Section 21. Members' contributions and their use; annuity savings fund  


Latest version.
  • a.
      The annuity savings fund shall be the fund in which shall be accumulated
      all contributions made by members to provide  for  their  annuities  and
      their withdrawal allowances.
        b.  Upon  the  basis  of tables adopted by the comptroller and regular
      interest, the actuary shall determine the rate of contribution for  each
      member. Such rate shall be computed as the constant proportion of annual
      compensation  which,  when  deducted  from each payment of such member's
      prospective earnable compensation until he shall attain age sixty, would
      provide, at that time, an annuity equal to one-one hundred  fortieth  of
      his  final  average  salary for each year of member service for which he
      shall be entitled to credit.  This method of computation of  a  member's
      rate of contribution shall be appropriately modified in case of a member
      for whom such a rate is otherwise fixed pursuant to any other section of
      this article.
        c. The rate of contribution of a member who is over age fifty-nine, at
      the  time of his last becoming a member, shall be the same as if his age
      were fifty-nine.
        d. The comptroller shall certify each member's rate of contribution to
      his employer. Each employer by whom a member is  employed  shall  deduct
      from  the  compensation  of  such  member, on each payroll and for every
      payroll period, the proportion of such member's compensation based  upon
      his rate of contribution. In determining the amount earnable by a member
      in  a  payroll  period,  the comptroller may consider the rate of annual
      compensation payable  to  such  member  on  the  first  day  thereof  as
      continuing  throughout  such  period. If an employee was not a member on
      the first day of a payroll period, deductions from compensation for such
      period may be omitted. No deductions shall be made from the compensation
      of a member over age sixty who has credit for at least thirty-five years
      of government service and who elects to discontinue his contributions to
      the annuity savings fund. The contributions  herein  provided  shall  be
      made  notwithstanding  that the minimum compensation provided by law for
      any member shall be reduced thereby.
        e. The chief fiscal officer of each employer  promptly  shall  certify
      and  file a copy of each payroll with the comptroller. Each such payroll
      and certification shall be in a form approved by  the  comptroller.  The
      comptroller,   in   his   discretion,  may  waive  the  requirements  of
      certification and filing as to any particular payroll.
        f. Deductions from the compensation of a member shall  constitute  his
      contributions.  Such  contributions  shall  be  remitted promptly to the
      comptroller. The comptroller shall deposit them in the  annuity  savings
      fund and they shall be credited, together with regular interest thereon,
      and special interest, if any, to the member's individual account in such
      fund.  Regular  interest  upon  accumulated contributions in the annuity
      savings fund, and special interest, if any, shall be transferred to such
      fund from the pension accumulation fund at  the  close  of  each  fiscal
      year.
        g.  If  a  member  shall  have  deposited in the annuity savings fund,
      before  June  thirteenth,  nineteen  hundred  thirty-nine,  amounts   in
      addition  to  the  contributions then required by law, the same shall be
      included in his accumulated contributions.  Interest  thereon,  however,
      shall be credited only at such rate as in the opinion of the comptroller
      is  the  prevailing rate of interest allowed on savings bank deposits. A
      member, at any time, may  withdraw  such  additional  amounts  and  such
      interest  thereon,  in  whole  or  in  part. The total of such withdrawn
      amounts may be redeposited by a single payment  at  any  time.  If  such
      additional  amounts  be  not withdrawn before retirement, they thereupon
      shall be used to purchase an annuity on account  of  such  member.  Such
    
      annuity  shall  be  in  addition to the retirement allowance to which he
      would otherwise be entitled. It  shall  be  computed  on  the  basis  of
      regular  interest  and  the mortality tables which are used in computing
      other annuities under this article.
        h.  Valuation  of  maintenance  in  certain  cases. 1. A member of the
      retirement system, whose retirement  contributions  were  determined  by
      fixing  the  value  of his maintenance at one-half the cash compensation
      received by him and whose contributions were subsequently reduced by the
      fixing of a lower value for the same maintenance theretofore  furnished,
      may  elect  to have his contributions computed on the basis of his gross
      compensation  as  established  prior  to  such  reduction  in  value  of
      maintenance, provided that:
        (a)  His  retirement  contributions  prior  to October first, nineteen
      hundred forty-three, were based on such higher value of  maintenance  as
      determined  by  the  comptroller  and his retirement contributions after
      such date were reduced because of the fixation of such  lower  value  of
      maintenance, or
        (b)  His  retirement  contributions prior to April sixteenth, nineteen
      hundred forty-six, were based on such higher  value  of  maintenance  as
      determined  by  the board of supervisors of the county of Monroe and his
      retirement contributions after such date were  reduced  because  of  the
      fixation of such lower value of maintenance, or
        (c)   He   was   employed  by  the  county  of  Westchester  on  March
      twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred forty-eight, his retirement contributions
      prior to March thirty-first, nineteen hundred forty-seven, were based on
      such higher value of maintenance and his retirement contributions  after
      January first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, were reduced because of the
      fixation of such lower value of maintenance, or
        (cc) His retirement contributions prior to the initial fixation of the
      value  of his maintenance pursuant to section two hundred one or section
      two hundred five of the county law, were based on such higher  value  of
      maintenance   as  determined  by  the  comptroller  and  his  retirement
      contributions after the date of such fixation were  reduced  because  of
      the fixation of such lower value of maintenance, or
        (d)  He  was  employed  by  the  county  of Onondaga on April twelfth,
      nineteen hundred  forty-nine,  his  retirement  contributions  prior  to
      December  fifteenth,  nineteen  hundred  forty-seven, were based on such
      higher value of  maintenance  and  his  retirement  contributions  after
      December  fifteenth,  nineteen hundred forty-seven, were reduced because
      of the fixation of such lower value of maintenance, or
        (e)  He  was  or  shall  have  been  employed  in  a  county  or  city
      tuberculosis  hospital  which  was or shall have been transferred to the
      state pursuant to section twenty-two hundred sixty-eight of  the  public
      health  law, his retirement contributions prior to such transfer were or
      shall have been based on  such  higher  value  of  maintenance  and  his
      retirement  contributions  after  such  transfer were or shall have been
      reduced because of the fixation of such lower value of maintenance.
        2. Upon filing such election and paying the  additional  contributions
      required  thereby,  such  member  shall be entitled to have his pension,
      retirement allowance or other rights and privileges  in  the  retirement
      system  computed  in  accordance  with such gross compensation, provided
      that:
        (a) In a case covered by subparagraph (a) of  paragraph  one  of  this
      subdivision  h,  such  election  was so filed with the comptroller on or
      before April first, nineteen  hundred  forty-six,  and  such  additional
      contributions  are  paid  from and after October first, nineteen hundred
      forty-three, or
    
        (b) In a case covered by subparagraph (b) of  paragraph  one  of  this
      subdivision  h,  such  election  was so filed with the comptroller on or
      before January first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, and such  additional
      contributions  are paid from and after April sixteenth, nineteen hundred
      forty-six, or
        (c)  In  a  case  covered by subparagraph (c) of paragraph one of this
      subdivision h, such election was so filed with  the  comptroller  on  or
      before  January  first, nineteen hundred forty-nine, and such additional
      contributions are paid  from  and  after  March  thirty-first,  nineteen
      hundred forty-seven, or
        (cc)  In  a case covered by subparagraph (cc) of paragraph one of this
      subdivision h, such election was so filed with  the  comptroller  on  or
      before  October  first, nineteen hundred fifty-five, and such additional
      contributions are paid from and after the date of the  initial  fixation
      of the value of his maintenance pursuant to such subparagraph, or
        (d)  In  a  case  covered by subparagraph (d) of paragraph one of this
      subdivision h, such election was so filed with the county auditor on  or
      before  November first, nineteen hundred forty-nine, and such additional
      contributions are paid  from  and  after  December  fifteenth,  nineteen
      hundred forty-seven, or
        (e)  In  a  case  covered by subparagraph (d) of paragraph one of this
      subdivision h, such election is so filed  with  the  comptroller  on  or
      before April first, nineteen hundred fifty, or within one year after the
      date   of  such  transfer,  whichever  is  later,  and  such  additional
      contributions are paid from and after the date of such transfer.
        3.  The  gross  compensation  of  such  member  shall  be  the  amount
      established   on   the  basis  of  such  higher  value  of  maintenance.
      Contributions based on such gross compensation shall continue to be made
      until such member retires  or  until  such  election  is  terminated  as
      provided in paragraph four of this subdivision h.
        4.  An  election  made pursuant to paragraph one of this subdivision h
      shall be  terminated  if  and  when  the  compensation  of  the  member,
      including  cash  and  the  current value of maintenance, shall equal the
      gross compensation of such member as fixed on the basis  of  the  higher
      value of maintenance described in such paragraph one, provided that:
        (a)  In  a  case  covered by subparagraph (a) of paragraph one of this
      subdivision h,  such  current  value  of  maintenance  shall  have  been
      determined  by  the director of the budget pursuant to section forty-two
      of the civil service law, or
        (b) In a case covered by subparagraph (b) of  paragraph  one  of  this
      subdivision  h,  such  current  value  of  maintenance  shall  have been
      determined by the board of supervisors of the county of Monroe, or
        (c) In a case covered by subparagraph (c) of  paragraph  one  of  this
      subdivision  h,  such  current  value  of  maintenance  shall  have been
      determined by the board of supervisors of the county of Westchester, or
        (cc) In a case covered by subparagraph (cc) of paragraph one  of  this
      subdivision  h,  such  current  value  of  maintenance  shall  have been
      determined by the board of supervisors of the county, or
        (d) In a case covered by subparagraph (d) of  paragraph  one  of  this
      subdivision  h,  such  current  value  of  maintenance  shall  have been
      determined by the board of supervisors of Onondaga county, or
        (e) In a case covered by subparagraph (d) of  paragraph  one  of  this
      subdivision  h,  such  current  value  of  maintenance  shall  have been
      determined by the director of the budget pursuant to  section  forty-two
      of the civil service law.
        i. Additional contributions.
        1.  Any  member  of  the  retirement system, upon forms prescribed and
      furnished by the comptroller, may elect to make additional contributions
    
      at the rate of fifty per centum of his rate of normal  contribution  for
      the purpose of purchasing additional annuity.
        2.  Additional contributions made pursuant to this subdivision i shall
      be included in the member's accumulated contributions,  except  that  in
      computing a retirement allowance:
        (a)  For  ordinary  disability  pursuant  to section sixty-two of this
      article, or
        (b) In any other case under this article where the inclusion  of  such
      additional contributions in the computation of an annuity would have the
      effect  of  decreasing  the  amount of a pension that otherwise would be
      payable,
      such additional contributions shall be treated as  excess  contributions
      and shall be used to provide an annuity in addition to the annuity which
      otherwise  would be payable in such case.  Such additional annuity shall
      be computed on the basis of regular interest and  the  mortality  tables
      which are used in computing other annuities under this article.
        3.  One  year  or more after the filing thereof, a member may withdraw
      his  election  to  make  additional  contributions  pursuant   to   this
      subdivision   i.  Such  withdrawal  shall  be  by  written  notice  duly
      acknowledged and filed with the comptroller.
        j. Where a member's  rate  of  contribution  is  reduced  because  his
      employer                        contributes                       toward
      pensions-providing-for-increased-take-home-pay   pursuant   to   section
      seventy-a  of  this  article,  such  member  may  by written notice duly
      acknowledged and filed with the comptroller within one year  after  such
      reduction or within one year after he last became a member, whichever is
      later,  elect to waive such reduction. One year or more after the filing
      thereof, a member may withdraw any such waiver by  written  notice  duly
      acknowledged  and  filed  with the comptroller.  Where a member makes an
      election to waive such reduction, he shall contribute to the  retirement
      system as otherwise provided in this article.
        k.  A  member in the employ of the state who retires on or after April
      first, nineteen hundred seventy-three may elect to withdraw  his  excess
      contributions  at  the time of his retirement; provided, however, in the
      case of persons who last became members on or after July first, nineteen
      hundred seventy-three, the provisions of this  subdivision  shall  apply
      only  to  those  who  retire  prior  to  July  first,  nineteen  hundred
      seventy-four. Such election shall be duly executed and  filed  with  the
      comptroller.  The  term  excess  contributions  shall  mean  accumulated
      contributions in excess of the amount thereof necessary to  provide  the
      required  pension  or  retirement  allowance  specified  under  the plan
      applicable  to  the  member.  In  no  case  shall  such  withdrawal   of
      contributions result in an increase in the pension benefit.
        l.  Voluntary  contributions.  1.  Any  member  who  is  not otherwise
      required by law to  make  contributions  may  elect  to  make  voluntary
      contributions for the purpose of purchasing additional annuity.
        2.  Voluntary contributions made pursuant to this subdivision shall be
      included in the  member's  accumulated  contributions,  except  that  in
      computing a retirement allowance:
        (a)  For  ordinary  disability  pursuant  to section sixty-two of this
      chapter, or
        (b) In any other case under this chapter where the inclusion  of  such
      voluntary  contributions in the computation of an annuity would have the
      effect of decreasing the amount of a pension  that  otherwise  would  be
      payable,
      such  voluntary  contributions  shall be treated as excess contributions
      and shall be used to provide an annuity in addition to the annuity which
      otherwise would be payable in such case. Such additional  annuity  shall
    
      be  computed  on  the basis of regular interest and the mortality tables
      which are used in computing other annuities under this chapter.
        3. Any member electing to make such voluntary contributions shall file
      such election with the comptroller on a form prescribed for such purpose
      by  the comptroller. Such election shall specify a rate of contributions
      in a whole number percentage no greater than ten percent of the member's
      salary, such contributions to be remitted to the comptroller by  regular
      payroll  deductions  from  the  compensation  of the member. The rate of
      contribution shall be subject to change by the member only once  in  any
      twelve  month period. These contributions may be withdrawn by the member
      in accordance with section fifty-one of this chapter only  once  in  any
      twelve month period.
        4.  Any  member  electing  to  make  such  voluntary contributions may
      withdraw his election to make such contributions at any time and thereby
      terminate such contributions; provided, however, that  such  termination
      of voluntary contributions shall preclude the member from again electing
      to make such contributions for a period of twelve months.
        5.  Any  member electing to make such voluntary contributions pursuant
      to this subdivision shall be deemed by such act to have:  (a)  withdrawn
      his election to make additional contributions pursuant to subdivisions i
      and  j  of  this  section,  and (b) made all his excess contributions in
      accordance with this subdivision.