CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2391

Chapter 491, Laws of 2007

60th Legislature
2007 Regular Session



GAIN-SHARING--ALTERNATE PENSION BENEFITS



EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/22/07 - Except sections 1, 3, and 7, which become effective 07/01/07.

Passed by the House April 21, 2007
  Yeas 52   Nays 45

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


Passed by the Senate April 22, 2007
  Yeas 26   Nays 21


BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate		 
CERTIFICATE

I, Richard Nafziger, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2391 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.


RICHARD NAFZIGER
________________________________________    
Chief Clerk
Approved May 15, 2007, 2:29 p.m.








CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington		 
FILED
May 16, 2007







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2391
_____________________________________________

Passed Legislature - 2007 Regular Session
State of Washington60th Legislature2007 Regular Session

By Representatives Fromhold, Conway and Moeller

Read first time 03/19/2007.   Referred to Committee on Appropriations.



     AN ACT Relating to retirement system gain-sharing and alternate benefits; amending RCW 41.31A.020, 41.32.765, 41.32.835, 41.32.875, 41.35.420, 41.35.610, 41.35.680, 41.40.630, 41.40.820, and 41.45.070; adding a new section to chapter 41.32 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.40 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 41.31.010, 41.31.020, 41.31.030, 41.31A.010, 41.31A.020, 41.31A.030, and 41.31A.040; providing effective dates; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 41.31A.020 and 2003 c 294 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) On January 1, 2004, and on January 1st of even-numbered years thereafter, the member account of a person meeting the requirements of this section shall be credited by the extraordinary investment gain amount.
     (2) The following persons, hired prior to July 1, 2007, shall be eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section:
     (a) Any member of the teachers' retirement system plan 3, the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 3, or the public employees' retirement system plan 3 who earned service credit during the twelve-month period from September 1st to August 31st immediately preceding the distribution and had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution; or
     (b) Any person in receipt of a benefit pursuant to RCW 41.32.875, 41.35.680, or 41.40.820; or
     (c) Any person who is a retiree pursuant to RCW 41.34.020(8) and who:
     (i) Completed ten service credit years; or
     (ii) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service months after attaining age fifty-four; or
     (d) Any teacher who is a retiree pursuant to RCW 41.34.020(8) and who has completed five service credit years by July 1, 1996, under plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.32.817; or
     (e) Any classified employee who is a retiree pursuant to RCW 41.34.020(8) and who has completed five service credit years by September 1, 2000, and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.35.510; or
     (f) Any public employee who is a retiree pursuant to RCW 41.34.020(8) and who has completed five service credit years by March 1, 2002, and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.40.795; or
     (g) Any person who had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution and who:
     (i) Completed ten service credit years; or
     (ii) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service months after attaining age fifty-four; or
     (h) Any teacher who had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution and who has completed five service credit years by July 1, 1996, under plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.32.817; or
     (i) Any classified employee who had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution and who has completed five service credit years by September 1, 2000, and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.35.510; or
     (j) Any public employee who had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution and who has completed five service credit years by March 1, 2002, and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.40.795.
     (3) The extraordinary investment gain amount shall be calculated as follows:
     (a) One-half of the sum of the value of the net assets held in trust for pension benefits in the teachers' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund, the Washington school employees' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund, and the public employees' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund at the close of the previous state fiscal year not including the amount attributable to member accounts;
     (b) Multiplied by the amount which the compound average of investment returns on those assets over the previous four state fiscal years exceeds ten percent;
     (c) Multiplied by the proportion of:
     (i) The sum of the service credit on August 31st of the previous year of all persons eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section; to
     (ii) The sum of the service credit on August 31st of the previous year of:
     (A) All persons eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section;
     (B) Any person who earned service credit in the teachers' retirement system plan 2, the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2, or the public employees' retirement system plan 2 during the twelve-month period from September 1st to August 31st immediately preceding the distribution;
     (C) Any person in receipt of a benefit pursuant to RCW 41.32.765, 41.35.420, or 41.40.630; and
     (D) Any person with five or more years of service in the teachers' retirement system plan 2, the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2, or the public employees' retirement system plan 2;
     (d) Divided proportionally among persons eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section on the basis of their service credit total on August 31st of the previous year.
     (4) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to receive this distribution not granted prior to that time.

Sec. 2   RCW 41.32.765 and 2000 c 247 s 902 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member with at least five service credit years of service who has attained at least age sixty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.32.760.
     (2) EARLY RETIREMENT. Any member who has completed at least twenty service credit years of service who has attained at least age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.32.760, 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.
     (3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT.
     (a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.32.760, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.
     (b) On or after September 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.32.760, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows:

Retirement
Age		Percent
Reduction
5520%
5617%
5714%
5811%
598%
605%
612%
620%
630%
640%

     Any member who retires under the provisions of this subsection is ineligible for the postretirement employment provisions of RCW 41.32.802(2) until the retired member has reached sixty-five years of age. For purposes of this subsection, employment with an employer also includes any personal service contract, service by an employer as a temporary or project employee, or any other similar compensated relationship with any employer included under the provisions of RCW 41.32.800(1).
     The subsidized reductions for alternate early retirement in this subsection as set forth in section 2, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 were intended by the legislature as replacement benefits for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to retire under this subsection is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this subsection. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, eligible members may still retire under this subsection, and upon receipt of the first installment of a retirement allowance computed under this subsection, the resulting benefit becomes contractual for the recipient. If the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then retirement benefits for any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five but has not yet received the first installment of a retirement allowance under this subsection shall be computed using the reductions in (a) of this subsection.

Sec. 3   RCW 41.32.835 and 1995 c 239 s 105 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All teachers who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, ((1996, shall be members of plan 3)) 2007, shall have a period of ninety days to make an irrevocable choice to become a member of plan 2 or plan 3. At the end of ninety days, if the member has not made a choice to become a member of plan 2, he or she becomes a member of plan 3.
     (2) For administrative efficiency, until a member elects to become a member of plan 3, or becomes a member of plan 3 by default under subsection (1) of this section, the member shall be reported to the department in plan 2, with member and employer contributions. Upon becoming a member of plan 3 by election or by default, all service credit shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined benefit, and all employee accumulated contributions shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined contribution account.
     (3) The plan choice provision as set forth in section 3, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 was intended by the legislature as a replacement benefit for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to plan choice under this section is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, all teachers who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2007, may choose either plan 2 or plan 3 under this section. If the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then all teachers who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after the date of such reinstatement shall be members of plan 3.

Sec. 4   RCW 41.32.875 and 2006 c 33 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member who is at least age sixty-five and who has:
     (a) Completed ten service credit years; or
     (b) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service credit months after attaining age forty-four; or
     (c) Completed five service credit years by July 1, 1996, under plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.32.817;
shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.32.840.
     (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 RCW 41.32.840, 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.
     (3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT.
     (a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.32.840, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.
     (b) On or after September 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.32.840, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows:

Retirement
Age		Percent
Reduction
5520%
5617%
5714%
5811%
598%
605%
612%
620%
630%
640%

     Any member who retires under the provisions of this subsection is ineligible for the postretirement employment provisions of RCW 41.32.862(2) until the retired member has reached sixty-five years of age. For purposes of this subsection, employment with an employer also includes any personal service contract, service by an employer as a temporary or project employee, or any other similar compensated relationship with any employer included under the provisions of RCW 41.32.860(1).
     The subsidized reductions for alternate early retirement in this subsection as set forth in section 4, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 were intended by the legislature as replacement benefits for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to retire under this subsection is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this subsection. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, eligible members may still retire under this subsection, and upon receipt of the first installment of a retirement allowance computed under this subsection, the resulting benefit becomes contractual for the recipient. If the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then retirement benefits for any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five but has not yet received the first installment of a retirement allowance under this subsection shall be computed using the reductions in (a) of this subsection.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 41.32 RCW under the subchapter heading "plan 1" to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning July 1, 2009, the annual increase amount as defined in RCW 41.32.010(46) shall be increased by an amount equal to $0.40 per month per year of service minus the 2008 gain-sharing increase amount under RCW 41.31.010 as it exists on the effective date of this section. This adjustment shall not decrease the annual increase amount, and is not to exceed $0.20 per month per year of service. The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has the contractual right to receive this adjustment to the annual increase amount not granted prior to that time.
     (2) The adjustment to the annual increase amount as set forth in section 5, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 was intended by the legislature as a replacement benefit for gain-sharing. If the repeal of chapter 41.31 RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then this adjustment to the annual increase amount shall not be included in future annual increase amounts paid on or after the date of such reinstatement.

Sec. 6   RCW 41.35.420 and 2000 c 247 s 905 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member with at least five service credit years who has attained at least age sixty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.400.
     (2) EARLY RETIREMENT. Any member who has completed at least twenty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.400, 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.
     (3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT.
     (a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.400, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.
     (b) On or after September 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.400, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows:

Retirement
Age		Percent
Reduction
5520%
5617%
5714%
5811%
598%
605%
612%
620%
630%
640%

     Any member who retires under the provisions of this subsection is ineligible for the postretirement employment provisions of RCW 41.35.060(2) until the retired member has reached sixty-five years of age. For purposes of this subsection, employment with an employer also includes any personal service contract, service by an employer as a temporary or project employee, or any other similar compensated relationship with any employer included under the provisions of RCW 41.35.230(1).
     The subsidized reductions for alternate early retirement in this subsection as set forth in section 6, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 were intended by the legislature as replacement benefits for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to retire under this subsection is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this subsection. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, eligible members may still retire under this subsection, and upon receipt of the first installment of a retirement allowance computed under this subsection, the resulting benefit becomes contractual for the recipient. If the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then retirement benefits for any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five but has not yet received the first installment of a retirement allowance under this subsection shall be computed using the reductions in (a) of this subsection.

Sec. 7   RCW 41.35.610 and 1998 c 341 s 202 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All classified employees who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after ((September 1, 2000, shall be members of plan 3)) July 1, 2007, shall have a period of ninety days to make an irrevocable choice to become a member of plan 2 or plan 3. At the end of ninety days, if the member has not made a choice to become a member of plan 2, he or she becomes a member of plan 3.
     (2) For administrative efficiency, until a member elects to become a member of plan 3, or becomes a member of plan 3 by default under subsection (1) of this section, the member shall be reported to the department in plan 2, with member and employer contributions. Upon becoming a member of plan 3 by election or by default, all service credit shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined benefit, and all employee accumulated contributions shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined contribution account.
     (3) The plan choice provision as set forth in section 7, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 was intended by the legislature as a replacement benefit for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to plan choice under this section is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, all classified employees who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2007, may choose either plan 2 or plan 3 under this section. If the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then all classified employees who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after the date of such reinstatement shall be members of plan 3.

Sec. 8   RCW 41.35.680 and 2006 c 33 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member who is at least age sixty-five and who has:
     (a) Completed ten service credit years; or
     (b) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service credit months after attaining age forty-four; or
     (c) Completed five service credit years by September 1, 2000, under the public employees' retirement system plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.35.510;
shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.620.
     (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 RCW 41.35.620, 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.
     (3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT.
     (a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.620, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.
     (b) On or after September 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.620, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows:

Retirement
Age		Percent
Reduction
5520%
5617%
5714%
5811%
598%
605%
612%
620%
630%
640%

     Any member who retires under the provisions of this subsection is ineligible for the postretirement employment provisions of RCW 41.35.060(2) until the retired member has reached sixty-five years of age. For purposes of this subsection, employment with an employer also includes any personal service contract, service by an employer as a temporary or project employee, or any other similar compensated relationship with any employer included under the provisions of RCW 41.35.230(1).
     The subsidized reductions for alternate early retirement in this subsection as set forth in section 8, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 were intended by the legislature as replacement benefits for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to retire under this subsection is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this subsection. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, eligible members may still retire under this subsection, and upon receipt of the first installment of a retirement allowance computed under this subsection, the resulting benefit becomes contractual for the recipient. If the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then retirement benefits for any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five but has not yet received the first installment of a retirement allowance under this subsection shall be computed using the reductions in (a) of this subsection.

Sec. 9   RCW 41.40.630 and 2000 c 247 s 901 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member with at least five service credit years who has attained at least age sixty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620.
     (2) EARLY RETIREMENT. Any member who has completed at least twenty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620, 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.
     (3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT.
     (a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.
     (b) On or after July 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows:

Retirement
Age		Percent
Reduction
5520%
5617%
5714%
5811%
598%
605%
612%
620%
630%
640%

     Any member who retires under the provisions of this subsection is ineligible for the postretirement employment provisions of RCW 41.40.037(2)(d) until the retired member has reached sixty-five years of age. For purposes of this subsection, employment with an employer also includes any personal service contract, service by an employer as a temporary or project employee, or any other similar compensated relationship with any employer included under the provisions of RCW 41.40.690(1).
     The subsidized reductions for alternate early retirement in this subsection as set forth in section 9, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 were intended by the legislature as replacement benefits for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to retire under this subsection is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this subsection. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, eligible members may still retire under this subsection, and upon receipt of the first installment of a retirement allowance computed under this subsection, the resulting benefit becomes contractual for the recipient. If the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then retirement benefits for any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five but has not yet received the first installment of a retirement allowance under this subsection shall be computed using the reductions in (a) of this subsection.

Sec. 10   RCW 41.40.820 and 2006 c 33 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member who is at least age sixty-five and who has:
     (a) Completed ten service credit years; or
     (b) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service credit months after attaining age forty-four; or
     (c) Completed five service credit years by the transfer payment date specified in RCW 41.40.795, under the public employees' retirement system plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.40.795;
shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.790.
     (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 RCW 41.40.790, 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.
     (3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT.
     (a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.790, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.
     (b) On or after July 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.790, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows:

Retirement
Age		Percent
Reduction
5520%
5617%
5714%
5811%
598%
605%
612%
620%
630%
640%

     Any member who retires under the provisions of this subsection is ineligible for the postretirement employment provisions of RCW 41.40.037(2)(d) until the retired member has reached sixty-five years of age. For purposes of this subsection, employment with an employer also includes any personal service contract, service by an employer as a temporary or project employee, or any other similar compensated relationship with any employer included under the provisions of RCW 41.40.850(1).
     The subsidized reductions for alternate early retirement in this subsection as set forth in section 10, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 were intended by the legislature as replacement benefits for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to retire under this subsection is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this subsection. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, eligible members may still retire under this subsection, and upon receipt of the first installment of a retirement allowance computed under this subsection, the resulting benefit becomes contractual for the recipient. If the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then retirement benefits for any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five but has not yet received the first installment of a retirement allowance under this subsection shall be computed using the reductions in (a) of this subsection.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   A new section is added to chapter 41.40 RCW under the subchapter heading "plan 1" to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning July 1, 2009, the annual increase amount as defined in RCW 41.40.010(41) shall be increased by an amount equal to $0.40 per month per year of service minus the 2008 gain-sharing increase amount under RCW 41.31.010 as it exists on the effective date of this section. This adjustment shall not decrease the annual increase amount, and is not to exceed $0.20 per month per year of service. The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has the contractual right to receive this adjustment to the annual increase amount not granted prior to that time.
     (2) The adjustment to the annual increase amount as set forth in section 11, chapter . . . (this act), Laws of 2007 was intended by the legislature as a replacement benefit for gain-sharing. If the repeal of chapter 41.31 RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then this adjustment to the annual increase amount shall not be included in future annual increase amounts paid on or after the date of such reinstatement.

Sec. 12   RCW 41.45.070 and 2006 c 94 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In addition to the basic employer contribution rate established in RCW 41.45.060 or 41.45.054, the department shall also charge employers of public employees' retirement system, teachers' retirement system, school employees' retirement system, public safety employees' 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. Except as provided in subsections (6) ((and)), (7), and (9) of this section, 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) In addition to the basic member, employer, and state contribution rate established in RCW 41.45.0604 for the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2, the department shall also establish supplemental rates to pay for the cost of additional benefits, if any, granted to members of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, these supplemental rates shall be calculated by the actuary retained by the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' board and the state actuary through the process provided in RCW 41.26.720(1)(a) 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 1, the teachers' retirement system plan 1, 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 2 and plan 3, the teachers' retirement system plan 2 and plan 3, the public safety employees' retirement system plan 2, or the school employees' retirement system plan 2 and plan 3 shall be calculated as the level percentage of all members' pay needed to fund the cost of the benefit, as calculated under RCW 41.45.060, 41.45.061, or 41.45.067.
     (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 1 and the teachers' retirement system plan 1 shall be calculated as the level percentage of pay needed to fund the cost of the automatic adjustments not later than June 30, 2024.
     (6) A supplemental rate shall not be charged to pay for the cost of additional benefits granted to members pursuant to chapter 340, Laws of 1998.
     (7) A supplemental rate shall not be charged to pay for the cost of additional benefits granted to members pursuant to chapter 41.31A RCW; section 309, chapter 341, Laws of 1998; or section 701, chapter 341, Laws of 1998.
     (8) A supplemental rate shall not be charged to pay for the cost of additional benefits granted to members and survivors pursuant to chapter 94, Laws of 2006.
     (9) A supplemental rate shall not be charged to pay for the cost of the additional benefits granted to members of the teachers' retirement system and the school employees' retirement system plans 2 and 3 in sections 2, 4, 6, and 8 of this act until September 1, 2008. A supplemental rate shall not be charged to pay for the cost of the additional benefits granted to members of the public employees' retirement system plans 2 and 3 under sections 9 and 10 of this act until July 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed, effective January 2, 2008:
     (1) RCW 41.31.010 (Annual pension increases -- Increased by gain-sharing increase amount) and 1998 c 340 s 1;
     (2) RCW 41.31.020 (Gain-sharing increase amount calculated) and 1998 c 340 s 2;
     (3) RCW 41.31.030 (Contractual right to increase not granted) and 1998 c 340 s 3;
     (4) RCW 41.31A.010 (Definitions) and 2000 c 247 s 407 & 1998 c 341 s 311;
     (5) RCW 41.31A.020 (Extraordinary investment gain -- Credited to member accounts -- Persons eligible -- Calculation of amount -- Contractual right not granted) and 2003 c 294 s 4, 2000 c 247 s 408, & 1998 c 341 s 312;
     (6) RCW 41.31A.030 (Retroactive extraordinary investment gain -- Credited to member accounts -- Persons eligible -- Calculation of amount -- Contractual right not granted) and 1998 c 341 s 313; and
     (7) RCW 41.31A.040 (Retroactive extraordinary investment gain -- Credited to member accounts -- Persons eligible -- Calculation of amount -- Contractual right not granted) and 2000 c 247 s 409.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14   If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with a final determination by the federal internal revenue service that is a prescribed condition to favorable tax treatment of one or more of the retirement plans, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the individual members directly affected. This finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the members concerned. The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this act in the future as may be required to comply with a final federal determination that amendment or repeal is necessary to maintain the favorable tax treatment of a plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15   The new benefits provided pursuant to sections 2(3)(b), 4(3)(b), 6(3)(b), and 8(3)(b) of this act are not provided to employees as a matter of contractual right prior to September 1, 2008, and will not become a contractual right thereafter if the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law. The legislature retains the right to alter or abolish these benefits at any time prior to September 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16   The new benefits provided pursuant to sections 9(3)(b) and 10(3)(b) of this act are not provided to employees as a matter of contractual right prior to July 1, 2008, and will not become a contractual right thereafter if the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law. The legislature retains the right to alter or abolish these benefits at any time prior to July 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   Any action brought under this act must be commenced within three years after the effective date of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 18   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 19   Sections 1, 3, and 7 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 2007.


         Passed by the House April 21, 2007.
         Passed by the Senate April 22, 2007.
         Approved by the Governor May 15, 2007.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 16, 2007.