1206-S.SL

AN ACT Relating to creating new retirement systems; amending RCW 41.32.005, 41.32.032, 41.45.010, 41.45.020, 41.45.030, 41.45.050, 41.45.060, 41.45.070, 41.50.075, 41.50.110, 41.50.030, 41.50.050, 41.50.060, 41.54.030, 41.04.440, 41.04.445, and 41.04.450; reenacting and amending RCW 41.32.010; adding new sections to chapter 41.32 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 41.50 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.45 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.54 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.33A RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 41 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 41.04.250, 41.04.255, 41.04.260, 41.32.775, 41.45.040, 41.45.0601, 41.45.901, 41.50.032, and 41.50.250; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that teachers, principals, and district administrators need the ability to make transitions to other public or private sector careers, and that the retirement system should not be a barrier to exercise of employee choice. The legislature also recognizes that teachers, principals, and district administrators need a secure and viable retirement benefit, not only for their own financial protection, but also that public funds are spent prudently for their intended purpose.

It is the legislative intent to create a new public retirement system that balances flexibility with stability, provides both increased employee control of investments and responsible protection of the public's investment in employee benefits, and encourages the pursuit of public sector careers without preventing employees from transitioning into other public or private sector employment.

Therefore, the purpose of chapter . . ., Laws of 1995 (this act) is to continue to provide teachers, principals, and district administrators with a guaranteed pension at retirement age based on years of public service with an element of inflation protection. It is further the purpose of chapter . . ., Laws of 1995 (this act) to create a parallel retirement plan where employees have options regarding the investment of their retirement contributions and have the opportunity, along with the accompanying risk, to receive a full rate of return on their investments and where employees who leave public employment prior to retirement receive a fair and reasonable value from the retirement system.

PART I

DEFINED BENEFIT‑-TRS III

Sec. 101. RCW 41.32.005 and 1992 c 72 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

RCW 41.32.010 through 41.32.067 shall apply to members of plan I ((~~and~~)), plan II, and plan III.

Sec. 102. RCW 41.32.010 and 1994 c 298 s 3, 1994 c 247 s 2, and 1994 c 197 s 12 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

(1)(a) "Accumulated contributions" for plan I members, means the sum of all regular annuity contributions and, except for the purpose of withdrawal at the time of retirement, any amount paid under RCW 41.50.165(2) with regular interest thereon.

(b) "Accumulated contributions" for plan II members, means the sum of all contributions standing to the credit of a member in the member's individual account, including any amount paid under RCW 41.50.165(2), together with the regular interest thereon.

(2) "Actuarial equivalent" means a benefit of equal value when computed upon the basis of such mortality tables and regulations as shall be adopted by the director and regular interest.

(3) "Annuity" means the moneys payable per year during life by reason of accumulated contributions of a member.

(4) "Member reserve" means the fund in which all of the accumulated contributions of members are held.

(5)(a) "Beneficiary" for plan I members, means any person in receipt of a retirement allowance or other benefit provided by this chapter.

(b) "Beneficiary" for plan II and plan III members, means any person in receipt of a retirement allowance or other benefit provided by this chapter resulting from service rendered to an employer by another person.

(6) "Contract" means any agreement for service and compensation between a member and an employer.

(7) "Creditable service" means membership service plus prior service for which credit is allowable. This subsection shall apply only to plan I members.

(8) "Dependent" means receiving one‑half or more of support from a member.

(9) "Disability allowance" means monthly payments during disability. This subsection shall apply only to plan I members.

(10)(a) "Earnable compensation" for plan I members, means:

(i) All salaries and wages paid by an employer to an employee member of the retirement system for personal services rendered during a fiscal year. In all cases where compensation includes maintenance the employer shall fix the value of that part of the compensation not paid in money.

(ii) "Earnable compensation" for plan I members also includes the following actual or imputed payments, which are not paid for personal services:

(A) Retroactive payments to an individual by an employer on reinstatement of the employee in a position, or payments by an employer to an individual in lieu of reinstatement in a position which are awarded or granted as the equivalent of the salary or wages which the individual would have earned during a payroll period shall be considered earnable compensation and the individual shall receive the equivalent service credit.

(B) If a leave of absence, without pay, is taken by a member for the purpose of serving as a member of the state legislature, and such member has served in the legislature five or more years, the salary which would have been received for the position from which the leave of absence was taken shall be considered as compensation earnable if the employee's contribution thereon is paid by the employee. In addition, where a member has been a member of the state legislature for five or more years, earnable compensation for the member's two highest compensated consecutive years of service shall include a sum not to exceed thirty‑six hundred dollars for each of such two consecutive years, regardless of whether or not legislative service was rendered during those two years.

(iii) For members employed less than full time under written contract with a school district, or community college district, in an instructional position, for which the member receives service credit of less than one year in all of the years used to determine the earnable compensation used for computing benefits due under RCW 41.32.497, 41.32.498, and 41.32.520, the member may elect to have earnable compensation defined as provided in RCW 41.32.345. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "instructional position" means a position in which more than seventy‑five percent of the member's time is spent as a classroom instructor (including office hours), a librarian, or a counselor. Earnable compensation shall be so defined only for the purpose of the calculation of retirement benefits and only as necessary to insure that members who receive fractional service credit under RCW 41.32.270 receive benefits proportional to those received by members who have received full‑time service credit.

(iv) "Earnable compensation" does not include:

(A) Remuneration for unused sick leave authorized under RCW 41.04.340, 28A.400.210, or 28A.310.490;

(B) Remuneration for unused annual leave in excess of thirty days as authorized by RCW 43.01.044 and 43.01.041.

(b) "Earnable compensation" for plan II and plan III members, means salaries or wages earned by a member during a payroll period for personal services, including overtime payments, and shall include wages and salaries deferred under provisions established pursuant to sections 403(b), 414(h), and 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, but shall exclude lump sum payments for deferred annual sick leave, unused accumulated vacation, unused accumulated annual leave, or any form of severance pay.

"Earnable compensation" for plan II and plan III members also includes the following actual or imputed payments which, except in the case of (b)(ii)(B) of this subsection, are not paid for personal services:

(i) Retroactive payments to an individual by an employer on reinstatement of the employee in a position or payments by an employer to an individual in lieu of reinstatement in a position which are awarded or granted as the equivalent of the salary or wages which the individual would have earned during a payroll period shall be considered earnable compensation, to the extent provided above, and the individual shall receive the equivalent service credit.

(ii) In any year in which a member serves in the legislature the member shall have the option of having such member's earnable compensation be the greater of:

(A) The earnable compensation the member would have received had such member not served in the legislature; or

(B) Such member's actual earnable compensation received for teaching and legislative service combined. Any additional contributions to the retirement system required because compensation earnable under (b)(ii)(A) of this subsection is greater than compensation earnable under (b)(ii)(B) of this subsection shall be paid by the member for both member and employer contributions.

(11) "Employer" means the state of Washington, the school district, or any agency of the state of Washington by which the member is paid.

(12) "Fiscal year" means a year which begins July 1st and ends June 30th of the following year.

(13) "Former state fund" means the state retirement fund in operation for teachers under chapter 187, Laws of 1923, as amended.

(14) "Local fund" means any of the local retirement funds for teachers operated in any school district in accordance with the provisions of chapter 163, Laws of 1917 as amended.

(15) "Member" means any teacher included in the membership of the retirement system. Also, any other employee of the public schools who, on July 1, 1947, had not elected to be exempt from membership and who, prior to that date, had by an authorized payroll deduction, contributed to the member reserve.

(16) "Membership service" means service rendered subsequent to the first day of eligibility of a person to membership in the retirement system: PROVIDED, That where a member is employed by two or more employers the individual shall receive no more than one service credit month during any calendar month in which multiple service is rendered. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to plan I members.

(17) "Pension" means the moneys payable per year during life from the pension reserve.

(18) "Pension reserve" is a fund in which shall be accumulated an actuarial reserve adequate to meet present and future pension liabilities of the system and from which all pension obligations are to be paid.

(19) "Prior service" means service rendered prior to the first date of eligibility to membership in the retirement system for which credit is allowable. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to plan I members.

(20) "Prior service contributions" means contributions made by a member to secure credit for prior service. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to plan I members.

(21) "Public school" means any institution or activity operated by the state of Washington or any instrumentality or political subdivision thereof employing teachers, except the University of Washington and Washington State University.

(22) "Regular contributions" means the amounts required to be deducted from the compensation of a member and credited to the member's individual account in the member reserve. This subsection shall apply only to plan I members.

(23) "Regular interest" means such rate as the director may determine.

(24)(a) "Retirement allowance" for plan I members, means monthly payments based on the sum of annuity and pension, or any optional benefits payable in lieu thereof.

(b) "Retirement allowance" for plan II and plan III members, means monthly payments to a retiree or beneficiary as provided in this chapter.

(25) "Retirement system" means the Washington state teachers' retirement system.

(26)(a) "Service" for plan I members means the time during which a member has been employed by an employer for compensation.

(i) If a member is employed by two or more employers the individual shall receive no more than one service credit month during any calendar month in which multiple service is rendered.

(ii) As authorized by RCW 28A.400.300, up to forty-five days of sick leave may be creditable as service solely for the purpose of determining eligibility to retire under RCW 41.32.470.

(iii) As authorized in RCW 41.32.065, service earned in an out-of-state retirement system that covers teachers in public schools may be applied solely for the purpose of determining eligibility to retire under RCW 41.32.470.

(b) "Service" for plan II and plan III members, means periods of employment by a member for one or more employers for which earnable compensation is earned subject to the following conditions:

(i) A member employed in an eligible position or as a substitute shall receive one service credit month for each month of September through August of the following year if he or she earns earnable compensation for eight hundred ten or more hours during that period and is employed during nine of those months, except that a member may not receive credit for any period prior to the member's employment in an eligible position except as provided in RCW 41.32.812 and 41.50.132;

(ii) If a member is employed either in an eligible position or as a substitute teacher for nine months of the twelve month period between September through August of the following year but earns earnable compensation for less than eight hundred ten hours but for at least six hundred thirty hours, he or she will receive one‑half of a service credit month for each month of the twelve month period;

(iii) All other members in an eligible position or as a substitute teacher shall receive service credit as follows:

(A) A service credit month is earned in those calendar months where earnable compensation is earned for ninety or more hours;

(B) A half-service credit month is earned in those calendar months where earnable compensation is earned for at least seventy hours but less than ninety hours; and

(C) A quarter-service credit month is earned in those calendar months where earnable compensation is earned for less than seventy hours.

(iv) Any person who is a member of the teachers' retirement system and who is elected or appointed to a state elective position may continue to be a member of the retirement system and continue to receive a service credit month for each of the months in a state elective position by making the required member contributions.

(v) When an individual is employed by two or more employers the individual shall only receive one month's service credit during any calendar month in which multiple service for ninety or more hours is rendered.

(vi) As authorized by RCW 28A.400.300, up to forty-five days of sick leave may be creditable as service solely for the purpose of determining eligibility to retire under RCW 41.32.470. For purposes of plan II "forty-five days" as used in RCW 28A.400.300 is equal to two service credit months. Use of less than forty-five days of sick leave is creditable as allowed under this subsection as follows:

(A) Less than eleven days equals one-quarter service credit month;

(B) Eleven or more days but less than twenty-two days equals one-half service credit month;

(D) More than twenty-two days but less than thirty-three days equals one and one-quarter service credit month;

(E) Thirty-three or more days but less than forty-five days equals one and one-half service credit month.

(vii) As authorized in RCW 41.32.065, service earned in an out-of-state retirement system that covers teachers in public schools may be applied solely for the purpose of determining eligibility to retire under RCW 41.32.470.

(viii) The department shall adopt rules implementing this subsection.

(27) "Service credit year" means an accumulation of months of service credit which is equal to one when divided by twelve.

(28) "Service credit month" means a full service credit month or an accumulation of partial service credit months that are equal to one.

(29) "Teacher" means any person qualified to teach who is engaged by a public school in an instructional, administrative, or supervisory capacity. The term includes state, educational service district, and school district superintendents and their assistants and all employees certificated by the superintendent of public instruction; and in addition thereto any full time school doctor who is employed by a public school and renders service of an instructional or educational nature.

(30) "Average final compensation" for plan II and plan III members, means the member's average earnable compensation of the highest consecutive sixty service credit months prior to such member's retirement, termination, or death. Periods constituting authorized leaves of absence may not be used in the calculation of average final compensation except under RCW 41.32.810(2).

(31) "Retiree" means any person in receipt of a retirement allowance or other benefit provided by this chapter resulting from service rendered to an employer while a member. A person is in receipt of a retirement allowance as defined in subsection (24) of this section or other benefit as provided by this chapter when the department mails, causes to be mailed, or otherwise transmits the retirement allowance warrant.

(32) "Department" means the department of retirement systems created in chapter 41.50 RCW.

(33) "Director" means the director of the department.

(34) "State elective position" means any position held by any person elected or appointed to state‑wide office or elected or appointed as a member of the legislature.

(35) "State actuary" or "actuary" means the person appointed pursuant to RCW 44.44.010(2).

(36) "Substitute teacher" means:

(a) A teacher who is hired by an employer to work as a temporary teacher, except for teachers who are annual contract employees of an employer and are guaranteed a minimum number of hours; or

(b) Teachers who either (i) work in ineligible positions for more than one employer or (ii) work in an ineligible position or positions together with an eligible position.

(37)(a) "Eligible position" for plan II members from June 7, 1990, through September 1, 1991, means a position which normally requires two or more uninterrupted months of creditable service during September through August of the following year.

(b) "Eligible position" for plan II and plan III on and after September 1, 1991, means a position that, as defined by the employer, normally requires five or more months of at least seventy hours of earnable compensation during September through August of the following year.

(c) For purposes of this chapter an employer shall not define "position" in such a manner that an employee's monthly work for that employer is divided into more than one position.

(d) The elected position of the superintendent of public instruction is an eligible position.

(38) "Plan I" means the teachers' retirement system, plan I providing the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first became members of the system prior to October 1, 1977.

(39) "Plan II" means the teachers' retirement system, plan II providing the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first became members of the system on and after October 1, 1977, and prior to the effective date of this act.

(40) "Plan III" means the teachers' retirement system, plan III providing the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first become members of the system on and after the effective date of this act or who transfer under section 303 of this act.

(41) "Education association" means an association organized to carry out collective bargaining activities, the majority of whose members are employees covered by chapter 41.59 RCW or academic employees covered by chapter 28B.52 RCW.

(42) "Index" means, for any calendar year, that year's annual average consumer price index, Seattle, Washington area, for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items compiled by the bureau of labor statistics, United States department of labor.

((~~(41)~~)) (43) "Index A" means the index for the year prior to the determination of a postretirement adjustment.

((~~(42)~~)) (44) "Index B" means the index for the year prior to index A.

((~~(43)~~)) (45) "Index year" means the earliest calendar year in which the index is more than sixty percent of index A.

((~~(44)~~)) (46) "Adjustment ratio" means the value of index A divided by index B.

Sec. 103. RCW 41.32.032 and 1992 c 212 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any teacher, as defined under RCW 41.32.010, who is first employed by a public school on or after June 7, 1984, shall become a member of the retirement system ((~~as directed under RCW 41.32.780~~)) if otherwise eligible.

(2) Any person who before June 7, 1984, has established service credit under chapter 41.40 RCW while employed in an educational staff associate position and who is employed in such a position on or after June 7, 1984 has the following options:

(a) To remain a member of the public employees' retirement system notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 41.32.240 or 41.32.780; or

(b) To irrevocably elect to join the retirement system under this chapter and to receive service credit for previous periods of employment in any position included under RCW 41.32.010. This service credit and corresponding employee contribution shall be computed as though the person had then been a member of the retirement system under this chapter. All employee contributions credited to a member under chapter 41.40 RCW for service now to be credited to the retirement system under this chapter shall be transferred to the system and the member shall not receive any credit nor enjoy any rights under chapter 41.40 RCW for those periods of service. The member shall pay any difference between the employee contributions made under chapter 41.40 RCW and transferred under this subsection and what would have been required under this chapter, including interest as set by the director. The member shall be given until July 1, 1989, to make the irrevocable election permitted under this section. The election shall be made by submitting written notification as required by the department requesting credit under this section and by remitting any necessary proof of service or payments within the time set by the department.

Any person, not employed as an educational staff associate on June 7, 1984, may, before June 30 of the fifth school year after that person's return to employment as a teacher, request and establish membership and credit under this subsection.

PLAN III

NEW SECTION. Sec. 104. (1) Sections 104 through 117 of this act shall apply only to plan III members.

(2) Plan III shall consist of two separate elements: (a) A defined benefit portion covered under this subchapter; and (b) a defined contribution portion covered under chapter 41.-- RCW (sections 201 through 209 of this act). All contributions on behalf of the employer paid by an employee shall be made to the defined benefit portion of plan III and shall be nonrefundable when paid to the fund described in RCW 41.50.075(3).

(3) Unless otherwise specified, all references to "plan III" in this subchapter refer to the defined benefit portion of plan III.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 105. All teachers who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after the effective date of this act shall be members of plan III.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 106. A member of the retirement system shall receive a retirement allowance equal to one percent of such member's average final compensation for each service credit year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 107. Retirement allowances paid under the defined benefit portion of plan III shall have a postretirement cost-of-living allowance calculated and paid as provided in RCW 41.32.770.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 108. (1) Upon retirement for service as prescribed in section 113 of this act or retirement for disability under section 114 of this act, a member shall elect to have the retirement allowance paid pursuant to one of the following options, calculated so as to be actuarially equivalent to each other.

(a) Standard allowance. A member electing this option shall receive a retirement allowance payable throughout such member's life. Upon the death of the retired member, all benefits shall cease.

(b) The department shall adopt rules that allow a member to select a retirement option that pays the member a reduced retirement allowance and upon death, such portion of the member's reduced retirement allowance as the department by rule designates shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to such person or persons as the retiree shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department at the time of retirement. The options adopted by the department shall include, but are not limited to, a joint and one hundred percent survivor option and joint and fifty percent survivor option.

(2) A member, if married, must provide the written consent of his or her spouse to the option selected under this section. If a member is married and both the member and the member's spouse do not give written consent to an option under this section, the department shall pay a joint and fifty percent survivor benefit calculated to be actuarially equivalent to the benefit options available under subsection (1) of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 109. Any member or beneficiary eligible to receive a retirement allowance under the provisions of section 113, 114, or 117 of this act shall be eligible to commence receiving a retirement allowance after having filed written application with the department.

(1) Retirement allowances paid to members shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such member's separation from employment.

(2) Retirement allowances paid to vested members no longer in service, but qualifying for such an allowance pursuant to section 112 of this act shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such qualification.

(3) Disability allowances paid to disabled members shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such member's separation from employment for disability.

(4) Retirement allowances paid as death benefits shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following the member's death.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 110. (1) No retiree shall be eligible to receive such retiree's monthly retirement allowance if he or she is employed in an eligible position as defined in RCW 41.40.010 or 41.32.010, or as a law enforcement officer or fire fighter as defined in RCW 41.26.030, except that a plan III retiree may work in eligible positions on a temporary basis for up to five months per calendar year.

(2) If a retiree's benefits have been suspended under this section, his or her benefits shall be reinstated when the retiree terminates the employment that caused the suspension of benefits. Upon reinstatement, the retiree's benefits shall be actuarially recomputed pursuant to the rules adopted by the department.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 111. (1) A member who is on a paid leave of absence authorized by a member's employer shall continue to receive service credit.

(2) A member who receives compensation from an employer while on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an elected official of a labor organization, and whose employer is reimbursed by the labor organization for the compensation paid to the member during the period of absence, may also be considered to be on a paid leave of absence. This subsection shall only apply if the member's leave of absence is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement that provides that the member retains seniority rights with the employer during the period of leave. The earnable compensation reported for a member who establishes service credit under this subsection may not be greater than the salary paid to the highest paid job class covered by the collective bargaining agreement.

(3) Except as specified in subsection (4) of this section, a member shall be eligible to receive a maximum of two years service credit during a member's entire working career for those periods when a member is on an unpaid leave of absence authorized by an employer. Such credit may be obtained only if:

(a) The member makes the contribution on behalf of the employer, plus interest, as determined by the department; and

(b) The member makes the employee contribution, plus interest, as determined by the department, to the defined contribution portion.

The contributions required shall be based on the average of the member's earnable compensation at both the time the authorized leave of absence was granted and the time the member resumed employment.

(4) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the armed forces of the United States shall be entitled to retirement system service credit for up to four years of military service if within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge from the United States armed forces, the member applies for reemployment with the employer who employed the member immediately prior to the member entering the United States armed forces.

The department shall bill the employer for its contribution required under this act for the period of military service, plus interest as determined by the department. Service credit under this subsection may be obtained only if the member makes the employee contribution plus interest to the defined contribution portion as determined by the department.

The contributions required shall be based on the average of the member's earnable compensation at both the time the member left the employ of the employer to enter the armed forces and the time the member resumed employment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 112. (1) The director may pay a member eligible to receive a retirement allowance or the member's beneficiary a lump sum payment in lieu of a monthly benefit if the initial monthly benefit would be less than one hundred dollars. The one hundred dollar limit shall be increased by three percent compounded annually on January 1. The lump sum payment shall be the actuarial equivalent of the monthly benefit.

(2) Persons covered under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section may upon returning to member status reinstate all previous service by depositing the lump sum payment received, with interest as computed by the director, within two years of returning to service or prior to retiring again, whichever comes first. In computing the amount due, the director shall exclude the accumulated value of the normal payments the member would have received while in beneficiary status if the lump sum payment had not occurred.

(3) Any member who receives a settlement under this section shall be deemed to be retired from this system.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 113. (1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member who has vested and attained at least age sixty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of section 106 of this act.

(2) EARLY RETIREMENT. Any member who has attained at least age fifty-five and has completed at least ten years of service shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of section 106 of this act, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 114. (1) A member of the retirement system who becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer as determined by the department shall be eligible to receive an allowance under the provisions of plan III. The member shall receive a monthly disability allowance computed as provided for in section 106 of this act and shall have this allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at disability and the attainment of age sixty-five.

Any member who receives an allowance under the provisions of this section shall be subject to comprehensive medical examinations as required by the department. If these medical examinations reveal that a member has recovered from the incapacitating disability and the member is offered reemployment by an employer at a comparable compensation, the member shall cease to be eligible for the allowance.

(2) If the recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section dies, any further benefit payments shall be conditioned by the payment option selected by the retiree as provided in section 108 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 115. (1) An active member shall become vested in the right to a benefit upon completing ten years of service or upon completing five years of service and attaining age fifty-five.

(2) A vested member who separates or has separated may remain a member during the period of such member's absence from service for the exclusive purpose only of receiving a retirement allowance under the provisions of section 113 of this act.

(3) The retirement allowance payable under section 113 of this act to a member who separates after having completed at least twenty years of service shall be increased by twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent, compounded for each month from the date of separation to the date that the retirement allowance commences.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 116. A nonvested member who leaves service and then reenters membership must earn an additional twelve service credit months to restore past service credit in the defined benefit portion of plan III.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 117. If a member who is vested dies prior to retirement, the surviving spouse or eligible child or children shall receive a retirement allowance computed as provided in section 108 of this act actuarially reduced to reflect a joint and one hundred percent survivor option and if the member was not eligible for normal retirement at the date of death a further reduction as described in section 113(2) of this act.

If the surviving spouse who is receiving the retirement allowance dies leaving a child or children under the age of majority, then such child or children shall continue to receive an allowance in an amount equal to that which was being received by the surviving spouse, share and share alike, until such child or children reach the age of majority.

If there is no surviving spouse eligible to receive an allowance at the time of the member's death, such member's child or children under the age of majority shall receive an allowance, share and share alike. The allowance shall be calculated with the assumption that the age of the spouse and member were equal at the time of the member's death.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 118. Sections 104 through 117 of this act are designated as a subchapter within chapter 41.32 RCW with the subchapter heading "Provisions Applicable to Plan III."

PART II

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PORTION OF PLAN III

NEW SECTION. Sec. 201. The purpose of chapter . . ., Laws of 1995 (this act) is to:

(1) Provide a fair and reasonable value from the retirement system for those who leave public employment before retirement;

(2) Increase flexibility for such employees to make transitions into other public or private sector employment;

(3) Increase employee options for addressing retirement needs, personal financial planning, and career transitions; and

(4) Continue the legislature's established policy of having employees contribute toward their retirement benefits.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 202. As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

(1) "Actuary" means the state actuary or the office of the state actuary.

(2) "Board" means the employee retirement benefits board authorized in chapter 41.50 RCW.

(3) "Department" means the department of retirement systems.

(4) "Compensation" for purposes of this chapter is the same as "earnable compensation" for plan III in chapter 41.32 RCW.

(5) "Member" means any employee included in the membership of a retirement system as provided for plan III in chapter 41.32 RCW.

(6) "Member account" means the sum of the contributions and earnings on behalf of the member.

(7) "Retiree" means any member in receipt of an allowance or other benefit provided by this chapter resulting from service rendered to an employer by such member.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 203. (1) This chapter applies only to members of plan III retirement systems created under chapter 41.32 RCW.

(2) Plan III consists of two separate elements: (a) A defined benefit portion covered under sections 101 through 117, chapter . . ., Laws of 1995 (sections 101 through 117 of this act); and (b) a defined contribution portion covered under this chapter. Unless specified otherwise, all references to "plan III" in this chapter refer to the defined contribution portion of plan III.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 204. (1) A member shall contribute from his or her compensation according to one of the following rate structures:

Option A Contribution Rate

All Ages 5.0% fixed

Option B

Up to Age 35 5.0%

Age 35 to 44 6.0%

Age 45 and above 7.5%

Option C

Up to Age 35 6.0%

Age 35 to 44 7.5%

Age 45 and above 8.5%

(2) The board shall have the right to offer contribution rate options in addition to those listed in subsection (1) of this section, provided that no significant additional administrative costs are created. All options offered by the board shall conform to the requirements stated in subsections (3) and (4) of this section.

(3) Within ninety days of the date that an employee becomes a member of plan III, he or she has an irrevocable option to choose one of the above contribution rate structures. If the member does not select an option within this ninety-day period, he or she shall be assigned option A. Such assignment shall be irrevocable.

(4) Contributions shall begin the first day of the month immediately following the earlier of the selection of an option or the end of the ninety-day period.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 205. The legislature may authorize contributions to the members' accounts for a biennium through budget appropriation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 206. The member's account shall be invested by the state investment board unless the member elects to self direct investments as authorized by the board. Members who make this election shall pay the expenses for self-directed investment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 207. (1) If the member retires, becomes disabled, or otherwise terminates employment, the balance in the member's account may be distributed in accordance with an option selected by the member either as a lump sum or pursuant to other options authorized by the board.

(2) If the member dies while in service, the balance of the member's account may be distributed in accordance with an option selected by the member either as a lump sum or pursuant to other options authorized by the board. The distribution shall be made to such person or persons as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, the balance of the member's account in the retirement system, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of such account balance pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670, shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse as if in fact such spouse had been nominated by written designation, or if there is no surviving spouse, then to such person or persons, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department.

(3) The distribution under subsections (1) or (2) of this section shall be less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 208. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of a person to a pension, an annuity, a retirement allowance, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the various funds created by chapter . . ., Laws of 1995 (this act) and all moneys and investments and income thereof, is hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or other process of law whatsoever, and shall be unassignable.

(2) This section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of public employees of the state of Washington or its political subdivisions and that has been approved for deduction in accordance with rules that may be adopted by the state health care authority and/or the department. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of dues and other membership fees to any retirement association or organization the membership of which is composed of retired public employees, if a total of three hundred or more of such retired employees have authorized such deduction for payment to the same retirement association or organization.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to RCW 26.23.060, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued by the department, (e) a court order directing the department to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 209. (1) The retirement plan created by this chapter shall be administered so as to comply with the federal Internal Revenue Code, Title 26 U.S.C., and specifically with plan qualification requirements imposed on governmental plans by section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) Any section or provision of this chapter which may be susceptible to more than one construction shall be interpreted in favor of the construction most likely to satisfy requirements imposed by section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(3) If any section or provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with the plan qualification requirements for governmental plans in section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the conflicting part of this chapter is hereby inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict, and such finding shall not affect the operation of the remainder of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 210. Sections 201 through 209 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 41 RCW.

PART III

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW SECTION. Sec. 301. A new section is added to chapter 41.50 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The employee retirement benefits board is created within the department of retirement systems.

(2) The board shall be composed of eight members appointed by the governor and one ex officio member as follows:

(a) Three members representing the public employees' retirement system: One retired, two active. The members shall be appointed from a list of nominations submitted by organizations representing each category. The initial term of appointment shall be two years for the retired member, one year for one active member, and three years for the remaining active member.

(b) Three members representing the teachers' retirement system: One retired, two active. The members shall be appointed from a list of nominations submitted by organizations representing each category. The initial term of appointment shall be one year for the retired member, two years for one active member, and three years for the remaining active member.

(c) Two members with experience in defined contribution plan administration. The initial term for these members shall be two years for one member and three years for the remaining member.

(d) The director of the department shall serve ex officio and shall be the chair of the board.

(3) After the initial appointments, members shall be appointed to three-year terms.

(4) The board shall meet at least quarterly during the calendar year, at the call of the chair.

(5) Members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall receive travel expenses as provided for in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Such travel expenses shall be reimbursed by the department from the retirement system expense fund.

(6) The board shall adopt rules governing its procedures and conduct of business.

(7) The actuary shall perform all actuarial services for the board and provide advice and support.

(8) The state investment board shall provide advice and support to the board.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 302. A new section is added to chapter 41.50 RCW to read as follows:

The board shall adopt rules as necessary and exercise all the powers and perform all duties prescribed by law with respect to:

(1) The preselection of options for members to choose from for self-directed investment deemed by the board to be in the best interest of the member. At the board's request, the state investment board may provide investment options for purposes of this subsection;

(2) The selection of optional benefit payment schedules available to members and survivors of members upon the death, disability, retirement, or termination of the member. The optional benefit payments may include but not be limited to: Fixed and participating annuities, joint and survivor annuities, and payments that bridge to social security or defined benefit plan payments;

(3) Approval of actuarially equivalent annuities that may be purchased from the combined plan II and plan III funds under RCW 41.50.075 (2) or (3);

(4) Determination of the basis for administrative charges to the self-directed investment fund to offset self-directed account expenses; and

(5) Selection of investment options for the deferred compensation program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 303. A new section is added to chapter 41.32 RCW under the subchapter heading "Plan II" to read as follows:

(1) Every plan II member employed by an employer in an eligible position may make an irrevocable option to transfer to plan III. For those who elect to transfer:

(a) All service credit in plan II shall be transferred to the defined benefit portion of plan III.

(b) The accumulated contributions in plan II shall be transferred to the member's account in the defined contribution portion established in sections 201 through 209 of this act, pursuant to procedures developed by the department and subject to section 209 of this act.

(c) A member vested on the effective date of this act under plan II shall be automatically vested in plan III upon transfer.

(d) Members employed by an employer in an eligible position on January 1, 1998, who request to transfer to plan III by January 1, 1998, shall have their account in the defined contribution portion of plan III, other than those accumulated contributions attributable to restorations made under RCW 41.50.165(2), increased by twenty percent of their plan II accumulated contributions as of January 1, 1996. If the member who requests to transfer dies before January 1, 1998, the additional payment provided by this subsection shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department.

(e) The legislature reserves the right to discontinue the right to transfer under this section.

(2) This subsection shall also apply to dual members as provided in section 320 of this act.

(3) Any member who elects to transfer to plan III and has eligible unrestored withdrawn contributions in plan II, may subsequently restore such contributions under the provisions of RCW 41.32.825. The restored plan II service credit will be automatically transferred to plan III. Contributions restored will be transferred to the member's account in plan III.

(4) Anyone previously retired from plan II is prohibited from transferring to plan III.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 304. A new section is added to chapter 41.32 RCW under the subchapter heading "Plan II" to read as follows:

Any person who elected pursuant to RCW 41.32.032(2)(a) to remain a member of the public employees' retirement system under chapter 41.40 RCW may make an irrevocable option to transfer to plan III pursuant to section 303 of this act, PROVIDED THAT:

(1) Only service credit for previous periods of employment in a position covered by RCW 41.32.010 is transferred to plan III;

(2) Equivalent accumulated employee and employer contributions attributable to service covered by subsection (1) of this section are transferred to plan III;

(3) Employer contributions transferred under this section shall be paid into the teachers' retirement system combined plan II and III fund.

Any person, not employed as an educational staff associate on the effective date of this act may choose, within one year of the person's return to employment as a teacher, to transfer to plan III under this section.

Sec. 305. RCW 41.45.010 and 1989 c 273 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the intent of the legislature to provide a dependable and systematic process for funding the benefits provided to members and retirees of the public employees' retirement system, chapter 41.40 RCW; the teachers' retirement system, chapter 41.32 RCW; the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system, chapter 41.26 RCW; and the Washington state patrol retirement system, chapter 43.43 RCW.

The funding process established by this chapter is intended to achieve the following goals:

(1) To continue to fully fund the public employees' retirement system plan II, the teachers' retirement system plans II and III, and the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II as provided by law;

(2) To fully amortize the total costs of the public employees' retirement system plan I, the teachers' retirement system plan I, and the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan I not later than June 30, 2024;

(3) To establish predictable long-term employer contribution rates which will remain a relatively constant proportion of the future state budgets; and

(4) To fund, to the extent feasible, benefit increases for plan I members and all benefits for plan II and III members over the working lives of those members so that the cost of those benefits are paid by the taxpayers who receive the benefit of those members' service.

Sec. 306. RCW 41.45.020 and 1989 c 273 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Council" means the economic and revenue forecast council created in RCW ((~~82.01.130~~)) 82.33.010.

(2) "Department" means the department of retirement systems.

(3) "Law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan I" and "law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II" mean((s)) the benefits and funding provisions ((~~covering persons who first became members of the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system prior to October 1, 1977.~~

(4) "Law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II" means the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first became members of the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system on or after October 1, 1977)) under chapter 41.26 RCW.

((~~(5)~~)) (4) "Public employees' retirement system plan I" ((~~means the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first became members of the public employees' retirement system prior to October 1, 1977.~~

(6) "Public employees' retirement system plan II" means the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first became members of the public employees' retirement system on or after October 1, 1977)) and "public employees' retirement system plan II" mean the benefits and funding provisions under chapter 41.40 RCW.

((~~(7)~~)) (5) "Teachers' retirement system plan I," "teachers' retirement system plan II," and "teachers' retirement system plan III" mean((s)) the benefits and funding provisions ((~~covering persons who first became members of the teachers' retirement system prior to October 1, 1977.~~

~~(8) "Teachers' retirement system plan II" means the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first became members of the teachers' retirement system on or after October 1, 1977~~)) under chapter 41.32 RCW.

((~~(9)~~)) (6) "Washington state patrol retirement system" means the retirement benefits provided under chapter 43.43 RCW.

(7) "Unfunded liability" means the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of a retirement system.

((~~(10)~~)) (8) "Actuary" or "state actuary" means the state actuary employed under chapter 44.44 RCW.

((~~(11)~~)) (9) "State retirement systems" means the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030.

*Sec. 307. RCW 41.45.030 and 1993 c 519 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Beginning September 1, ((~~1989~~)) 1995, and every ((~~six~~)) two years thereafter, the state actuary shall submit to the council information regarding the experience and financial condition of each state retirement system. The council shall review this and such other information as it may require.

(2) ((~~The council shall review the information submitted by the state actuary and~~)) By December 31, 1995, and every two years thereafter, the council, by affirmative vote of five councilmembers, shall adopt the following long-term economic assumptions:

(a) Growth in system membership;

(b) Growth in salaries, exclusive of merit or longevity increases;

(d) Investment rate of return.

(3) The council shall work with the department of retirement systems, the state actuary, and the executive director of the state investment board, and shall consider long-term historical averages, in developing the economic assumptions. The assumptions adopted by the council shall be used by the state actuary in conducting valuation studies of the state retirement systems.

((~~(3) The council may utilize information provided by the state actuary and such other information as it may request.~~))

*Sec. 307 was vetoed. See message at end of chapter.

Sec. 308. RCW 41.45.050 and 1989 c 273 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((~~Beginning September 1, 1990,~~)) Employers of members of the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, and the Washington state patrol retirement system shall make contributions to those systems based on the rates established in RCW 41.45.060 and 41.45.070.

(2) ((~~Beginning September 1, 1990,~~)) The state shall make contributions to the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system based on the rates established in RCW 41.45.060 and 41.45.070. The state treasurer shall transfer the required contributions each month on the basis of salary data provided by the department.

(3) ((~~Beginning September 1, 1990,~~)) The department shall bill employers, and the state shall make contributions to the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system, using the combined rates established in RCW 41.45.060 and 41.45.070 regardless of the level of pension funding provided in the biennial budget. Any member of an affected retirement system may, by mandamus or other appropriate proceeding, require the transfer and payment of funds as directed in this section.

(4) The contributions received for the public employees' retirement system shall be allocated between the public employees' retirement system plan I fund and public employees' retirement system plan II fund as follows: The contributions necessary to fully fund the public employees' retirement system plan II employer contribution required by RCW 41.40.650 shall first be deposited in the public employees' retirement system plan II fund. All remaining public employees' retirement system employer contributions shall be deposited in the public employees' retirement system plan I fund.

((The employer contributions for the teachers' retirement system, and the state contributions for the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system shall be allocated in the same manner as the public employees' retirement system and in accordance with the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II and the teachers' retirement system plan II contribution rates required by RCW 41.26.450 and 41.32.775 respectively)) (5) The contributions received for the teachers' retirement system shall be allocated between the plan I fund and the combined plan II and plan III fund as follows: The contributions necessary to fully fund the combined plan II and plan III employer contribution shall first be deposited in the combined plan II and plan III fund. All remaining teachers' retirement system employer contributions shall be deposited in the plan I fund.

(6) The contributions received under RCW 41.26.450 for the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system shall be allocated between the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan I and the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II fund as follows: The contributions necessary to fully fund the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II employer contributions shall be first deposited in the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II fund. All remaining law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system employer contributions shall be deposited in the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan I fund.

Sec. 309. RCW 41.45.060 and 1993 c 519 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((For the period of September 1, 1993, through August 31, 1995, the basic state contribution rate for the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system, and the basic employer contribution rates for the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, and the Washington state patrol retirement system shall be as determined in the 1991 valuations prepared by the office of the state actuary.)) The state actuary shall provide actuarial valuation results based on the assumptions adopted under RCW 41.45.030.

(2) Not later than September 30, ((~~1994~~)) 1996, and every two years thereafter((:

~~(a)~~)), consistent with the assumptions adopted under RCW 41.45.030, the council shall adopt ((~~the contributions to be used in the ensuing biennial period for the systems specified in subsection (1) of this section.~~

~~(b)~~)) both: (a) A basic state contribution rate for the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system; and (b) basic employer contribution rates for the public employees' retirement system plan I, the teachers' retirement system plan I, and the Washington state patrol retirement system to be used in the ensuing biennial period.

(3) The employer and state contribution rates adopted by the council shall be the level percentages of pay that are needed:

(a) To fully amortize the total costs of the public employees' retirement system plan I, the teachers' retirement system plan I, the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan I, and the unfunded liability of the Washington state patrol retirement system not later than June 30, 2024; and

(b) To also continue to fully fund the public employees' retirement system plan II, the teachers' retirement system plans II and III, and the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II in accordance with RCW 41.40.650, 41.26.450, and this section.

(4) The aggregate actuarial cost method shall be used to calculate a combined plan II and III employer contribution rate.

(5) The council shall immediately notify the directors of the office of financial management and department of retirement systems of the state and employer contribution rates adopted ((~~under (a) of this subsection~~)).

((~~(c)~~)) (6) The director of the department of retirement systems shall collect those rates adopted by the council ((~~under this chapter~~)).

Sec. 310. RCW 41.45.070 and 1990 c 18 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((~~Beginning September 1, 1991,~~)) In addition to the basic employer contribution rate established in RCW 41.45.060, the department shall also charge employers of public employees' retirement system, teachers' retirement system, or Washington state patrol retirement system members an additional supplemental rate to pay for the cost of additional benefits, if any, granted to members of those systems ((~~after January 1, 1990~~)). The supplemental contribution rates required by this section shall be calculated by the state actuary and shall be charged regardless of language to the contrary contained in the statute which authorizes additional benefits.

(2) ((~~Beginning September 1, 1991,~~)) In addition to the basic state contribution rate established in RCW 41.45.060 for the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system the department shall also establish a supplemental rate to pay for the cost of additional benefits, if any, granted to members of the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system ((~~after January 1, 1990~~)). This supplemental rate shall be calculated by the state actuary and the state treasurer shall transfer the additional required contributions regardless of language to the contrary contained in the statute which authorizes the additional benefits.

(3) The supplemental rate charged under this section to fund benefit increases provided to active members of the public employees' retirement system plan I, the teachers' retirement system plan I, the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan I, and Washington state patrol retirement system, shall be calculated as the level percentage of all members' pay needed to fund the cost of the benefit not later than June 30, 2024.

(4) The supplemental rate charged under this section to fund benefit increases provided to active and retired members of the public employees' retirement system plan II, the teachers' retirement system plan II and plan III, or the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II, shall be calculated as the level percentage of all members' pay needed to fund the cost of the benefit, as calculated under RCW 41.40.650, 41.32.775, or 41.26.450, respectively.

(5) The supplemental rate charged under this section to fund postretirement adjustments which are provided on a nonautomatic basis to current retirees shall be calculated as the percentage of pay needed to fund the adjustments as they are paid to the retirees. The supplemental rate charged under this section to fund automatic postretirement adjustments for active or retired members of the public employees' retirement system plan I and the teachers' retirement system plan I shall be calculated as the level percentage of pay needed to fund the cost of the automatic adjustments not later than June 30, 2024.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 311. A new section is added to chapter 41.45 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The required contribution rate for members of the plan II teachers' retirement system shall be fixed at the rates in effect on the effective date of this act, subject to the following:

(a) Beginning September 1, 1998, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the employee contribution rate shall not exceed the employer plan II and III rates adopted under RCW 41.45.060 and 41.45.070 for the teachers' retirement system;

(b) In addition, the employee contribution rate for plan II shall be increased by fifty percent of the contribution rate increase caused by any plan II benefit increase passed after the effective date of this act.

(2) The required plan II and III contribution rates for employers shall be adopted in the manner described in RCW 41.45.060.

Sec. 312. RCW 41.50.075 and 1991 c 35 s 108 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Two funds are hereby created and established in the state treasury to be known as the Washington law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' system plan I retirement fund, and the Washington law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' system plan II retirement fund which shall consist of all moneys paid into them in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and chapter 41.26 RCW, whether such moneys take the form of cash, securities, or other assets. The plan I fund shall consist of all moneys paid to finance the benefits provided to members of the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan I, and the plan II fund shall consist of all moneys paid to finance the benefits provided to members of the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan II.

(2) All of the assets of the Washington state teachers' retirement system shall be credited according to the purposes for which they are held, to two funds to be maintained in the state treasury, namely, the teachers' retirement system plan I fund and the teachers' retirement system combined plan II and III fund. The plan I fund shall consist of all moneys paid to finance the benefits provided to members of the Washington state teachers' retirement system plan I, and the combined plan II and III fund shall consist of all moneys paid to finance the benefits provided to members of the Washington state teachers' retirement system plan II and III.

(3) There is hereby established in the state treasury two separate funds, namely the public employees' retirement system plan I fund and the public employees' ((~~[retirement system]~~)) retirement system plan II fund. The plan I fund shall consist of all moneys paid to finance the benefits provided to members of the public employees' retirement system plan I, and the plan II fund shall consist of all moneys paid to finance the benefits provided to members of the public employees' retirement system plan II.

(4) There is hereby established in the state treasury the plan III defined contribution fund which shall consist of all contributions and earnings paid on behalf of members, except as otherwise provided.

Sec. 313. RCW 41.50.110 and 1990 c 8 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the retirement system expense fund is hereby redesignated as the department of retirement systems expense fund from which shall be paid the expenses of the administration of the department and the expenses of administration of the retirement systems created in chapters 2.10, 2.12, 41.26, 41.32, 41.40, 41.-- (sections 201 through 209 of this act), and 43.43 RCW.

(2) In order to reimburse the department of retirement systems expense fund on an equitable basis the department shall ascertain and report to each employer, as defined in RCW 41.26.030, 41.32.010, or 41.40.010, the sum necessary to defray its proportional share of the entire expense of the administration of the retirement system that the employer participates in during the ensuing biennium or fiscal year whichever may be required. Such sum is to be computed in an amount directly proportional to the estimated entire expense of the administration as the ratio of monthly salaries of the employer's members bears to the total salaries of all members in the entire system. It shall then be the duty of all such employers to include in their budgets or otherwise provide the amounts so required.

(3) The department shall compute and bill each employer, as defined in RCW 41.26.030, 41.32.010, or 41.40.010, at the end of each month for the amount due for that month to the department of retirement systems expense fund and the same shall be paid as are its other obligations. Such computation as to each employer shall be made on a percentage rate of salary established by the department. However, the department may at its discretion establish a system of billing based upon calendar year quarters in which event the said billing shall be at the end of each such quarter.

(4) The director may adjust the expense fund contribution rate for each system at any time when necessary to reflect unanticipated costs or savings in administering the department.

((~~(3) All employers shall pay a standard fee to the department to cover the cost of administering the system.~~)) (5) An employer who fails to submit timely and accurate reports to the department may be assessed an additional fee related to the increased costs incurred by the department in processing the deficient reports. Fees paid under this subsection shall be deposited in the retirement system expense fund.

(a) Every six months the department shall determine the amount of an employer's fee by reviewing the timeliness and accuracy of the reports submitted by the employer in the preceding six months. If those reports were not both timely and accurate the department may prospectively assess an additional fee under this subsection.

(b) An additional fee assessed by the department under this subsection shall not exceed fifty percent of the standard fee.

(6) Expenses incurred pursuant to section 206 of this act shall be deducted from the defined contribution fund in accordance with rules established by the board under section 302 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 314. A new section is added to chapter 41.50 RCW to read as follows:

(1) "Employee" as used in this section and section 315 of this act includes all full-time, part-time, and career seasonal employees of the state, a county, a municipality, or other political subdivision of the state, whether or not covered by civil service; elected and appointed officials of the executive branch of the government, including full-time members of boards, commissions, or committees; justices of the supreme court and judges of the court of appeals and of the superior and district courts; and members of the state legislature or of the legislative authority of any county, city, or town.

(2) The state, through the department, and any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state acting through its principal supervising official or governing body is authorized to contract with an employee to defer a portion of that employee's income, which deferred portion shall in no event exceed the amount allowable under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 457, and deposit or invest such deferred portion in a credit union, savings and loan association, bank, or mutual savings bank or purchase life insurance, shares of an investment company, or fixed and/or variable annuity contracts from any insurance company or any investment company licensed to contract business in this state.

(3) The department can provide such plans as the employee retirement benefits board, established under section 301 of this act, deems are in the interests of state employees. In addition to the types of investments described in this section, the department may invest the deferred portion of an employee's income, without limitation as to amount, in any of the class of investments described in RCW 43.84.150 as in effect on January 1, 1981. Any income deferred under such a plan shall continue to be included as regular compensation, for the purpose of computing the state or local retirement and pension benefits earned by any employee.

(4) Coverage of an employee under a deferred compensation plan under this section shall not render such employee ineligible for simultaneous membership and participation in any pension system for public employees.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 315. A new section is added to chapter 41.50 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The deferred compensation principal account is hereby created in the state treasury. Any deficiency in the deferred compensation administrative account caused by an excess of administrative expenses disbursed from that account over earnings of investments of balances credited to that account shall be eliminated by transferring moneys to that account from the deferred compensation principal account.

(2) The amount of compensation deferred by employees under agreements entered into under the authority contained in section 314 of this act shall be paid into the deferred compensation principal account and shall be sufficient to cover costs of administration and staffing in addition to such other amounts as determined by the department. The deferred compensation principal account shall be used to carry out the purposes of section 314 of this act. All eligible state employees shall be given the opportunity to participate in agreements entered into by the department under section 314 of this act. State agencies shall cooperate with the department in providing employees with the opportunity to participate.

(3) Any county, municipality, or other subdivision of the state may elect to participate in any agreements entered into by the department under section 314 of this act, including the making of payments therefrom to the employees participating in a deferred compensation plan upon their separation from state or other qualifying service. Accordingly, the deferred compensation principal account shall be considered to be a public pension or retirement fund within the meaning of Article XXIX, section 1 of the state Constitution, for the purpose of determining eligible investments and deposits of the moneys therein.

(4) All moneys in the deferred compensation principal account, all property and rights purchased therewith, and all income attributable thereto, shall remain (until made available to the participating employee or other beneficiary) solely the money, property, and rights of the state and participating counties, municipalities, and subdivisions (without being restricted to the provision of benefits under the plan) subject only to the claims of the state's and participating jurisdictions' general creditors. Participating jurisdictions shall each retain property rights separately.

(5) The state investment board, at the request of the employee retirement benefits board as established under section 301 of this act, is authorized to invest moneys in the deferred compensation principal account in accordance with RCW 43.84.150. Except as provided in RCW 43.33A.160, one hundred percent of all earnings from these investments shall accrue directly to the deferred compensation principal account.

(6) The deferred compensation administrative account is hereby created in the state treasury. All expenses of the department pertaining to the deferred compensation plan including staffing and administrative expenses shall be paid out of the deferred compensation administrative account. Any excess of earnings of investments of balances credited to this account over administrative expenses disbursed from this account shall be transferred to the deferred compensation principal account. Any deficiency in the deferred compensation administrative account caused by an excess of administrative expenses disbursed from this account over earnings of investments of balances credited to this account shall be transferred to this account from the deferred compensation principal account.

(7) In addition to the duties specified in this section and section 314 of this act, the department shall administer the salary reduction plan established in RCW 41.04.600 through 41.04.645.

(8) The department shall keep or cause to be kept full and adequate accounts and records of the assets, obligations, transactions, and affairs of any deferred compensation plans created under section 314 of this act and this section.

(9) The department shall file an annual report of the financial condition, transactions, and affairs of the deferred compensation plans under its jurisdiction. A copy of the annual report shall be filed with the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the governor, and the state auditor.

(10) Members of the employee retirement benefits board established under section 301 of this act shall be deemed to stand in a fiduciary relationship to the employees participating in the deferred compensation plans created under section 314 of this act and this section and shall discharge the duties of their respective positions in good faith and with that diligence, care, and skill which ordinary prudent persons would exercise under similar circumstances in like positions.

(11) The department may adopt rules necessary to carry out the purposes of section 314 of this act and this section.

Sec. 316. RCW 41.50.030 and 1975‑'76 2nd ex.s. c 105 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) As soon as possible but not more than one hundred and eighty days after March 19, 1976, there is transferred to the department of retirement systems, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all powers, duties, and functions of:

((~~(1)~~)) (a) The Washington public employees' retirement system ((~~and the retirement board thereof~~));

((~~(2)~~)) (b) The Washington state teachers' retirement system ((~~and the board of trustees thereof~~));

((~~(3)~~)) (c) The Washington law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system ((~~and the retirement board thereof~~));

((~~(4)~~)) (d) The Washington state patrol retirement system ((~~and the retirement board thereof~~));

((~~(5)~~)) (e) The Washington judicial retirement system ((~~and the retirement board thereof~~)); and

((~~(6)~~)) (f) The state treasurer with respect to the administration of the judges' retirement fund imposed pursuant to chapter 2.12 RCW.

(2) On the effective date of this act there is transferred to the department all powers, duties, and functions of the deferred compensation committee.

(3) The department shall administer sections 201 through 209 of this act.

Sec. 317. RCW 41.50.050 and 1993 c 61 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The director shall:

(1) Have the authority to organize the department into not more than ((~~three~~)) four divisions, each headed by an assistant director;

(2) Have free access to all files and records of various funds assigned to the department and inspect and audit the files and records as deemed necessary;

(3) Employ personnel to carry out the general administration of the department;

(4) Submit an annual written report of the activities of the department to the governor and the chairs of the appropriate legislative committees with one copy to the staff of each of the committees, including recommendations for statutory changes the director believes to be desirable;

(5) Adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the powers, duties, and functions of the department pursuant to the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.

Sec. 318. RCW 41.50.060 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 105 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

The director may delegate the performance of such powers, duties, and functions, other than those relating to rule making, to employees of the department, but the director shall remain and be responsible for the official acts of the employees of the department.

The director shall be responsible for the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, the judicial retirement system, the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system, and the Washington state patrol retirement system. The director shall also be responsible for the deferred compensation program.

Sec. 319. RCW 41.54.030 and 1990 c 192 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A dual member(('s)) may combine service in all systems ((~~may be combined~~)) for the ((~~sole~~)) purpose of:

(a) Determining the member's eligibility to receive a service retirement allowance; and

(b) Qualifying for a benefit under section 115(3) of this act.

(2) A dual member who is eligible to retire under any system may elect to retire from all the member's systems and to receive service retirement allowances calculated as provided in this section. Each system shall calculate the allowance using its own criteria except that the member shall be allowed to substitute the member's base salary from any system as the compensation used in calculating the allowance.

(3) The service retirement allowances from a system which, but for this section, would not be allowed to be paid at this date based on the dual member's age shall be either actuarially adjusted from the earliest age upon which the combined service would have made such dual member eligible in that system, or the dual member may choose to defer the benefit until fully eligible.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 320. A new section is added to chapter 41.54 RCW to read as follows:

Any dual member who elects to transfer under section 303 of this act may subject to the provisions of this chapter:

(1) Similarly transfer any other prior plan II service credit to plan III of the same retirement system; or

(2) Combine service credit in all systems for purposes of vesting pursuant to section 303(1)(c) of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 321. A new section is added to chapter 43.33A RCW to read as follows:

Pursuant to section 302 of this act, the state investment board, at the request of the employee retirement benefits board, is authorized to offer investment options for self-directed investment under plan III.

Sec. 322. RCW 41.04.440 and 1984 c 227 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The sole purpose of RCW 41.04.445 and 41.04.450 is to allow the members of the retirement systems created in chapters 2.10, 2.12, 41.26, 41.32, 41.40, 41.-- (sections 201 through 209 of this act), and 43.43 RCW to enjoy the tax deferral benefits allowed under 26 USC 414(h). This act does not alter in any manner the provisions of RCW 41.26.450((~~, 41.32.775~~)) and 41.40.650 which require that the member contribution rates shall be set so as to provide fifty percent of the cost((s)) of the respective retirement plans.

(2) Should the legislature revoke any benefit allowed under ((~~this act~~)) 26 U.S.C. 414(h), no affected employee shall be entitled thereafter to receive such benefit as a matter of contractual right.

Sec. 323. RCW 41.04.445 and 1992 c 212 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) This section applies to all members who are:

(a) Judges under the retirement system established under chapter 2.10, 2.12, or 2.14 RCW;

(b) Employees of the state under the retirement system established by chapter 41.32, 41.40, or 43.43 RCW;

(c) Employees of school districts under the retirement system established by chapter 41.32 or 41.40 RCW, except for substitute teachers as defined by RCW 41.32.010;

(d) Employees of educational service districts under the retirement system established by chapter 41.32 or 41.40 RCW; or

(e) Employees of community college districts under the retirement system established by chapter 41.32 or 41.40 RCW.

(2) Only for compensation earned after the effective date of the implementation of this section and as provided by section 414(h) of the federal internal revenue code, the employer of all the members specified in subsection (1) of this section shall pick up only those member contributions as required under:

(a) RCW 2.10.090(1);

(b) RCW 2.12.060;

(d) RCW 41.32.263;

(e) RCW 41.32.350;

(f) ((~~RCW 41.32.775;~~

~~(g)~~)) RCW 41.40.330 (1) and (3);

((~~(h)~~)) (g) RCW 41.40.650; ((~~and~~

~~(i)~~)) (h) Section 207 of this act;

(i) RCW 43.43.300; and

(j) Section 204 of this act.

(3) Only for the purposes of federal income taxation, the gross income of the member shall be reduced by the amount of the contribution to the respective retirement system picked up by the employer.

(4) All member contributions to the respective retirement system picked up by the employer as provided by this section, plus the accrued interest earned thereon, shall be paid to the member upon the withdrawal of funds or lump-sum payment of accumulated contributions as provided under the provisions of the retirement systems.

(5) At least forty-five days prior to implementing this section, the employer shall provide:

(a) A complete explanation of the effects of this section to all members; and

(b) Notification of such implementation to the director of the department of retirement systems.

Sec. 324. RCW 41.04.450 and 1985 c 13 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Employers of those members under chapters 41.26 ((~~and~~)), 41.40, and 41.-- (sections 201 through 209 of this act) RCW who are not specified in RCW 41.04.445 may choose to implement the employer pick up of all member contributions without exception under RCW 41.26.080(1), 41.26.450, 41.40.330(1), ((~~and~~)) 41.40.650, and chapter 41.-- RCW (sections 201 through 209 of this act). If the employer does so choose, the employer and members shall be subject to the conditions and limitations of RCW 41.04.445 (3), (4), and (5) and RCW 41.04.455.

(2) An employer exercising the option under this section may later choose to withdraw from and/or reestablish the employer pick up of member contributions only once in a calendar year following forty-five days prior notice to the director of the department of retirement systems.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 325. The benefits provided pursuant to this act are not provided to employees as a matter of contractual right prior to the effective date of this act. The legislature retains the right to alter or abolish these benefits at any time prior to the date this act becomes effective.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 326. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) RCW 41.04.250 and 1981 c 256 s 2, 1975 1st ex.s. c 274 s 2, 1973 1st ex.s. c 99 s 1, 1972 ex.s. c 19 s 1, & 1971 ex.s. c 264 s 1;

(2) RCW 41.04.255 and 1991 c 249 s 2 & 1982 c 107 s 2;

(3) RCW 41.04.260 and 1993 c 34 s 2 & 1991 sp.s. c 13 s 101;

(4) RCW 41.32.775 and 1990 c 274 s 9, 1989 c 273 s 19, 1986 c 268 s 2, 1984 c 184 s 11, & 1977 ex.s. c 293 s 6;

(5) RCW 41.45.040 and 1993 c 519 s 18 & 1989 c 273 s 4;

(6) RCW 41.45.0601 and 1993 c 519 s 20 & 1992 c 239 s 1;

(7) RCW 41.45.901 and 1989 c 273 s 33;

(8) RCW 41.50.032 and 1984 c 184 s 15 & 1982 c 163 s 9; and

(9) RCW 41.50.250 and 1991 c 35 s 72, 1989 c 273 s 21, 1981 c 3 s 32, 1969 c 128 s 4, 1963 c 174 s 6, 1955 c 220 s 2, 1953 c 200 s 3, 1949 c 240 s 5, & 1947 c 274 s 9.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 327. This act shall take effect July 1, 1996.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 328. Part headings and subchapter headings as used in this act constitute no part of the law.