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transcript
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
SYSTEM
THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN
SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION
September 1, 2010
RETIREMENT
GENERAL EMPLOYEES
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction...................................................................................................................................1-2
Legal Documents Creating the Retirement System.........................................................................2Official Name of the Retirement System.........................................................................................2
Type of Retirement System ..........................................................................................................3-4
Administration of the Retirement System ....................................................................................... 5
Fiscal Year.......................................................................................................................................5
Advisory Committee.....................................................................................................................5-6
Meeting Time for Board of Trustees and Advisory Committee......................................................6
Definitions ....................................................................................................................................6-7
Eligibility......................................................................................................................................7-8
Retirement System Funding ............................................................................................................ 8
Time Service Connection .............................................................................................................8-9
Retirement System Benefits .......................................................................................................9-10Separation from Service Before Vesting .......................................................................................11
Minimum Benefits.........................................................................................................................11
Refund of Contributions ...........................................................................................................11-12
Disability Benefits ....................................................................................................................12-14
Death Benefits ..........................................................................................................................14-15
BACKDROP and PLOP................................................................................................................16
Re-employment..............................................................................................................................17
Application for Benefits ................................................................................................................ 17
Forfeiture of Benefits.....................................................................................................................18
Alimony, Child Support, and Property Distributions ...............................................................18-19
Taxes..............................................................................................................................................19
Record Keeping ........................................................................................................................19-20
Collective Bargaining Agreement .................................................................................................20
Questions .......................................................................................................................................20
Summary...................................................................................................................................20-21
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INTRODUCTION
This document is intended to be a plain language summary of the administration and
benefits provided by the General Employees Defined Benefit Pension Plan (GEPP). The
defined benefit plan is designed to provide you with a lifetime of income once you retire. The
GEPP also provides disability and death benefits under certain circumstances. The GEPP uses a
formula to determine the benefit to be paid to you at retirement. The Board of Trustees
administers and manages the GEPP.
On the following pages you will find valuable information describing the main features of
the GEPP, including:
When you qualify for retirement;
How your pension is calculated and how it can be paid;
In the event of your death it provides benefits for your surviving spouse and minor
children, if any; and
Additional information that will help you plan ahead.
While efforts have been made by the Board of Trustees to provide an accurate summary,
this document is not the official plan document and your actual benefits are governed by the
appropriate provisions of the actual statutes and ordinances which create this Retirement System.
If there is any conflict between those legislative provisions and this Summary Plan Description,
the legislative provisions control. This Summary Plan Description is solely intended as a guide
to your benefits and is not intended to create a contract or promise of any specific benefit.
Nothing in this document is intended to nor does it create a contract for benefits greater than
provided by law. Any questions you have regarding your rights or benefits under this Plan
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should be directed to the Retirement Systems Administrator.
Beth Mangold, Administrator
City of Jacksonville Retirement System Administrative Office
Jake M. Godbold Building,
407 N. Laura Street, Suite 100Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-7280
Fax: (904) 588-0524
This Summary Plan Description explains how the Retirement System works and what it
can mean to you in your overall financial planning. Please read these materials carefully and
share them with your family.
WHAT ARE THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS
CREATING THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM?
The Retirement System arises out of Chapter 16 of the City Charter, Chapter 120 of
Ordinance Code of the City of Jacksonville, and Chapter 112, Part VII, Florida Statutes. The
City Charter and Code provisions are available for inspection at no cost through the free on-line
library at www.municode.com which is the website for company which prints the City Charter
and Code. The Florida Statutes are available on-line at the website for the Florida Legislature,
www.leg.state.fl.us . Copies are also available at the law library in the Duval County
Courthouse.
WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM?
The official name of the Retirement System is the City of Jacksonville Retirement
System. The Retirement System consists of two separate plans, administered by a common
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Board of Trustees. Your Retirement Plan is known as the City of Jacksonville General
Employees Pension Plan (GEPP).
WHAT TYPE OF RETIREMENT PLAN IS THIS?
Your retirement plan is referred to as a contributory defined benefit public employee
retirement plan. The Plan is established under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and
has been designated as a qualified plan by the Internal Revenue Service. Members make
contributions to the Plan by payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis and the retirement benefit is
calculated by a predetermined formula that produces a defined benefit over the life of the
member and the surviving spouse of the member. The formula utilizes the number of years of
service and takes into account the salary earned by the member. Since the benefits are
determined by a formula, no individual member accounts are maintained for the payment of
regular pension benefits and no amount is specifically set aside for each member except for the
accountability required of member contributions.
HOW IS THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM ADMINISTERED?
The Retirement System is administered by a nine (9) member Board of Trustees. The
Board is comprised of the following officers:
1. The Chief Administrative Officer of the City;2. The Chief Financial Officer;3. The Chief Human Resources Officer;4. The Chairperson of the General Employees Advisory Committee;5. The Chairperson of the Corrections Officers Advisory Committee;6. A retiree chosen by the Retired Employees Association;7. The Vice Chairperson of the Corrections Advisory Committee shall serve as a
trustee until 2014, at which time that office shall be filled by a retired corrections
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officer chosen from among the retirees of that Plan;
8. One citizen appointee with experience in banking and insurance; and9. Another citizen appointee with experience in banking and insurance.As the names of Board members change from time to time, the names of the current
Board members and contact information maybe obtained from the Pension Administrator.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for directing the investment of the assets of the
Retirement System to ensure that there will be adequate monies for future benefits. The
Retirement Systems money is invested by professional money managers whose performance is
monitored by investment professionals on a quarterly basis to ensure that the Retirement System
is receiving a proper return on the investment of pension assets.
The Retirement System employs professionals that advise the Board of Trustees
including: professional actuary who helps determine the cost of future benefits; accountants who
determine the proper allocation of monies; and an attorney with expertise in the area of public
pension law. With the assistance of these professionals, the Board of Trustees is responsible for
interpreting and applying the pension ordinance and for determining eligibility on all benefit
claims.
The Trustees receive no compensation for their service. The Trustees only receive
reimbursement for travel and for educational activities on behalf of the Retirement System. In
order to keep up on the latest trends in pension management, Trustees are expected to regularly
attend schools and seminars pertaining to the management of pension funds for public
employees.
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WHO ADMINISTERS THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM?
The Retirement System is administered by an Administrator, whose address is:
Beth Mangold, Administrator
City of Jacksonville Retirement System Administrative OfficeJake M. Godbold Building,
407 N. Laura Street, Suite 100
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-7280
Fax: (904) 588-0524
The day-to-day record-keeping functions of the Retirement System are the responsibility
of the Administrator. All records and books of the Retirement System, except medical records,
are available for public inspection at the office of the Administrator. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. -
4:30 p.m. daily. The Plan Administrator is the designated agent for the service of legal process.
DOES THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OPERATE ON A FISCAL YEAR?
The Retirement System operates on a fiscal year commencing on October 1 of each year
and concluding on September 30 of each year. The Retirement Systems fiscal records are
maintained on this annual basis.
WHAT IS THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE?
The General Employees Advisory Committee consists of seven (7) members. Six (6)
members are elected from among the participants of their plan and one (1) member is a retiree
elected by the Retired Employees Association. Committee members are elected in even years for
a two (2) year term. The Advisory Committee performs all fact finding duties for retirement
benefit applications. The Advisory Committee recommends approval or denial of benefits to the
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Board of Trustees. The Advisory Committee also recommends approval on all applications for
participation in the General Employees Retirement Plan.
The Committee members change from time to time. The current membership of the
Committee may be obtained from the Pension Administrator.
WHEN DO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEET?
The Board of Trustees customarily meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at two (2)
PM. The Advisory Committee for the General Employees meets on the second Wednesday of
each month at two (2) PM. Meeting notices are posted on the Public Meetings board found on
the main floor of City Hall and on the Retirement Systems website.
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
Some of the terms used in the Summary Plan Description have special meaning as
applied within the Retirement System. A few of these terms are defined below:
Accumulated Contributions. The sum of all amounts deducted from a members
compensation and/or picked up on behalf of a member.
Credited Service. The number of years and months you work for the City and for which
you receive credit towards your retirement benefit and for which pension contributions are made.
Earnable Compensation. A members base pay for regular hours worked as an
employee, plus service raises and excluding bonuses, adjusted compensation, overtime or any
extra compensation over and above regularly budgeted salaries. Earnable compensation shall not
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include payouts of accumulated leave taken as cash upon separation from service.
Final Monthly Compensation. The members average monthly rate of earnable
compensation for his/her highest thirty-six (36) consecutive months (seventy-eight (78) pay
periods) out of the last ten (10) years of employment.
Member. An employee actively employed by the City for whom contributions to the
GEPP are made.
Surviving Spouse. To qualify as a surviving spouse, the spouse must be married to and
living with the member at the time of the members death and have been married to the member
for a minimum of three-hundred and sixty-five (365) days immediately prior to death.
Vesting. Any member who completes five (5) years of credited service and who has made
proper application to the Retirement System has a fully vested right to accrued benefits.
Vested Benefit. A deferred benefit to which a member has gained a future right to the
provisions of the Retirement System.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM?
The General Employees Plan is open to employees of the JEA, the JHA, MPO, and City,
other than police officers and firefighters. Appointed officials and permanent employees not in
the civil service system may opt to become members of the Retirement System. Elected officials
are members of the Florida Retirement System Elected Officer Class. Participation in the
Retirement System is mandatory for all full time employees of the City who otherwise meet the
requirements for participation.
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HOW IS THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FUNDED?
Money is contributed to the GEPP by the member and the City. Under Florida Law, the
City is responsible for making certain that the GEPP is actuarially sound. The GEPP is
considered actuarially sound when it can pay all benefits when they become due.
The required City contribution is determined each year by an actuarial valuation. The
valuation is performed to make sure that the Retirement System is able to pay benefits to
members.
The member contributions and the City contributions are invested in stocks and bonds.
The income generated from these investments also helps to fund the benefits provided by the
Retirement System.
CAN I RECEIVE CREDITED SERVICE FOR PRIOR EMPLOYMENT?
Members hired prior to October 1, 2009, with prior eligible full time service with the City
or various agencies of the consolidated government, including some independent agencies, may
be eligible to connect an unlimited amount of previous service by paying the current
contribution rate. Such contributions may be made by lump sum payment, roll over from another
qualified retirement plan, through payroll deductions, without interest, over a period not to
exceed five (5) years, or a combination of payment options. Members hired on or after October 1,
2009, wishing to connect service in excess of ten (10) years, must pay the full actuarial cost of
the service as determined by the Retirement Systems actuary. All time service connections for
periods beyond 10 years must be commenced by February 11, 2011.
Members in receipt of Workers Compensation may only make contributions to the Plan
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to continue to accrue credited service for a period not to exceed six months from the date of first
receiving Workers Compensation benefits. A member wishing to connect service must make an
application to the Board of Trustees and complete the purchase prior to retirement.
Members who are vested may purchase up to 2 years of active duty military service as
credited service. Military service may be active duty, war time, or non-wartime service, provided
that non-wartime service shall not exceed one (1) year. All military service purchased under this
section must have occurred prior to any employment with the City. Military service may be
purchased at the rate of twenty (20) percent of the members earnable compensation.
WHAT BENEFITS DO I RECEIVE FROM THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM?
Service Retirement. Members of the GEPP are eligible to retire with a full pension
benefit upon achieving one of the following: (1) completing thirty (30) years of credited service,
regardless of age; (2) attaining age fifty-five (55) with twenty (20) years of credited service; or
(3) attaining age sixty-five (65) with five (5) years of credited service. There is no mandatory
retirement age.
Upon reaching one of the three conditions for retirement described above, a member is
entitled to a retirement benefit of two and one-half (2.5) percent of final monthly compensation
(as defined above), multiplied by the number of years of credited service, up to a maximum
benefit of eighty (80) percent of final monthly compensation. A service retirement benefit is
payable bi-weekly to commence upon the first payday coincident with or next following the
members actual retirement and will continue until death.
Early Retirement. Members of the GEPP are eligible to an early retirement benefit at
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the time of completing twenty-five (25) years of credited service, but less than thirty (30) years of
credited service, regardless of age, with a two (2) percent accrual rate. A member is also eligible
for early retirement benefits upon attaining age fifty (50) with twenty (20) years of credited
service. If the member chooses early retirement at age fifty (50) with twenty (20) years of
credited service, the amount of the benefit is reduced by one-half () percent for each month
preceding age fifty-five (55).
Cost-of-Living Adjustment. Each member and survivor is entitled to a cost of living
adjustment (COLA). The COLA consists of a three (3) percent increase of the retirees or
survivors pension benefits, which compounds annually. The COLA commences in the first full
pay period of April following five (5) full years of retirement.
Supplement. In addition, there is a supplement. The supplement is equal to five (5)
dollars multiplied by the number of years of credited service. This benefit may not exceed one-
hundred and fifty (150) dollars.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LEAVE CITY EMPLOYMENT BEFORE ELIGIBILITY FOR
SERVICE RETIREMENT OR EARLY RETIREMENT?
A member who leaves the service of the city prior to completing five (5) years of credited
service is not entitled to any retirement benefits from the Retirement System except a refund of
contributions with no interest. A member who leaves the service of the City prior to eligibility
for normal service retirement or early service retirement, but who has completed five (5) years of
creditable service is eligible to make application for a vested benefit commencing at age sixty-
five (65) at a two and one-half (2.5) percent accrual rate for each year of creditable service. Such
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benefits will be based on final monthly compensation and credited service as of the date of
termination. If a member does not apply for a vested benefit within 90 days of leaving
employment, the member will automatically receive a refund of contributions and will
permanently lose the right to select a deferred retirement option.
IS THERE A MINIMUM RETIREMENT BENEFIT?
The minimum retirement benefit received by a member is twenty-five (25) dollars
multiplied by the number of whole years of credited service not to exceed thirty (30) years. For
members retiring on or after August 14, 1995, the minimum payment is increased at a
compounded rate of four (4) percent annually on each October 1. The minimum benefit for
survivors of a retired member shall be seventy-five (75) percent of minimum benefits.
CAN I RECEIVE A REFUND OF ALL MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS?
A member may, upon separation from service, elect to receive a return of the members
accumulated contributions in lieu of all benefits under the Retirement System. A refund of
accumulated contributions without interest will be paid in a single lump sum. A member
electing to receive an immediate refund of contributions forfeits the right to receive a monthly
pension benefit and all other rights in and to retirement and the pension otherwise provided.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I BECOME DISABLED?
A member of the GEPP, who becomes permanently and totally incapacitated, physically
or mentally, from regular and continuous duty as an employee or officer of the city, is considered
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disabled under the terms of the Retirement System. The Retirement System provides two types
of disability benefits: a service-incurred disability retirement, and a non-service incurred
disability retirement.
Service-incurred disability retirement. A service-incurred disability retirement
consists of a disability that arose as a result of an act occurring, or presumed by law to have
occurred, in the performance of service with the City. The service-incurred disability benefit is
fifty (50) percent of the average salary earned by the member in the last three (3) years
immediately preceding the disability retirement, including any period of leave of absence without
pay.
Non-service-incurred disability retirement. A member is only eligible for a non-
service incurred disability retirement upon completion of five (5) years of credited service. A
non-service incurred disability retirement is twenty-five (25) percent of the average salary earned
by the member in the last three (3) years immediately preceding the disability retirement,
including any period of leave of absence without pay. For each year of service in excess of five
(5) years, the benefit shall be increased two and one-half (2.5) percent to a maximum of fifty (50)
percent.
Payments of disability benefits for either duty or non-duty disabilities are payable bi-
weekly and will continue until the recovery from the disability or death. Upon the death of
member who is in receipt of disability benefits, the surviving spouse shall receive seventy-five
(75) percent of the disability benefit, payable for life.
A member who receives a disability pension may be reexamined by the Board at any
time, and if found to have recovered, must resume active service with the City in a position
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offered. If a member recovers, yet refuses re-employment with the City, the disability retirement
benefits will be terminated.
ARE THERE ANY DISABILITIES THAT DO NOT QUALIFY
FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT BENEFITS?
A member may not receive disability benefits if the disability is the result of: (1)
excessive or habitual use of drugs, intoxicants, or narcotics by the member; (2) an injury or
disease sustained by the member while willfully and illegally participating in fights, riots, or civil
insurrections, or while committing a crime; (3) an injury or disease sustained while the member
was serving in the armed forces; or (4) a member may not receive a benefit for a disability that
resulted from a self-inflicted wound or condition.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A DISABILITY RETIREMENT BENEFIT?
A member must complete an application on a form provided by the Board of Trustees.
The member must execute any medical releases necessary to permit the Board of Trustees to
review the medical records needed to determine the question of disability. The member may be
required to submit to an independent medical examination. The Advisory Committee will
conduct a fact finding process and recommend granting or denying the benefit to the Board of
Trustees. The Board of Trustees makes the final determination on the question of disability. The
procedure for disability applications is outlined in detail in the Ordinance Code. Application for
disability benefits must be made while still a member of the Plan, meaning still actively
employed at the time of application.
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If a member is dissatisfied with any decision made by the Board, the member has the
opportunity to appeal that decision within thirty (30) days of the date of any written decision by
the Board by filing a petition for common law certiorari in the Circuit Court of Duval County,
Florida.
DEATH AFTER RETIREMENT
Upon the death of a retired member, the surviving spouse receives seventy-five (75)
percent of the members retirement benefit. In order to qualify as a surviving spouse, the
spouse must be married to and living with the member at the time of the members death and have
been married to the member for a minimum of three-hundred and sixty-five (365) days
immediately prior to death. The surviving spouses benefit will continue until death and is not
affected by remarriage. If there are dependent children under the age of eighteen (18), or
dependent handicapped children, regardless of age, the benefit is increased by ten (10) percent for
each child to a maximum to one-hundred (100) percent.
Orphaned children are entitled to the same benefit as a surviving spouse without children.
The benefit will continue until their marriage or until they reach the age of eighteen (18).
Children under the age of eighteen (18) whose parent is a member or retiree of the Plan shall
receive a benefit of three-hundred (300) dollars per child per month upon the death of the retiree
or member, where no other survivorship benefit is available, but not to exceed the member's
maximum benefit. The benefit continues until the earlier of the child's marriage or reaching age
eighteen (18).
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DEATH PRIOR TO RETIREMENT
If an active member of the GEPP dies before retirement, and is not eligible for a time
service retirement, the surviving spouse will receive seventy-five (75) percent of the pension the
member would have received if the member retired with a time service retirement based on a two
(2) percent annual accrual rate. If the member was eligible for a service retirement, the benefit
will be calculated as if the deceased member was a retiree. The benefits will be increased by ten
(10) percent for each of the retirees children under the age of eighteen (18), up to a maximum of
one-hundred (100) percent of the retirees pension benefits.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER BENEFIT PAYMENT OPTIONS?
A member may elect a BACKDROP Retirement Plan Option Payment
(BACKDROP) or a partial-lump sum payment (PLOP).
BACKDROP. A member who has completed thirty (30) or more years of credited
service may participate in the BACKDROP. A member who elects the BACKDROP will receive
benefits as if the member had retired at any date up to sixty (60) months prior to their actual
retirement. A member electing the BACKDROP will receive a sum equal to the amount of the
normal retirement benefits they were eligible to receive during the BACKDROP period had the
member actually retired at the commencement of the BACKDROP period. The payment will be
made as a lump sum and accrued interest shall be added at the rate earned by the Retirement
System on its investments for the BACKDROP period, with a negative amount of minus four (4)
percent and a positive limit of plus four (4) percent. The BACKDROP period may not exceed
sixty (60) months.
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PLOP. Upon retirement, a member of the General Employees Retirement System may
elect to receive a partial lump-sum distribution (PLOP) of their retirement benefits. This
lump-sum payment may not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the actuarial present value of the
members retirement benefits. The remaining retirement benefits, which are actuarially reduced
to reflect the lump-sum payment made to the member, will be paid bi-weekly.
MAY I BE RE-EMPLOYED AFTER I RETIRE?
If a retiree returns to work for the City in a full time position covered by the Retirement
System, all retirement benefit payments will cease for the period of re-employment. Upon the
completion of the period of re-employment, and provided that the period of re-employment
exceeds one year, the time service retirement benefit will be re-computed, taking into account the
additional credited service and any change in final monthly compensation occurring from the
period of re-employment. In lieu of continuing in the Retirement System, a re-employed member
of the General Employees Retirement Plan may make a one-time, irrevocable election to join the
Defined Contribution Plan as set forth in Jacksonville Ordinance. Such election must be made
within ninety (90) days of re-employment. In the case of such an election, the members benefits
in the General Employees Retirement System will be frozen at the level in effect at the time of
re-employment and will re-commence at the same amount upon separation from service. Retired
employees may return to work on a part-time basis (defined as 25 hours per week or less) and not
jeopardize their pension benefit.
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HOW DO I APPLY FOR BENEFITS?
A member may apply for a service retirement benefit by submitting the required
retirement application to the Retirement Systems Administrative office. All applications may be
obtained from the Administrative office.
ARE RETIREMENT BENEFITS SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE?
As discussed above, if you separate from service before you vest, you will not receive any
benefits from the Retirement System, although you are entitled to a refund of your contributions.
In addition, benefits are forfeitable pursuant to the provisions of Section 112.3173, Florida
Statutes, which provides for the forfeiture of retirement benefits of persons convicted of specific
offenses even if you have vested in your benefits. Pension benefits may also be forfeited if you
are terminated by reason of your admitted commission, aiding or abetting of a specified offense.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF MY PENSION BENEFITS IN THE EVENT
OF DIVORCE AND WHIT TYPE OF ORDER IS USED BY THE COURT SYSTEM
TO PLACE A LIEN AGAINST THE DISTRIBUTION OF PENSION BENEFITSIN THE EVENT OF A DIVORCE?
Pension benefits are considered marital property subject to division in a divorce
proceeding. While the benefits are not subject to distribution until after a member terminates
employment with the City, a court can determine that upon distribution, a certain portion of the
pension benefits may be awarded to a former spouse through the Domestic Relations Depository.
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO) and Income Deduction Orders (IDO)
are two forms of court orders that are commonly issued pursuant to divorce proceedings. A
QDRO is a judgment, decree, or order by a court, usually in the case of a divorce that relates to
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the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights to a spouse, child or
other dependent of a participant.
Government plans, like the GEPP, are not subject to QDROs. Unlike governmental
plans, QDROs are specifically applicable to private pension plans under Internal Revenue Code
Section 414(p)(2). Accordingly, the GEPP does not recognize QDROs for the assignment of
any pension rights by a participant for distributions of a divorced spouses interest. In Lieu
thereof, the State (under Section 61.1301, F.S.) has provided that IDOs for alimony and child
support are mandatory court orders that the Pension Plan must follow. IDOs are taken from
benefit checks and remanded directly to the DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE for distribution
to the spouse. Separate pension checks are not issued to the former spouse. The divorce laws
can be quite complex. Therefore you may wish to speak to legal counsel to discuss your personal
circumstances.
ARE PENSION BENEFITS SUBJECT TO TAXES?
Service-retirement benefits and non-duty disability pensions are taxable as ordinary
income. The retiree will receive a tax form from the Retirement System at the end of each
January reporting the income received in the prior year. Service-connected disability retirement
benefits, coordinated with Workers Compensation, may be considered to be tax exempt under
some circumstances. For specific tax advice you should consult a qualified tax expert.
HOW ARE RETIREMENT SYSTEM DOCUMENTS/RECORDS KEPT?
The administrative office keeps accurate and detailed accounts of all investments,
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receipts, disbursements, and other transactions pertaining to Retirement System property. The
administrative office keeps a record of all Board proceedings and they are available for public
inspection. The Boards meetings are open to the public as required under the Government In
Sunshine Law.
HOW DO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
AFFECT THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM?
Retirement benefits are subject to collective bargaining under the Florida Public
Employees Labor Relations Act, Chapter 447, Part II, Florida Statutes, as interpreted by the
Florida Supreme Court, and may be negotiated from time to time. Any contract provision must
be made effective by changing the ordinances which govern this Retirement System.
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING PENSION BENEFITS?
All questions should be directed to the Retirement Systems Administrative Office at:
City of Jacksonville Retirement System Administrative OfficeJake M. Godbold Building,
407 N. Laura Street, Suite 100
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-7280
Fax: (904) 588-0524
SUMMARY
The foregoing Summary Plan Description has been designed to help answer some of your
questions about how the Retirement System is organized and managed. The final authority on
any interpretation of the Retirement System is the actual legislation which created the Retirement
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System and your particular plan. In the event of any conflict between this summary and those
laws, the provisions in law control. Nothing in this summary is intended to nor constitutes a
contract for benefits. The ordinances governing the Retirement System may be found within the
Charter and Ordinance Code of the City of Jacksonville. The City Code may be reviewed in the
office of City Council, Legislative Services, or online at www.municode.com.
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GENERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION PLAN
SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION
(SPD)
I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE RECEIVED THE REVISED VERSION OF
THE SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION BOOKLET FROM THE CITY OF
JACKSONVILLE RETIREMENT SYSTEM DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 2010.
NAME (PRINT)
EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER EMPLOYER (CIRCLE ONE)
SIGNATURE
DATE
FILL OUT THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND RETURN THIS PAGE TO
THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, GODBOLD
BUILDING, SUITE 100.
COJ JEA JHA MPO
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