:
(i) inactive members on leave or active members of the State Employees' Retirement System;
(ii) annuitants who were inactive members on leave or active members of the State Employees' Retirement System on or after July 1, 1994, who terminated State service before the effective date of this act; or
(iii) who terminated their most recent period of State service prior to the effective date of this act but have not yet elected to apply for an annuity; and
who have earned at least three eligibility points due to the performance of State service, or if a member who has elected multiple service at least three eligibility points due to the performance of State service or school service, since the most recent period of annuity.
(4) The amendments of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346 and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5706 shall apply to former annuitants of the Public School Employees' Retirement System, and former annuitants of the State Employees' Retirement System, who have elected multiple service and who are:
(i) inactive members on leave or active members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System;
(ii) annuitants who were inactive members on leave or active members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System on or after July 1, 1994, who terminated school service before the effective date of this act; or
(iii) who terminated their most recent period of school service prior to the effective date of this act but have not yet elected to apply for an annuity; and
who have earned at least three eligibility points due to the performance of school service, or if a member who has elected multiple service at least three eligibility points due to the performance of State service or school service, since their most recent period of annuity.
§ 14. Applicability of other law.
The provisions of section 7 of the act of July 9, 1981 (P.L.208, No.66), known as the Public Employee Retirement Commission Act, shall not apply to this act.
2001, MAY 17, P.L.26, NO.9
§ 1. Legislative intent.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) This act contains both benefit and administrative pension changes. The benefit changes include an enhancement to the basic benefit formula, a reduction in the vesting requirement, the addition of a new class of benefits for legislators and a change to the current arrangement by which members can combine service credit with both the State Employees' Retirement System and the Public School Employees' Retirement System.
(2) Over the past two decades, both pension funds have experienced investment returns well in excess of expectations. As a result, State and school district contributions have decreased dramatically to less than 1% of payroll for next year. At the same time, employee contributions range from 5% to 6.25% of payroll. The outstanding investment performance has resulted in the pension funds being over 123% funded, compared to current needs. The 4% statutory interest rate the employees receive on their pension accounts has consistently been eclipsed by the actual average returns of the funds over the last two decades and also has been less than available private market interest rates. The fact that employees have been and are projected to continue to contribute at a rate that is materially greater than the employers due to the more than 100% funded status of the plans raises the issue of the extent to which employees should be provided additional benefits. The increase in benefits for State and school employees provided herein will in effect allow them for the first time to share in the outstanding investment performance of the funds. To date, that experience has only benefited the employers through reduced contributions to the funds. Even with the increases in benefits provided herein, both pension funds are projected to maintain minimal employer contribution rates and at the same time maintain a fully funded status. For at least the next decade, members are projected to continue to contribute at a rate substantially in excess of that required from the employers.
(3) A major change in the manner in which benefits are funded is warranted. Currently, gains or losses related to the funding for benefits are spread over a 20-year time frame. Under this proposed change, these gains or losses will now be spread over a shorter time frame, that being ten years, increasing intergenerational equity by reducing the time elapsed between the service of the members of the systems and the related funding. A similar policy was enacted in 1991 when 30-year funding for the two funds was reduced to 20-year funding.
(4) Participation in the enhanced benefit accrual rate should not be mandatory for current members. Members who elect to participate should have to agree, as provided herein, to increase employee contributions as consideration for their future receipt of enhanced benefits after the termination of service.
(5) The approach set out heretofore was cited as reasonable public pension policy by the Public Employee Retirement Commission in a report released on May 7 of this year. As the commission further noted, certain provisions herein will result in the systems being more closely aligned with similar plans in the private sector and further strengthen the systems' positions relative to Internal Revenue Code compliance.
Explanatory Note. Act 9 amended, added or deleted sections 8102, 8302, 8303, 8304, 8305, 8305.1, 8306, 8307, 8308, 8321, 8323, 8324, 8325, 8327, 8328, 8342, 8344, 8345, 8346, 8348.1, 8348.2, 8348.3, 8348.5, 8501, 8502, 8502.1, 8502.2, 8503, 8504, 8505, 8506, 8507, 8509, 8521 and 8525 and Part V of Title 24 and sections 5102, 5302, 5303, 5304, 5305, 5305.1, 5306, 5306.1, 5306.2, 5307, 5308, 5309, 5501, 5502, 5502.1, 5504, 5505, 5506, 5507, 5508, 5702, 5704, 5705, 5706, 5707, 5708.1, 5708.2, 5708.3, 5708.5, 5901, 5902, 5903, 5904, 5905, 5906, 5931, 5937 and 5938 of Title 71.
§ 22. Calculation of return to service days.
(a) School employees.--Service performed by a member of the Public School Employees' Retirement System prior to December 31, 2001, shall not be included when calculating the 95 days an annuitant may return to service under 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346(b).
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§ 23. Effect on current members of limitation on benefits (Repealed).
2015 Repeal. Section 23 was repealed December 28, 2015, P.L.529, No.93, effective immediately.
§ 24. Authorized investments.
Any and all investments of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board and the State Employees' Retirement Board which on the effective date of this section are owned or held through a vehicle as described in 24 Pa.C.S § 8521(i) or 71 Pa.C.S § 5931(i), as applicable, shall be deemed to have been lawfully made through such vehicle at inception.
§ 25. Notice of impaired authority over health insurance.
If the Public School Employees' Retirement Board determines that its authority over health insurance is impaired because of judicial decision relating to 24 Pa.C.S. Part V which has become final, the board shall transmit notice of its determination to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
§ 26. References to Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Except as may be otherwise specifically provided, references in this act to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), including for this purpose administrative regulations promulgated thereunder, are intended to include such laws and regulations in effect on the effective date of this section and as they may hereafter be amended or supplemented or supplanted by successor provisions.
§ 27. Statements or estimates of benefits.
(a) School employees.--Notwithstanding the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8503(b), the statement for each member prepared by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the periods ending June 30, 2001, and June 30, 2002, and any other statements or estimates of benefits prepared by the board pursuant to the Public School Employees' Retirement Code from the effective date of this section to June 30, 2002, need not reflect provisions of this act.
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§ 28. Obligation to make payments within specified time periods.
(a) Public School Employees' Retirement System.--Notwithstanding the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV, the obligation of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board to make payments within specified time periods of the receipt of applications for benefits or other information shall not apply from the effective date of this section to July 2, 2002.
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§ 29. Election of multiple service membership in Public School Employees' Retirement System.
Notwithstanding the limitation contained in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8507(c), any active member of the Public School Employees' Retirement System who was formerly an active member in the State Employees' Retirement System and whose service credit in the State Employees' Retirement System has not been converted to service credited in another public pension plan or retirement system in this Commonwealth may elect to become a multiple service member on or before December 31, 2003.
§ 31. Recertification to Budget Secretary and employers.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Public School Employees' Retirement Board shall, effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2001, recertify to the Secretary of the Budget and the employers, within 15 days of the effective date of this section, the contributions, rates, factors and amounts set forth in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(k) to reflect the impact of the amendment of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8509(b). The board's recertification shall reflect all changes in the contributions, rates and amounts previously certified by the board prior to the effective date of this section for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2001, required to comply with 24 Pa.C.S. § 8328, caused by the amendment of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8509(b). This recertification shall supersede the prior certification for all purposes.
§ 32. Funding liability for additional benefits.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the liability for any additional benefits established by this act shall be funded in equal dollar annual payments over a period of ten years commencing July 1, 2002.
§ 33. Requirements for qualification as qualified pension plan.
(a) School employees.--Nothing in this act which amends or supplements provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV in relation to requirements for qualification of the Public School Employees' Retirement System as a qualified pension plan under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. §§ 401(a) or 415(b)), as amended, nor any construction of such provisions as so amended or supplemented or any rules or regulations adopted under such part shall create in any member of the system or in any other person claiming an interest in the account of any member a contractual right, either express or implied, in such provision. Such provision shall remain subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations thereunder as the same may hereafter be amended, and the General Assembly reserves to itself such further exercise of its legislative power to amend or supplement such provisions as may from time to time be required to maintain the qualification of such system as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
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§ 34. Applicability of limitations on benefits.
(a) School employees.--Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to imply that, but for the expressed applications of the limitations on benefits under section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 415), as amended, those limitations would not otherwise apply to members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System and the benefits payable pursuant to 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV.
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§ 35. Construction and administration of act.
(a) Public School Employees' Retirement System.--Except as provided in section 23(a), this act shall be construed and administered in such manner that the Public School Employees' Retirement System will satisfy the requirements necessary to qualify as a qualified pension plan under section 415(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 415(b)).
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§ 36. Severability.
Severability of this act shall be as follows:
(1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), if any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
(2) If any of the following provisions of this act is held invalid, independent of its application to any person or circumstance, all of the following provisions of this act are void:
(i) The amendment of the definitions of "basic contribution rate," "class of service multiplier," "standard single life annuity" and "superannuation or normal retirement age" in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8102.
(ii) The amendment or addition of 24 Pa.C.S. §§ 8303; 8304; 8305 except for subsection (c)(4)(ii); 8305.1; 8323(a), (c) and (c.1); 8328; 8346(d)(2)(i); 8348.1; 8348.2; 8348.3; 8348.5; and 8525.
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§ 36.1. Applicability of amendment to Public School Employees' Retirement System members.
The amendment of the definition of "vestee" in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8102 and 24 Pa.C.S. §§ 8307, 8308, 8345(a) and 8507(g) shall apply to all members of the School Employees' Retirement System who are active or inactive on leave without pay on the effective date of this section and to any former school employee who is a multiple service member, is a State employee and is a member of the State Employees' Retirement System on the effective date of this section.
§ 38. Elections to change member classification.
(a) Class T-D members.--Elections to become a Class T-D member may be filed with the Public School Employees' Retirement Board before July 1, 2001, but will not be effective until July 1, 2001, and will be effective only if the member is eligible to make the election on July 1, 2001.
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2002, APRIL 23, P.L.272, NO.38
§ 18. Recertification to Budget Secretary and employers.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Public School Employees' Retirement Board shall, effective for fiscal year July 1, 2002, recertify to the Secretary of the Budget and the employers, within ten days of the effective date of this section, the contributions, rates, factors and amounts set forth in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(k) to reflect the impact of the amendments contained in this act. The board's recertification shall reflect all changes in the contributions, rates and amounts previously certified by the board prior to the effective date of this section for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002, required to comply with 24 Pa.C.S. § 8328 caused by the amendments contained in this act, provided that the total contribution rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002, shall not exceed 1.15%. This recertification shall supersede the prior certification for all purposes.
Explanatory Note. Act 38 amended or added sections 8304, 8305.1, 8328, 8346, 8348.6, 8348.7, 8349 and 8525 of Title 24.
§ 19. School real estate tax millage rate.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the tax year beginning July 1, 2002, all school entities shall base that portion of their school real estate tax millage rate attributable to funding the employer contribution rate required under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV on the employer contribution rate recertified pursuant to this act. To the extent that a school entity's school real estate tax millage for the tax year beginning July 1, 2002, already includes an increase to fund the previously certified employer contribution rate of 5.64% for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002, then the school entity shall reduce its school real estate tax millage to reflect, dollar for dollar, the savings generated by the recertificiation of the employer contribution rate required by this act, but not more than the actual increase to fund the previously certified employer contribution rate of 5.64% for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002.
§ 20. Calculation of actuarial value.
The Public School Employees' Retirement System shall recognize for purposes of calculating the actuarial value of the system's assets, and to the extent not previously recognized, any realized and unrealized gains and losses for fiscal years 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 in calculating the rates for fiscal year 2002-2003 pursuant to 24 Pa.C.S. § 8328. The five-year smoothing method referenced in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8328(c), relating to recognizing the difference between the actual investment return and the actuarially expected investment return, shall commence with fiscal year 2000-2001 and shall be reflected in calculating the rates for fiscal year 2002-2003.
§ 25. Transfers from Public School Employees' Retirement System.
Contributions and other money transferred from the Public School Employees' Retirement System to the State Employees' Retirement System shall retain the same attributes for Federal, State and local tax laws to the extent allowed by law.
§ 26. Legislative intent.
It is the expressed intention of the General Assembly that this act is to provide credit in the State Employees' Retirement System for service credited in the Public School Employees' Retirement System that was not transferred to the State Employees' Retirement System or converted to State service or nonstate service by section 913-B of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929. Service converted or transferred pursuant to section 913-B of that act shall not be creditable in the State Employees' Retirement System more than once and shall not be creditable as State service or nonstate service under this act. Service claimed to be creditable in the State Employees' Retirement System by former employees of the Department of Education that were transferred to the Department of Corrections by section 913-B of that act and that has been denied by the State Employees' Retirement System shall be creditable to the extent allowed by this act, as interpreted by the State Employees' Retirement Board, but to the extent claimed and creditable under this act shall result in a waiver of claims for credit under section 913-B of that act.
2006, NOVEMBER 9, P.L.1371, NO.148
§ 3. Authority of Auditor General.
Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to affect the authority of the Auditor General to obtain copies of any record, material or data described in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(e)(2) in connection with a lawfully conducted audit.
Explanatory Note. Act 148 amended sections 8102 and 8502 of Title 24.
§ 4. Construction of law.
Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to imply that the release or making public of any record, material or data described in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(e)(2) as not being a public record is a violation of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board's fiduciary duties.
§ 5. Application of law.
This act shall apply to any record, material or data described in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(e)(2), without regard to whether the record, material or data was created, generated or stored before the effective date of this section, without regard to whether the record, material or data was previously released or made public and without regard to whether a request for the record, material or data was made or is pending final response under the act of June 21, 1957 (P.L.390, No.212), referred to as the Right-to-Know Law.
References in Text. The act of June 21, 1957 (P.L.390, No.212), referred to as the Right-to-Know Law, referred to in this section, was repealed by the act of Feb. 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law.
§ 6. Fees.
In the event that the Public School Employees' Retirement System has collected a fee or other monetary charge for the preparation, duplication, production, redaction or other expenses associated with the inspection or provision of a record, material or data that as a result of the amendment of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(e) will not be made available for inspection by and will not be provided to the requester who made the payment, the Public School Employees' Retirement System shall return the fee or money to the requester.
2010, NOVEMBER 23, P.L.1269, NO.120
§ 12. Continuation of contribution rates.
Contribution rates shall remain in effect until June 30, 2010, as follows:
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this act, the employer contribution rates certified by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for fiscal year 2009-2010 shall remain in effect until June 30, 2010.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this act, the employer contribution rates certified by the State Employees' Retirement Board for fiscal year 2009-2010 shall remain in effect until June 30, 2010.
Explanatory Note. Act 120 amended or added sections 8102, 8301, 8303, 8304, 8305, 8305.2, 8307, 8308, 8321, 8323, 8324, 8326, 8327, 8328, 8342, 8344, 8345, 8348.1, 8348.2, 8348.3, 8348.5, 8348.6, 8348.7, 8502, 8505, 8507, 8535 and 8536 of Title 24 and Part V and sections 5102, 5302, 5303, 5304, 5306, 5306.3, 5308, 5309, 5501.1, 5501.2, 5502.1, 5503.1, 5504, 5505, 5507, 5508, 5702, 5704, 5705, 5705.1, 5708.1, 5708.2, 5708.3, 5708.5, 5708.6, 5708.7, 5708.8, 5902, 5903, 5905, 5905.1, 5907, 5933, 5934, 5936, 5937, 5938, 5955 and 5957 of Title 71.
§ 13. Applicability to pension obligation bonds.
The following apply to pension obligation bonds:
(1) No executive agency or independent agency may issue a pension obligation bond for the benefit of:
(i) the Public School Employees' Retirement System of Pennsylvania; or
(ii) the State Employees' Retirement System of Pennsylvania.
(2) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this paragraph unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Executive agency." As defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103 (relating to definitions).
"Independent agency." As defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103.
§ 14. Certain public officials held harmless.
Certain public officials shall be held harmless, as follows:
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, fiduciary requirement, actuarial standard of practice or other requirement to the contrary, the members of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board, the actuary and other employees and officials of the Public School Employees' Retirement System shall not be held liable or in breach or violation of any law or standard either as individuals or in their official capacity or as a governmental or corporate entity for any action or calculation related to calculating and certifying a final contribution rate as provided for in this act that is different from the actuarially required contribution rate as otherwise appropriately calculated under the provisions of the Public School Employees' Retirement Code.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, fiduciary requirement, actuarial standard of practice or other requirement to the contrary, the members of the State Employees' Retirement Board, the actuary and other employees and officials of the State Employees' Retirement System shall not be held liable or in breach or violation of any law or standard either as individuals or in their official capacity or as a governmental or corporate entity for any action or calculation related to calculating and certifying a final contribution rate as provided for in this act that is different from the actuarially required contribution rate as otherwise appropriately calculated under the provisions of the State Employees' Retirement Code.
§ 15. Construction of calculation or actuarial method.
Construction of a calculation or actuarial method shall be as follows:
(1) Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to imply that any calculation or actuarial method used by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board, its actuaries or the Public School Employees' Retirement System was not in accordance with the provisions of the Public School Employees' Retirement Code or other applicable law prior to the effective date of this section.
(2) Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to imply that any calculation or actuarial method used by the State Employees' Retirement Board, its actuaries or the State Employees' Retirement System was not in accordance with the provisions of the State Employees' Retirement Code or other applicable law prior to the effective date of this section.
§ 16. Restoration of service credit or retirement benefits.
Nothing in this act shall be deemed to permit the restoration of service credit or retirement benefits which were the subject of an order of forfeiture pursuant to the act of July 8, 1978 (P.L.752, No.140), known as the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act, or subject to section 16 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania or 42 Pa.C.S. § 3352.
§ 17. Effect of Act 120 on Part IV.
Except for 24 Pa.C.S. § 8303(d), nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to imply that any interpretation or application of the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or benefits available to members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System was not in accordance with the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or other applicable law prior to the effective date of this section. It is the express intent of the General Assembly that nothing in this act shall be construed to grant to or be deemed to imply that this act expands, contracts or otherwise affects any contractual rights, either expressed or implied, or any other constitutionally protected rights, in the terms and conditions of the Public School Employees' Retirement System or other pension or retirement benefits as a school employee, including, but not limited to, benefits, options, rights or privileges established by 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV for any current or former school employees.
§ 18. Construction and administration of Act 120.
This act shall be construed and administered in such a manner that the Public School Employees' Retirement System will satisfy the requirements necessary to qualify as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.). The rules, regulations and procedures adopted and promulgated by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board under 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(h) may include those necessary to accomplish the purpose of this section.
§ 19. Qualification of Public School Employees' Retirement System under Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(a) General provisions.--Nothing in this act which amends or supplements provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall create in any member of the system or in any other person claiming an interest in the account of any such member a contractual right, either express or implied, in relation to requirements for qualification of the Public School Employees' Retirement System as a qualified pension plan under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)) nor any construction of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV, as so amended or supplemented, or any rules or regulations adopted under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV. The provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall remain subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the General Assembly reserves to itself such further exercise of its legislative power to amend or supplement such provisions as may from time to time be required in order to maintain the qualification of such system as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(b) References to Internal Revenue Code of 1986.--References in this act to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including for this purpose administrative regulations promulgated thereunder, are intended to include such laws and regulations in effect on the effective date of this section and as they may hereafter be amended or supplemented or supplanted by successor provisions.
§ 20. Class T-E or Class T-F membership limited.
No school employee otherwise a member of, eligible to be a member of, or having school or nonschool service credited in a class of service other than Class T-E or Class T-F may cancel, decline or waive membership in such other class of service in order to obtain Class T-E or Class T-F service credit, become a member of Class T-E or Class T-F or elect Class T-E or Class T-F membership.
§ 21. Changes in accrued liability of Public School Employees' Retirement System.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any change in accrued liability of the Public School Employees' Retirement System created by this act shall be funded as a level percentage of compensation over a period of 24 years beginning July 1, 2011, subject to any limits imposed on employer contributions to the Public School Employees' Retirement System. For purposes of 24 Pa.C.S. §§ 8321, 8326 and 8328, such changes shall not be considered to be costs added by legislation.
§ 22. Determination of Class T-E or Class T-F service credit.
Notwithstanding any regulation promulgated by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board, application or interpretation of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV, or administrative practice to the contrary, a member's eligibility deriving from Class T-E or Class T-F service credit for a superannuation annuity or other rights and benefits based upon attaining superannuation age shall be determined by including only those eligibility points actually accrued.
2012, NOVEMBER 1, P.L.1683, NO.210
§ 2. Continuation of prior law.
The addition of 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 93 is a continuation of the act of June 14, 1961 (P.L.324, No.188), known as The Library Code. The following apply:
(1) Activities initiated under The Library Code shall continue and remain in full force and effect and may be completed under 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 93.
(2) A resolution, order, regulation, rule or decision made under The Library Code and in effect on the effective date of this section shall remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 93.
(3) A contract, obligation or agreement entered into under The Library Code shall not be affected or impaired by the repeal of The Library Code.
(4) Except where specifically commented upon in the report of the Joint State Government Commission, entitled "The Pennsylvania Public Library Code: Findings and Recommendations" (December 2010), any difference in language between 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 93 and The Library Code is intended only to conform to the style of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to change or affect the legislative intent, judicial construction or administration and implementation of The Library Code.
(5) The provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. § 9312 that relate to the composition of the advisory council and require a different composition from that required under The Library Code are not intended to affect the existing membership of the advisory council. As the terms of the existing advisory council members expire, the following shall apply:
(i) The appointment of new members shall conform with the requirements of 24 Pa.C.S. § 9312.
(ii) Until the distribution of membership under 24 Pa.C.S. § 9312 has been met, if a vacancy occurs in the membership of the advisory council after the effective date of this section and the vacated position was held by a layperson, the position shall be filled by a professional librarian until the distribution of membership under 24 Pa.C.S. § 9312 has been met.
Explanatory Note. Act 210 added Part VI of Title 24.
2013, JULY 1, P.L.174, NO.32
§ 13. Applicability.
This act shall apply as follows:
(1) (i) Except as provided under subparagraph (ii), the amendment of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall apply to leaves of absence, military leaves of absence and leaves pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Ch. 43 that are granted on or after the effective date of this section.
(ii) If a member died performing uniformed service under 38 U.S.C. Ch. 43, the amendment of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall apply to leaves of absence, military leaves of absence and leaves pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Ch. 43 that were granted on or after December 31, 2006.
(2) The amendment or addition of 51 Pa.C.S. § 7306(a) and (e) shall apply to leaves of absence or military leaves of absence that are granted on or after the effective date of this section.
Explanatory Note. Act 32 amended sections 8102, 8302, 8303, 8304, 8305.2, 8306, 8325, 8326, 8346, 8347, 8502, 8505, 8506 and 8507 of Title 24 and section 7306 of Title 51.
§ 14. Member statements.
Notwithstanding the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8503(b), the statement for each member prepared by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the period ending June 30, 2013, and any other statements or estimates of benefits prepared by the board under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV from the effective date of this section to June 30, 2014, shall not be required to reflect the provisions of this act.
§ 15. Payments.
Notwithstanding the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV, the obligation of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board to make payments to any individual whose rights, benefits and obligations are affected by this act within specified time periods of the receipt of applications for benefits or other information shall not apply from the effective date of this section to June 30, 2014.
§ 16. Authority of board.
The board shall have the authority to:
(1) Implement the requirements of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV pertaining to school employees on USERRA leave or who have been granted a leave of absence under 51 Pa.C.S. § 4102, a leave of absence under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or a military leave of absence under 51 Pa.C.S. § 7302.
(2) Establish administrative, reporting and payment requirements and processes pertaining to the leaves applicable to employers and members.
§ 17. Restoration of service credit or retirement benefits.
Nothing under this act shall be deemed to permit the restoration of service credit or retirement benefits which were or are subject to 42 Pa.C.S. § 3352 or the subject of an order of forfeiture pursuant to the act of July 8, 1978 (P.L.752, No.140), known as the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act.
§ 18. Effect of Act 32 on Part IV.
Nothing under this act shall be construed or deemed to imply that any interpretation or application of the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or benefits available to members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System was not in accordance with the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or other applicable law, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.) prior to the effective date of this section. It is the express intent of the General Assembly that nothing under this act shall be construed to grant to or be deemed to imply that this act expands, contracts or otherwise affects any contractual rights, either expressed or implied, or any other constitutionally protected rights, in the terms and conditions of the Public School Employees' Retirement System or other pension or retirement benefits as a State employee, including, but not limited to, benefits, options, rights or privileges established by 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV for any current or former public school employees.
§ 19. Construction and administration of Act 32.
This act shall be construed and administered in such a manner that the Public School Employees' Retirement System will satisfy the requirements necessary to qualify as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.) and 38 U.S.C. Ch. 43. The rules, regulations and procedures adopted and promulgated by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board under 24 Pa.C.S. § 8502(h) may include those necessary to accomplish the purpose of this section.
§ 20. Qualifications under Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
The following shall apply:
(1) The amendment of 51 Pa.C.S. § 7306 or 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall not:
(i) Create in any member of the Public School Employees' Retirement System or in any other person claiming an interest in the account of any member a contractual right, either expressed or implied, in relation to requirements for qualification of the Public School Employees' Retirement System as a qualified pension plan under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).
(ii) Establish compliance with or affect any construction of:
(A) 38 U.S.C. Ch. 43.
(B) 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or any rules or regulations adopted under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV.
(2) The provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall remain subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the General Assembly reserves to itself the further exercise of its legislative power to amend or supplement the provisions as may be required in order to maintain the qualification of the system as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and 38 U.S.C. Ch. 43.
§ 21. References to Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
References in this act to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.) or 38 U.S.C. Ch. 43, including for this purpose administrative regulations promulgated under those acts, are intended to include laws and regulations in effect on the effective date of this section and as they may be amended or supplemented or supplanted by successor provisions after the effective date of this section.
2015, DECEMBER 28, P.L.529, NO.93
§ 24. References to Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
References in this act to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), including for this purpose administrative regulations promulgated thereunder, are intended to include such laws and regulations as are in effect on the effective date of this section and as they may be amended or supplemented or supplanted by successor provisions after the effective date of this section.
Explanatory Note. Act 93 amended or added sections 8102, 8103, 8103.1, 8302, 8304, 8307, 8308, 8310, 8321, 8322.1, 8341, 8342, 8344, 8345, 8346, 8347, 8349, 8503, 8505, 8506 and 8507 of Title 24 and sections 5102, 5302, 5304, 5305, 5308, 5309, 5309.1, 5311, 5501, 5502, 5502.1, 5504, 5505, 5506, 5701, 5702, 5704, 5705, 5706, 5707, 5709, 5903, 5905, 5906, 5907, 5953 and 5955.2 of Title 71.
§ 25. Requirements for qualification as qualified pension plan.
Nothing in this act that amends or supplements provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV in relation to requirements for qualification of the Public School Employees' Retirement System as a qualified pension plan under sections 401(a) and 415(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. §§ 401(a) and 415(b)) nor any construction of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV, as so amended or supplemented, or any rules or regulations adopted under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall create in any member of the system or in any other person claiming an interest in the account of any such member a contractual right, either express or implied nor in any construction of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV, as so amended or supplemented, or any rules or regulations adopted under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV. The provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall remain subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations thereunder as the same may hereafter be amended, and the General Assembly reserves to itself such further exercise of its legislative power to amend or supplement such provisions as may from time to time be required in order to maintain the qualification of such system as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
§ 26. Construction of law.
Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to imply that:
(1) But for the expressed applications of the limitations on benefits or other requirements under section 401(a) or applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 401), those limitations would not otherwise apply to members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System and the benefits payable pursuant to 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV.
(2) Any interpretation or application of the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or benefits available to members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System was not in accordance with the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or other applicable law prior to the effective date of this section.
§ 27. Applicability of law.
In addition to any other member of the Public School Employees' Retirement System to which this act shall apply, it is the expressed intention of the General Assembly that this act shall apply to all members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System who are active members and inactive members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System, and to any former school employee who is a multiple service member, is a State employee and is a member of the State Employees' Retirement System, without regard to class of service, State office or employment position or effective date of commencing State service or membership in the State Employees' Retirement System. Notwithstanding this section, the amendments to 24 Pa.C.S. § 8346(b.1) shall not apply to annuitants whose most recent return to school service occurred before the effective date of this section.
2017, JUNE 12, P.L.11, NO.5
§ 401. Applicability.
The following shall apply:
(1) The following provisions shall not create in a member of the Public School Employees' Retirement System, a participant in the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan or another person claiming an interest in the account of a member or participant an express or implied contractual right in the provisions nor in a construction of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV, 51 Pa.C.S. or rules or regulations adopted under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or 51 Pa.C.S.:
(i) A provision of this act which amends 51 Pa.C.S. or 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV in relation to requirements for any of the following:
(A) (Reserved).
(B) Qualification of the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan as a qualified pension plan under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. §§ 401(a) and 415(b)), or compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-353, 108 Stat. 3149).
(C) Domestic relations orders regarding alternate payees of participants in the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan.
(ii) A construction of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or 51 Pa.C.S. or rules or regulations adopted under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or 51 Pa.C.S. or a term or provision of the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan or School Employees' Defined Contribution Trust, established by statute or in the plan document or trust declaration or by contract with providers of investment and administrative services to the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan or the School Employees' Defined Contribution Trust.
(2) The provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV shall remain subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and regulations under those statutes, and the General Assembly reserves to itself the further exercise of its legislative power to amend or supplement the provisions as may be required in order to maintain the qualification of the Public School Employees' Retirement System and the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
(3) The following provisions shall not create in a member of the State Employees' Retirement System, a participant in the State Employees' Defined Contribution Plan or another person claiming an interest in the account of a member or participant an expressed or implied contractual right in the provisions nor in a construction of 51 Pa.C.S. § 7306, 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV, or rules or regulations adopted under 51 Pa.C.S. § 7306 or 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV:
(i) A provision of this act which amends 51 Pa.C.S. § 7306 or 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV, in relation to requirements for any of the following:
(A) Qualification of the State Employees' Defined Contribution Plan as a qualified pension plan under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)).
(B) Compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-353).
(C) Domestic relations orders regarding alternate payees of participants in the State Employees' Defined Contribution Plan.
(ii) A construction of 51 Pa.C.S. or 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV, or rules or regulation promulgated under 51 Pa.C.S. or 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV, or a term or provision of the State Employees' Defined Contribution Plan or State Employees' Defined Contribution Trust established by statute or in the plan document or trust declaration or by contract with providers of investment and administrative services to the State Employees' Defined Contribution Plan or State Employees' Defined Contribution Trust.
(4) The provisions of 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV shall remain subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and regulations promulgated under those statutes.
(5) The General Assembly reserves to itself the further exercise of its legislative power to amend or supplement the provisions of 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV in order to maintain the qualification of the State Employees' Retirement System and the State Employees' Defined Contribution Plan as qualified pension plans under section 401(a) and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
Explanatory Note. Act 5 amended or added sections 8102, 8103, 8103.2, 8301, 8302, 8303, 8304, 8305, 8305.3, 8305.4, 8305.5, 8306, 8307, 8308, 8310, 8321, 8322.1, 8323, 8324, 8325.1, 8326, 8327, 8328, 8330, 8341, 8342, 8344, 8345, 8346, 8347 and 8349, Chapter 84 and sections 8501, 8502, 8502.2, 8503, 8505, 8506, 8507, 8521, 8522, 8524, 8525, 8531, 8533, 8533.1, 8533.2, 8533.3, 8533.4, 8533.5, 8534, 8535, 8535.1, 8537, 8538, 8702 of Title 24, section 7306 of Title 51 and sections 5102, 5103, 5104, 5301, 5302, 5303, 5303.2, 5304, 5305, 5305.1, 5306, 5306.1, 5306.2, 5306.3, 5306.4, 5306.5, 5307, 5308, 5308.1, 5309, 5310, 5311, 5501.1, 5502, 5503.1, 5504, 5505, 5506.1, 5507, 5508, 5509, 5701, 5701.1, 5702, 5704, 5705, 5705.1, 5706, 5707 and 5709, Chapter 58 and sections 5901, 5902, 5903, 5904, 5905, 5905.1, 5906, 5907, 5931, 5932, 5933, 5934, 5935, 5936, 5937, 5938, 5939, 5951, 5953, 5953.1, 5953.2, 5953.3, 5953.4, 5953.6, 5954, 5955, 5955.2, 5957 and 5958 of Title 71.
§ 402. Construction of calculation or actuarial method.
The following shall apply:
(1) Nothing in this act shall be construed to mean that a calculation or actuarial method used by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board, its actuaries or the Public School Employees' Retirement System was not in accordance with the provisions of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or other applicable law prior to the effective date of this paragraph.
(2) Nothing in this act shall be construed to mean that a calculation or actuarial method used by the State Employees' Retirement Board, its actuaries or the State Employees' Retirement System was not in accordance with the provisions of 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV or other applicable law prior to the effective date of this section.
§ 405. Construction and administration of Act 5.
The following shall apply:
(1) This act shall be construed and administered in such a manner that the Public School Employees' Retirement System and the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan shall satisfy the requirements necessary to qualify as a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)), other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-353, 108 Stat. 3149). The rules, regulations and procedures adopted and promulgated by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board and the terms and conditions of the plan document and trust declaration adopted by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board may include provisions necessary to accomplish the purpose of this section.
(2) Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to imply that any member shall be required to make contributions to the Public School Employees' Retirement System in excess of the limits established by section 415(n)(3)(A)(iii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 415(n)(3)(A)(iii)). A contribution made by a member that is determined to be in excess of the limits shall be refunded to the member in a lump sum subject to withholding for all applicable taxes and penalties as soon as administratively possible after the determination is made. A refund under this subparagraph shall not affect the benefit payable to the member and shall not be treated as or deemed to be a withdrawal of the member's accumulated deductions.
(3) Nothing in this act shall be construed to mean that an interpretation or application of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or benefits available to members of the Public School Employees' Retirement System was not in accordance with 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV or other applicable law, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act before the effective date of this section.
§ 408. Restoration of service credit or retirement benefits.
Nothing in this act shall be deemed to permit the restoration of service credit or retirement benefits that:
(1) were or are subject to section 16 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania or 42 Pa.C.S. § 3352; or
(2) were or are the subject of an order of forfeiture under the act of July 8, 1978 (P.L.752, No.140), known as the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act.
§ 409. Authority of Governor's Office of General Counsel.
Notwithstanding the amendment of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8501(e) and 71 Pa.C.S. § 5901(e), the Governor's Office of General Counsel shall continue to provide legal counsel and legal services to the Public School Employees' Retirement Board and the State Employees' Retirement Board until such time as each board appoints a chief counsel and such other counsel as it deems necessary to provide it with legal services and through its secretary gives such notice to the General Counsel.
§ 410. Class T-G membership limited.
No school employee otherwise a member of, eligible to be a member of, or having school or nonschool service credited in a class of service other than Class T-G may cancel, decline or waive membership in such other class of service in order to obtain Class T-G service credit, become a member of Class T-G or elect Class T-G membership.
§ 412. Determination of Class T-G or Class T-H service credit.
Notwithstanding any regulation promulgated by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board, application or interpretation of 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV, or administrative practice to the contrary, a member's eligibility deriving from Class T-G or Class T-H service credit for a superannuation annuity or other rights and benefits based upon attaining superannuation age shall be determined by including only those eligibility points actually accrued.
§ 416. Appointment of Secretary of Banking and Securities.
The following shall apply:
(1) The appointment of the Secretary of Banking and Securities to the membership of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board in the amendment of 24 Pa.C.S. § 8501(a) shall take effect when the first of the two positions currently appointed by the Governor becomes vacant or an incumbent member's term expires. Notification of the expiration or vacancy shall be submitted by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(2) The appointment of the Secretary of Banking and Securities to the membership of the State Employees' Retirement Board and reduction of the number of members appointed by the Governor from six to five in 71 Pa.C.S. § 5901(a) shall take effect when the first of the six positions currently appointed by the Governor that is not held by an annuitant becomes vacant or an incumbent member's term expires. Notification of the expiration or vacancy shall be submitted by the State Employees' Retirement System to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
2019, JULY 2, P.L.434, NO.72
§ 6.2. Severability.
The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
Explanatory Note. Act 72 amended or added sections 8102, 8327, 8327.1, 8328, 8409 and 8501 and Subchapter D and section 8702 of Title 24 and sections 5102, 5306.4, 5310 and 5702 of Title 71.