3-12C-704. Determination of COLA payable.
The COLA payable is the baseline COLA or the restricted COLA, as applicable. The baseline COLA is equal to the increase in the consumer price index, but no less than zero percent and no greater than three and one-half percent. The restricted COLA is equal to the increase in the consumer price index, but no less than zero percent and no greater than the restricted COLA maximum as determined in subdivision (2) of this section. The board shall establish the COLA payable for each fiscal year, based on the fair value funded ratio and actuarially determined contribution rate of the system as of the prior July first and the increase in the consumer price index for the preceding third calendar quarter compared to the consumer price index for the third calendar quarter for the base year (the previous year in which the consumer price index was the highest), by utilizing one of the following subdivisions, as applicable:
(1)If the system meets the criteria in subdivisions 3-12C-228(1) and (2) based on the baseline COLA assumption adopted by the board, the COLA payable is the baseline COLA; or
(2)If the system does not meet the criteria in subdivisions 3-12C-228(1) and (2) based on the baseline COLA assumption adopted by the board, the system shall calculate a restricted COLA maximum in accordance with the board's funding policy that is equal to the actuarially determined annual COLA rate that results in the criteria in subdivisions 3-12C-228(1) and (2) being satisfied, if achievable. The COLA payable is the restricted COLA. If the criteria in subdivisions 3-12C-228(1) and (2) cannot be satisfied, the COLA payable is zero percent.
Source: SL 2019, ch 22, §23; SL 2021, ch 26, § 3.