ADMINISTRATIVE RULES OF THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF OKLAHOMA
Emergency Amendments:
There are no emergency amendments at this time.
Proposed Permanent Rules:
Permanent Rules as Amended August 1, 2012 ~ UNOFFICIAL
The official permanent rules of the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma are codified in Title 715 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) and are maintained by the Secretary of State's Office of Administrative Rules. An official copy of the rules may be obtained from the Oklahoma Secretary of State's Office. The rules listed below, while not official, are intended to be identical to those filed for codification and contain, to the best of our ability, the most recent amendments to the rules. Additionally, if any conflicts arise between material in the official/unofficial code and the law, the law takes precedence.
TITLE 715. TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Chapter 1. Administrative Operations
715:1-1-1. Purpose
715:1-1-2. Board of Trustees
715:1-1-3. Medical Board
715:1-1-4. Administrative office
715:1-1-5. Executive Director
715:1-1-6. Bonds (protective) [REVOKED]
715:1-1-7. Purchases
715:1-1-8. Payment of salaries and claims
715:1-1-9. Investment of funds [REVOKED]
715:1-1-10. Grievances and complaints
715:1-1-11. Information requests
715:1-1-12. Public participation in adoption of rules
715:1-1-13. Change of address, name or district
715:1-1-14. Definition of IRS Code
715:1-1-15. Distribution Rules
715:1-1-16. General IRS Qualification Rules
715:1-1-17. Inspection, copy and/or reproduction fees
715:1-1-18. Retirement benefit reduction to pay a judgment or settlement as an offset
Chapter 10. General Operations
Subchapter 1. Membership Provisions
715:10-1-1. Purpose
715:10-1-2. TRS membership eligibility
715:10-1-3. Mandatory TRS membership
715:10-1-4. Optional TRS membership
715:10-1-5. Ineligible for TRS membership
715:10-1-6. Date of TRS membership
715:10-1-7. Membership in education associations
715:10-1-8. Membership of Employees of Charter Schools
Subchapter 3. Service Eligibility
715:10-3-1. Requirements for creditable service
715:10-3-2. Requirements for fulltime service
715:10-3-3. Requirements for halftime service
715:10-3-4. Combining fractional years of service
715:10-3-5. Minimum compensation requirements
Subchapter 5. Establishing Other Service Credits
715:10-5-1. Oklahoma service credit after July 1, 1943
715:10-5-2. Employment as a substitute teacher in Oklahoma schools
715:10-5-3. Official sabbatical leave from an Oklahoma school
715:10-5-4. Cost to purchase Oklahoma service [REVOKED]
715:10-5-4.1. Payment of Contribution Deficit for Education Employees Service Incentive Plan
715:10-5-5. Oklahoma service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [Revoked]
715:10-5-6. Verification of Oklahoma service before membership
715:10-5-7. Credit for service in other Oklahoma public retirement systems
715:10-5-7.1. Transfer of service credit from the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
715:10-5-7.2. Transfer of service credit to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
715:10-5-7.3. Service credit transfers for TRS members who are CLEET-certified employees of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University
715:10-5-8. Revocation of $7,800 waiver
715:10-5-9. Re-establishing withdrawn service
715:10-5-10. Military service credit
715:10-5-11. Military service limited to maximum of five years [REVOKED]
715:10-5-12. Military service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [Revoked]
715:10-5-13. Military service performed after July 1, 1943
715:10-5-14. Military service combined with Oklahoma service
715:10-5-15. Application for military service
715:10-5-16. Cost to purchase military service
715:10-5-17. Adjustment for military service after retirement
715:10-5-18. Other restrictions on military service
715:10-5-19. Out-of-state service credit
715:10-5-20. Out-of-state service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [REVOKED]
715:10-5-21. Out-of-state service performed after July 1, 1943
715:10-5-22. Out-of-state service limited to maximum of five years
715:10-5-23. Out-of-state service combined with Oklahoma service
715:10-5-24. Continuous, consecutive out-of-state service
715:10-5-25. Application for out-of-state service
715:10-5-26. Cost to purchase out-of-state service
715:10-5-27. Other restrictions on out-of-state service
715:10-5-28. Sick leave service credit
715:10-5-29. Verification of accumulated sick leave
715:10-5-30. Ten-year averaging of sick leave
715:10-5-31. Documentation of service
715:10-5-32. Rollovers from other qualified plans or conduit IRAs
715:10-5-33. Credit for family leave [REVOKED]
715:10-5-34. Credit for Adjunct Service
715:10-5-35. Employer pick-up of purchase of service credit
Subchapter 7. Membership Vesting and Termination
715:10-7-1. Vesting of membership in TRS
715:10-7-2. Limitation of benefits to an inactive, vested member
715:10-7-3. Termination because of absence
715:10-7-4. Extension of TRS membership after absence
715:10-7-5. Retired members
715:10-7-6. Termination of a non-eligible person
Subchapter 9. Survivor Benefits
715:10-9-1. Return of contributions when death occurs before retirement
715:10-9-2. Death benefit when death occurs before retirement [REVOKED]
715:10-9-3. Monthly annuity in lieu of death benefit
715:10-9-4. Death benefit when death occurs after retirement [REVOKED]
715:10-9-5. Payments to beneficiaries of deceased members
715:10-9-6. Probate Waivers [REVOKED]
715:10-9-7. Beneficiary designation following a divorce
Subchapter 11. Withdrawal from Membership and Refund of Deposits
715:10-11-1. Withdrawal from membership by an eligible person
715:10-11-2. Withdrawal of optional membership while still employed
715:10-11-3. False affidavits
715:10-11-4. Refunds of contributions
715:10-11-5. Termination of rights to benefits
715:10-11-6. Reinstatement of an account
715:10-11-7. Rollovers from OTRS to other eligible retirement plans
Subchapter 13. Contributions for Membership Service
715:10-13-1. Regular annual compensation requirements [REVOKED]
715:10-13-2. Contributions required on all compensation
715:10-13-3. Employee contribution rates
715:10-13-3.1. Employer contribution rates [Revoked]
715:10-13-3.2. Employer contribution rates for employers other than comprehensive and regional four-year universities beginning July 1, 2007 [Expired]
715:10-13-3.3. Employer contribution rates comprehensive and regional four-year universities beginning July 1, 2007 [Expired]
715:10-13-4. Maximum compensation level election for years prior to July 1, 1995
715:10-13-4.1. Maximum compensation level election for the 1995-96 school year [REVOKED]
715:10-13-5. Compensation corrections
715:10-13-6. Employee contributions paid by the employer
715:10-13-7. Matching funds
715:10-13-8. Procedure for making contribution deductions
715:10-13-9. Monthly remittance report of contributions [REVOKED]
715:10-13-10. Annual report of employment
715:10-13-11. Percentage limits on compensation increases
715:10-13-12. Contracts bought-up by employer
715:10-13-13. Contributions while receiving payments from Workers' Compensation
715:10-13-14. Termination credit for state agency employees who are members of the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma
Subchapter 15. Service Retirement
715:10-15-1. Eligibility for service retirement
715:10-15-2. Age, service requirements for regular retirement
715:10-15-3. Date of retirement; making application
715:10-15-4. Effective date of retirement contract
715:10-15-5. Date of retirement contract is binding; revocation of contract
715:10-15-6. Verification of date of birth
715:10-15-7. Standard retirement formula
715:10-15-7.1 Retirement formula for members employed by a comprehensive university [REVOKED]
715:10-15-7.2. Retirement formula for members retiring under provisions of the Education Employees Service Incentive Plan ("EESIP")
715:10-15-8. Age, creditable service determination
715:10-15-9. Minimum service retirement benefits
715:10-15-10. Retirement plans
715:10-15-10.1. "Pop-up" of Option 2 or Option 3 Retirement Plans
715:10-15-10.2. Partial Lump-sum Payments
715:10-15-10.3.Partial Lump-sum Option Factors
715:10-15-11. Designation of beneficiaries for retirement options
715:10-15-12. Spousal consent
715:10-15-13. Survivor benefits when death occurs after retirement [REVOKED]
715:10-15-14. Actuarial tables
715:10-15-15. Disability retirement; application; effective date
715:10-15-16. Review by Medical Board
715:10-15-17. Additional medical evidence can be required
715:10-15-18. Discontinuance of disability retirement
715:10-15-19. Disability retirement payments
715:10-15-20. Conversion of disability retirement to retirement option 2
715:10-15-21. Return to employment by a disabled retiree
715:10-15-22. Reduction of disability benefits for excess earnings
715:10-15-23. Special $150 per month plan; application; effective date
715:10-15-24. Due-date of retirement benefit payments
715:10-15-25. Changes and corrections to retirement benefit payments
715:10-15-26. Code Section 415 limits as applied to TRS
715:10-15-27. Code Section 401(a)(17) limits as applied to TRS
Subchapter 17. Post-Retirement Employment
715:10-17-1. Definitions
715:10-17-2. Break between employment and retirement
715:10-17-3. Fulltime employment after retirement [Revoked]
715:10-17-4. Fulltime employment with no effect on benefits [Revoked]
715:10-17-5. Permissible employment
715:10-17-6. Earnings limits
715:10-17-7. Employment by a disabled retiree
715:10-17-8. Repayment of benefits
715:10-17-9. Annual W-2P tax statements
715:10-17-10. Effective date of OAC 715:10-17-1 through 715:10-17-9
715:10-17-11. Special waiver for retirees past age 70
715:10-17-12. Earnings report by remitting agencies
715:10-17-13. Election to return to qualifying employment
715:10-17-14. Termination and Resumption of Benefit Payments
Subchapter 19. Tax-Sheltered Annuity Program
715:10-19-1. Authority for program
715:10-19-2. General description
715:10-19-3. Eligible employees
715:10-19-4. Program requisites
715:10-19-5. Contributions
715:10-19-6. Calculation of exclusion allowance [Revoked]
715:10-19-7. Methods of computing maximum TSA contribution
715:10-19-8. Distributions
715:10-19-9. Withdrawals for financial hardship
715:10-19-10. Example of tax-shelter earnings [Revoked]
715:10-19-11. Rollovers from OTRS 403(b) program to other eligible retirement plans
715:10-19-12. The Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund
715:10-19-13. Contributions from the Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund into Tax-Sheltered Annuity accounts of active contributing TRS members
Subchapter 21. Investment Policy [Revoked]
715:10-21-1. Investment of funds [Revoked]
715:10-21-2. Statement of investment policy [Revoked]
715:10-21-3. Investment guidelines [Revoked]
715:10-21-4. Portfolio assets allocation [Revoked]
715:10-21-5. Cash equivalents guidelines [Revoked]
Subchapter 23. State and Education Employees Group Health and Dental Insurance Program
715:10-23-1. State and Education Employees Group Health and Dental Insurance Program
715:10-23-2. Monthly health insurance premium supplement paid by the Teachers' Retirement System
715:10-23-3. Participating education employers not enrolled in the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Plan
715:10-23-4. Retired members who return to employment
715:10-23-5. Retired members ineligible for health insurance supplement
Subchapter 25. Qualified Domestic Order [REVOKED]
715:10-25-1. Definition [REVOKED]
715:10-25-2. Filing a qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
715:10-25-3. Contents of a qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
715 10-25-4. Payment to alternate payee [REVOKED]
715:10-25-5. Termination of a qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
715:10-25-6. Teachers' Retirement not subject to ERISA [REVOKED]
Title 715 - Teachers' Retirement System
Chapter 1 - Administrative Operations
715:1-1-1. Purpose
715:1-1-2. Board of Trustees
715:1-1-3. Medical Board
715:1-1-4. Administrative office
715:1-1-5. Executive Secretary
715:1-1-6. Bonds (protective) [REVOKED]
715:1-1-7. Purchases
715:1-1-8. Payment of salaries and claims
715:1-1-9. Investment of funds [REVOKED]
715:1-1-10. Grievances and complaints
715:1-1-11. Information requests
715:1-1-12. Public participation in adoption of rules
715:1-1-13. Change of address, name or district
715:1-1-14. Definition of IRS Code
715:1-1-15. Distribution Rules
715:1-1-16. General IRS Qualification Rules
715:1-1-17. Inspection, copy and/or reproduction fees
715:1-1-18. Retirement benefit reduction to pay a judgment or settlement as an offset
715:1-1-1. Purpose
The rules of this Chapter have been adopted for the purpose of complying with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, 75 O.S., Section 250 et seq, and for establishing and explaining the internal and external administrative operations of the Teachers' Retirement System.
715:1-1-2. Board of Trustees
The general administration and responsibility for the proper operation of the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma, and effectively implementing the retirement statutes, are vested in the Board of Trustees. The statutory authority for the Board of Trustees is Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-106 [70 O.S. 17-106].
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3877, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2726, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 853, eff 8-1-12]
The statutory authority for the Medical Board is Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-106 [70 O.S. 17-106].
[Source: Amended at 29 Ok Reg 853, eff 8-1-12]
715:1-1-4. Administrative office
The Teachers' Retirement System has office space located in the Oliver Hodge Education Building, 2500 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105. The mailing address for correspondence is TRS, P. O. Box 53524, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. The main telephone number is (405) 521-2387. The toll-free telephone number for calls originating outside the Oklahoma City local calling area is 1-877-738-6365. Members are encouraged to visit the Retirement Office, or make written inquiries regarding any matter pertaining to their retirement accounts.
[Source: Amended at 18 Ok Reg 49, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 853, eff 8-1-12]
715:1-1-5. Executive Director
The Executive Director shall be the administrative officer for the Board of Trustees and shall be responsible for the general administration of the Retirement System.
(1) All employees shall be under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, and shall be recommended by the Executive Director with approval by the Board of Trustees.
(2) The Secretary-Treasurer shall be an employee of TRS.
(3) All vouchers drawn against TRS shall be signed by two members of the administrative staff: the Executive Director, the Assistant Executive Director, the Secretary-Treasurer, or the Comptroller.
(4) The Executive Director shall make reports to the Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meetings in regard to administrative matters, funds and budgetary matters, and present statements showing the general condition of the System's finances.
[Source: Amended at 28 Ok Reg 978, eff 5-26-11]
715:1-1-6. Bonds (protective) [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 28 Ok Reg 978, eff 5-26-11; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 853, eff 8-1-12]
715:1-1-7. Purchases
The Executive Director shall have authority to make such purchases of equipment and supplies as may be needed for the operation of TRS, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.
[Source: Amended at 28 Ok Reg 978, eff 5-26-11]
715:1-1-8. Payment of salaries and claims
(a) The Executive Director is authorized to approve and pay all payrolls for the regular personnel and extra help of TRS, as provided in the budget approved by the Board of Trustees. The Executive Director and the Secretary-Treasurer must comply with the law in making purchases of supplies, printing materials and equipment. Claims for all traveling expenses, utility bills, communications, bond premiums, rentals, payments of death claims to beneficiaries or estates, tax-sheltered annuity claims, and maintenance and repair of machines, when properly audited and approved by the Secretary-Treasurer or the Executive Director, may be paid before approval by the Board of Trustees. In the event of the absence of the Secretary-Treasurer or the Executive Director, the Assistant Executive Director may also sign for approval of claims.
(b) The retired member payroll shall be paid when approved by the Secretary-Treasurer and the Executive Director, or in the event of an absence, the Assistant Executive Director may approve for one. The Board of Trustees shall then make final approval at the next regular meeting following the date on which the checks were mailed to retired members.
[Source: Amended at 28 Ok Reg 978, eff 5-26-11]
715:1-1-9. Investment of funds [REVOKED]
[Source: Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 854, eff 8-1-12]
715:1-1-10. Grievances and complaints
Grievances and complaints are usually settled by correspondence or informal conference between the member or beneficiary and the staff of the Teachers' Retirement System.
(1) Any interested person with a grievance which cannot be settled in this manner may appeal the decision of the staff to the executive director of the Teachers' Retirement System. Request for an informal hearing before the executive director must be in writing and include a clear statement of the grievance or complaint. The executive director will provide a written response within thirty (30) days, stating the official position of Teachers' Retirement in the matter before appeal. The response will either grant or deny the appellant's request. If denied, the executive director shall provide to the member the applicable statutes, rules and administrative procedures used in reaching a decision to deny the appeal of the member. "Interested person" means any member of the Teachers' Retirement System; any beneficiary of a member; any retiree of the Teachers' Retirement System; any guardian, administrator, or executor of a member, retiree, or beneficiary; or any public school.
(2) Any decision of the executive director may be appealed to the Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System. The member must appeal the decision of the executive director within sixty (60) days of receipt of notification of denial by the executive director.
(3) All cases of appeals to the Board of Trustees will be assigned to an administrative hearing judge, who will conduct a hearing and prepare a proposed order to the Board of Trustees. The executive director shall appoint the administrative hearing judge from a list of individuals previously employed by the Board of Trustees to act in this role. All hearings shall be conducted in the offices of the Teachers' Retirement System at a time and date agreed to by the parties. It is expected that any party to the hearing will provide timely notice to the other parties if a delay or failure to appear is anticipated.
(4) Hearings will be conducted under the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act [75 O.S. 250 et. seq.]. Opportunity shall be afforded all parties to respond and present evidence and arguments on all issues involved. The administrative hearing judge will have the authority to conduct the hearing and rule on the admissibility of all evidence. Any party shall at all times have the right to counsel, provided that such counsel must be duly licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, and provided further that such counsel shall have the right to appear and act for and on behalf of the party he represents. Upon the completion of the hearing, the administrative hearing judge shall afford the appellant the opportunity to present a written brief and arguments to be included as part of the record. Legal counsel for Teachers' Retirement shall be provided an equal opportunity to respond to appellant's written brief and arguments if requested. Once all evidence, arguments and briefs are received by the administrative hearing judge the record shall be closed.
(5) At the close of the hearing, the administrative hearing judge shall, as soon as practical, prepare a proposed order to be delivered to the Board of Trustees. This proposed order shall include findings of fact, based exclusively on the evidence and on matters officially noted in the record of the hearing, conclusions of law and a recommended order to the Board of Trustees. A copy of this proposed order shall be provided to all parties by the executive director.
(6) The member shall have the right to file a written statement outlining any objections, exceptions and/or arguments he desires the Board of Trustees to consider in its consideration of the hearing judge's proposed order. This statement must be filed with the executive director within twenty (20) days of receipt of the hearing judge's proposed order. No additional evidence or materials may be introduced by the member which were not presented at the hearing. The executive director and/or TRS staff may prepare a written response in rebuttal to the member's statement. A copy of any response by TRS will be provided to the member at least ten (10) days prior to the time the member's appeal is scheduled for consideration by the Board of Trustees. The member may waive the ten (10) day limit if it would delay scheduling the matter before the Board.
(7) The executive director may, prior to submitting the hearing officer's report to the Board of Trustees, settle any grievance or complaint in a manner agreeable to the appellant. In settling any grievance the executive director shall not exceed the authority previously granted to him or her by the Board of Trustees. The executive director shall report to the Board of Trustees any settlement which occurs after the hearing officer's report is filed.
(8) Consideration of the member's case will be scheduled before the Board of Trustees as soon as possible after the proposed order and any additional written materials have been filed with the Board in accordance with this section. Unless mutually agreed to by all parties, no hearing before the Board will be scheduled within ten (10) working days of such filings.
(9) At the meeting at which the Board of Trustees will consider the proposed order, the member will be afforded an opportunity to make a brief statement to the Board concerning the facts and any arguments he wishes to present and will be allowed to respond to questions from Trustees. Failure of the member to appear at the Board hearing without prior notification will result in the member relinquishing his right to be heard by the Board. If such absence was unavoidable, the member may petition the Board for a rehearing. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees will have final authority to set the amount of time any party may have to present information to the Board.
(10) After consideration of all evidence and arguments, both oral and written, the Board will make a final determination on the proposed order. The Board of Trustees may accept, reject or accept as-modified the proposed order. The Board may make its own conclusions and issue an order in concert with those findings; or re-open the case and hear evidence themselves. If the Board decides to hear the case, it will determine whether to review the complete record, including a transcript of the original hearing conducted by the administrative hearing judge and all documentary evidence, or open the case to receive new evidence and testimony. As in all matters before the Board, seven (7) votes are necessary to approve any motion, resolution or order under consideration. A copy of the Board's final order will be delivered via mail to the member and his representative by the executive director of TRS.
(11) Any member receiving an adverse ruling from the Board retains certain rights under the Administrative Procedures Act. The member may file an action for judicial review in District Court in Oklahoma County. Such action must be filed within thirty (30) days after the aggrieved party is notified of the Board's order. The member may also petition for a rehearing, reopening or reconsideration of the appeal by the Board. Such petition must be filed with the executive director of TRS within ten (10) days from the date of the Board's decision and must be based on 75 O.S. 317.
(12) The Administrative Procedures Act prohibits direct or indirect communications by members and/or the representatives of members with the Board of Trustees in connection with any issue of fact or law regarding an appeal before the Board, except upon notice which provides an opportunity for all parties to participate. The Board of Trustees will not consider any evidence or statements made to them by members in connection with a pending appeal.
[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 1331, eff 2-28-92 (emergency); Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3877, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 202, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3068, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2726, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 978, eff 5-26-11]
715:1-1-11. Information requests
From time to time, many professional organizations seek information from the Teachers' Retirement System for improving benefits. It is the desire of the Board of Trustees that the staff work with groups in an advisory capacity or to supply factual data. Requests for technical data that would require the services of the Board's consulting actuary are to be made in writing and will be reviewed by the Board before appropriate action is taken. Because there are a large number of professional organizations and affiliate groups which represent various segments of the teacher retirement membership, the Board encourages organizations to coordinate their efforts through their parent organization.
715:1-1-12. Public participation in adoption of rules
The Board encourages members to participate in the review and promulgation of rules governing the Teachers' Retirement System.
(1) Any interested person may informally request adoption of a rule by correspondence or conference with Teachers' Retirement System staff members. If satisfactory results cannot be achieved in this manner, any interested person may petition the Teachers' Retirement System to adopt, amend, or repeal a rule by filing a clear, written request to initiate rulemaking procedures with the executive director. The petition shall set forth the exact text of the proposed rule and the petitioner's name and address, and the name, business address, and telephone number of petitioner's counsel, if any. The petition may also include written documents in support of the petition.
(2) "Interested person" means any member of the Teachers' Retirement System; any beneficiary of a member; any retiree of the Teachers' Retirement System; any guardian, administrator, or executor of a member, retiree, or beneficiary; or any public school.
(3) The executive director shall grant or deny the petition within 60 days of its receipt. The executive director may consult informally with staff members and the petitioner in reaching a decision. The petition may be amended with consent of the petitioner at any time before a final decision is rendered.
(A) Upon granting the petition in writing, the executive director shall inform the Board and request authority to initiate rulemaking proceedings pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act and the rules and regulations of the Teachers' Retirement System.
(B) Denial of the petition by the executive director, and reasons therefore, shall be in writing. The petitioner may appeal this decision to the Board of Trustees provided that a written notice of appeal is filed with the executive director within sixty (60) days after the decision of the executive director is issued. If no such notice of appeal is timely filed, or if the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees will occur more than sixty (60) days after receipt of the petition by the executive director, and the petitioner is unwilling to waive the deadline for a final decision until that meeting, the decision of the executive director shall be the final decision of Teachers' Retirement System. The final decision of the Board shall be based on the written petition and written decision of the executive director unless the Board orders a hearing on the petition. If the Board approves the petition, the executive director shall initiate rulemaking proceedings pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act and the rules and regulations of the Teachers' Retirement System.
(4) Oral and written data, views, and arguments on a proposed rule may be submitted informally to the executive director by informal conference or correspondence within twenty (20) days after publication of notice of the proposed rule is filed with the Department of Libraries.
(5) A written request for a public hearing on a proposed substantive rule may be submitted to the executive director within ten (10) days after publication of notice of the proposed substantive rule provided that the request is made by 25 persons, a governmental subdivision or agency, or an association having at least 25 members. The request shall contain the name and address of each person requesting the hearing and shall clearly specify the proposed rule for which a hearing is requested.
(6) The executive director shall schedule the proposed rule for hearing on a date no earlier than seven days after notice of the hearing date is published and no later than 20 days after receipt of the written request. The executive director or the Board of Trustees may reschedule the hearing in the interest of justice or administrative necessity or for good cause; however, the proposed rule shall not be adopted prior to the requested hearing.
(7) The executive director shall designate himself, a Teachers' Retirement System employee, or a specially appointed person as hearing officer to take the testimony of any interested person in support of or in opposition to the rule. The hearing officer shall designate the order of taking testimony and may establish reasonable time limits on oral testimony, provided that reasonable opportunity is given to amplify oral testimony in writing. All hearings will be held in the offices of Teachers' Retirement System, unless for good cause Teachers' Retirement System shall designate another place of hearing.
[Source: Amended at 28 Ok Reg 978, eff 5-26-11]
715:1-1-13. Change of address, name or district
When a member moves to a new address, or if there is a change of surname, TRS should be notified of such change in writing. Please include the new name, the former name and the Social Security number. This procedure also applies to retired members whose checks are directly deposited to their banking accounts. Also, when an employee moves from one school district to another, it is important that TRS be notified of this change at once. Personal Data Form TRS 1-A may be secured for this purpose from the fiscal officer of the member's employer.
[Source: Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2726, eff 7-11-02]
715:1-1-14. Definition of IRS Code
The retirement system shall satisfy the applicable qualification requirements for governmental plans as specified in Sections 401 and 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or 1986, as amended from time to time and as appropriate for a governmental plan (hereinafter referred to as the "Internal Revenue Code").
[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 4783, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3283, eff 7-27-95]
715:1-1-15. Distribution Rules
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the administrative code, all benefits paid from the retirement system (other than the tax-sheltered annuity program) shall be distributed in accordance with the requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations § 1.401(a)(9)-1 through § q.401(a)(9)-9, even if the member has not submitted the appropriate notice. These provisions override any distribution options that are inconsistent with Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9).
(b) In furtherance of this section, the Board of Trustees and its designee will apply the following provisions:
(1) The entire interest of each member:
(A) will be distributed to such member not later than the required beginning date; or
(B) will be distributed beginning not later than the required beginning date, in accordance with Treasury regulations over the life of such member or over the lives of such member and a designated beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of such member or the life expectancies of such member and a designated beneficiary).
(2) If distribution of the member's interest has begun in accordance with subparagraph (1)(B) and the member dies before his or her entire interest has been distributed to the member, the remaining amount shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used under subparagraph (1)(B) as of the date of the member's death.
(3) If a member dies before distribution of the member's benefits begins under subparagraph (1)(B), and if any portion of the member's interest is payable to or for the benefit of a designated beneficiary for the beneficiary's lifetime or for a period not to exceed the beneficiary's life expectancy, the distribution must begin no later than December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the member died. However, if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the member:
(A) the date on which the distribution is required to begin shall not be earlier than the date on which the member would have attained age 70 1/2, and
(B) if the surviving spouse dies before the distribution to such spouse begins, subparagraph (1)(B) shall be applied as if the surviving spouse were the member.
(4) For benefit payments to beneficiaries that are not covered by paragraph (3), if the member dies before distribution of the member's interest has begun in accordance with subparagraph (1)(B), the member's entire interest must be distributed within 5 years after the member's death.
(5) For purposes of this section, the term "required beginning date" means April 1 of the calendar year following the later of:
(A) the calendar year in which the employee reaches age 70 1/2 or
(B) the calendar year in which the employee retires.
(6) For purposes of determining benefits, the life expectancy of a member, a member's spouse or a member's beneficiary shall not be recalculated after benefits commence.
(7) The amount of benefits payable to a member's beneficiary may not exceed the maximum determined under the incidental death benefit requirement of Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9)(G).
[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 4783, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3283, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2649, eff 7-11-05]
715:1-1-16. General IRS Qualification Rules
In addition to other Code provisions otherwise noted, and in order to satisfy the applicable requirements under the Code, the retirement system shall be subject to the following provisions, notwithstanding any other provision of the retirement system law:
(1) The Board of Trustees shall distribute the corpus and income of the retirement system to the members and their beneficiaries in accordance with the retirement system law.
(2) Forfeitures arising from severance of employment, death, or for any other reason may not be applied to increase the benefits any member would otherwise receive under the retirement system law.
(3) The Board of Trustees or its designee may not:
(A) determine eligibility for benefits,
(B) compute rates of contribution, or
(C) compute benefits of members or beneficiaries in a manner that discriminates in favor of members who are considered officers, supervisors, or highly compensated, as prohibited under Code Section 401(a)(4)
(4) The Board of Trustees may not engage in a transaction prohibited by Code Section 503(b).
[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 4783, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3283, eff 7-27-95]
715:1-1-17. Inspection, copy and/or reproduction fees
(a) Any request for a copy of a record not deemed confidential under 70.O.S. §17-109.1 from the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma shall be granted upon payment of the following fees:
(1) First six (6) pages - Free
(2) Additional pages - $0.25 per page
(3) Certified Copies - $1.00 per page
(4) Facsimiles (Fax) - $1.00 per page
(5) Magnetic tapes or other electronic media - Actual cost
(b) These fees shall not apply to copies of the System's Rules and Laws books, Annual Reports, Plan Summaries or other publications sent to System members, scholars, authors, news media, or taxpayers seeking to determine whether those entrusted with the affairs of the government are honestly, faithfully, and competently performing their duties as public servants. These fees shall not be used for the purpose of discouraging requests for information or as obstacles to disclosure of requested information. If the request for a record is solely for commercial purposes or clearly causes excessive disruption of the System's essential functions, the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma may charge a reasonable fee to recover the direct cost of the document search, as provided by 51 O.S., §24A.5 (3). Said reasonable fee shall be the equivalent of the applicable pro rata hourly wage of the System employee who performs the search multiplied by the total search time expended by that employee.
[Source: Added at 13 Ok Reg 3521, eff 8-26-96; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2726, eff 7-11-02]
715:1-1-18. Retirement benefit reduction to pay a judgment or settlement as an offset
The Board of Trustees may approve an offset of a member's benefit to pay a judgment or settlement against the member for a crime involving the System, for a breach of the member's fiduciary duty to the System, or for funds or monies incorrectly paid to a member or a beneficiary by mistake. Such offsets will be made in accordance with any applicable state statutes and requirements of Section 401(a)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 202, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Added at 17 Ok Reg 3068, eff 7-13-00]
Title 715 - Teachers' Retirement System
Chapter 10 - General Operations
Subchapter 1. Membership Provisions
715:10-1-1. Purpose
715:10-1-2. TRS membership eligibility
715:10-1-3. Mandatory TRS membership
715:10-1-4. Optional TRS membership
715:10-1-5. Ineligible for TRS membership
715:10-1-6. Date of TRS membership
715:10-1-7. Membership in education associations
715:10-1-8. Membership of Employees of Charter Schools
715:10-1-1. Purpose
The rules of this Chapter have been adopted for the purpose of complying with and implementing the provisions of 70 O.S., Section 17-102 et seq, which establish the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma and place it under the management of the Board of Trustees.
715:10-1-2. TRS membership eligibility
TRS membership eligibility shall be governed by Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-103 [70 O.S. 17-103] and OAC 715:10-1-3, OAC 715:10-1-4 and OAC 715:10-1-5.
[Source: Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 855, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-1-3. Mandatory TRS membership
Except as provided in the Alternate Retirement Plan for Comprehensive Universities Act, all classified employees are required by 70 O.S. 17-103 to be members of the Teachers’ Retirement System as a condition of employment.
[Source: Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 855, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-1-4. Optional TRS membership
The following employees are eligible to be members of the Teachers' Retirement System at their option:
(1) "Non-classified" employees employed by the public, state-supported educational institutions in Oklahoma for twenty (20) hours or more per week at a rate of compensation comparable to other persons employed in similar positions and receive payment for service by a school or state warrant, recorded on a warrant register with standard payroll deductions, and receive benefits generally provided to regular employees.
(2) Any member absent from the teaching service who is eligible to continue membership under special provisions of 70 O.S. 17-116.2, provided that such employee continues to be employed by a governmental agency.
(3) A visiting professor from another state or nation.
(4) Classified and Non-Classified members employed after retirement. (See OAC 715:10-17-13).
(5) Full-time, non-classified optional personnel who previously have opted out of TRS under OAC 715:10-11-2 may revoke their election and return to TRS participation. Providing, however, that such member is not eligible to redeposit the account withdrawn under OAC 715:10-11-2 or purchase credit for service performed after termination of membership and re-instatement of membership.
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4785, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)2; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2247, eff 3-5-03 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)3; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 855, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-1-5. Ineligible for TRS membership
The following employees are ineligible to be members of the Teachers' Retirement System. (Note: Ineligible employment cannot be combined with eligible employment.)
(1) A non-classified employee working less than 20 hours per week.
(2) A substitute, irregular, seasonal, graduate assistant, fellowship recipient, adjunct supplemental or temporary employee. (Note: Certain substitute and adjunct employment may qualify for service credit. See OAC 715:10-5-2 and OAC 715:10-5-34).
(3) Persons employed as a consultant or persons contracting with a public school to transport students, to provide food service, or to provide any other services, who are not "regular" employees of the school. (NOTE: School bus drivers or food service personnel who are regular employees of the school are eligible for membership, subject to the requirements of OAC 715:10-1-2, 10-1-4, 10-1-5.)
(4) An employee whose primary function at a school or institution is that of a student. If both the following conditions apply, a person employed in an Oklahoma public school, college or university shall be considered to be a student employee.
(A) The employment is conditional upon the employee's being enrolled as a student at the same institution; and
(B) The employee has no other employment during the same payroll period which is eligible for membership in TRS.
(5) Any persons whose employment compensation comes from federal or other funds and is not administered by an Oklahoma public education employer. (Note: If the employee is not paid by the school on a state warrant, the employee is not considered to be an employee of the school or the State of Oklahoma. Regular employees whose salaries are paid in part or in whole by federal or other funds are eligible for membership if they were hired by the school and paid by the school.)
(6) Any person employed by the public schools of Oklahoma after July 1, 1991, who is covered by another federal, state, county or local public retirement plan which will provide benefits on the employment service covered by the Teachers' Retirement System.
(7) Employees of employers that are not governmental employers within the definition of Internal Revenue Code Section 414 and 70 O.S. 17-116.2J.
(8) Any person employed by the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma State University or the entities of either comprehensive university who elects to participate in an alternative retirement plan provided by the comprehensive university as provided by the Alternate Retirement Plan for Comprehensive Universities Act.
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4785, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 856, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-1-6. Date of Membership
Date of membership is the date the initial contribution is made to TRS under the current membership account. Any former member of TRS who has previously withdrawn contributions and who redeposits said withdrawn contributions as permitted by law shall have his or her initial date of membership reinstated. Any person who transfers service from the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System in accordance with 70 O.S., Section 17-116.2(L), shall be eligible to use his or her initial entry date into the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System as his or her date of membership in TRS. If a current member purchases non-contributory service for those years of qualified employment prior to the current date of membership, the official date of membership will remain the date the member's current membership account was opened. If a member purchases adjunct service that was performed prior to current date of membership, such purchased service shall be considered contributing service for purposes of vesting and membership date.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 856, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-1-7. Membership in education associations
Any member absent from employment in the public schools of Oklahoma because of election or appointment as a local, state or national education association officer prior to January 1, 2011, shall be allowed to retain membership in TRS by making the contribution required of such member by Title 70 Okla. Stat. Section 17-116.2 and any other applicable statute. For purposes of this section the following shall apply:
(1) An education association is defined as an organization of educators established for the sole purpose of promoting the advancement of educational goals in Oklahoma or at the national level. A local or state association must be duly organized under the laws of the state of Oklahoma with a charter or articles of incorporation filed with the appropriate state agency and must comply with all applicable laws of the state of Oklahoma. A national association must be duly registered or chartered for the purpose of furthering educational goals at the national level.
(2) An "officer in an association" is a current member of TRS who is elected or appointed to an employment position within the association commensurate with a position in the public schools of Oklahoma defined as "classified" personnel by 70 O.S. 17-101. The officer must receive compensation for services rendered commensurate with compensation received for similar services in the public schools of Oklahoma.
(3) A member must notify TRS in writing on the form provided by TRS, the member's intent to elect to continue membership in TRS within thirty (30) days of becoming employed by an eligible association. In making this election the member shall agree to make payment in accordance with 70 O.S. 17-116.2 for the period of employment that qualifies for continued membership and to comply with all statutes and rules of TRS in maintaining membership.
(4) The maximum years of creditable service a member may receive for one such absence shall not exceed twelve (12) continuous years. A member may again qualify for creditable service in an educational association provided that the member returns to employment in the public schools of Oklahoma for a minimum of the same number of years received as credit in the former education association.
(5) On the recommendation of the Executive Director, the Board of Trustees may deny eligibility to any local state or national association, when it is judged not to conform with the intent of 70 O.S. 17-116.2 or when it is determined that the association was not established for the sole purpose of promoting the advancement of education.
(6) Effective July 1, 1994, a member may elect to continue membership as provided in paragraph (3) above only if the member has ten (10) years of contributory Oklahoma service prior to July 1, 1994.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4785, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 380, eff 10-16-02 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 640, eff 9-1-05 through 7-14-06 (emergency)2; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 3073, eff 7-27-06; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 856, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-1-8. Membership of Employees of Charter Schools
Employees of charter schools created pursuant to 70 OS § 3-130 et seq. are eligible for membership in the Teachers' Retirement System providing the governing board of the charter school applies for membership for its regular employees. Upon approval of the application for membership by the Board of Trustees all employees of the charter school shall join the Teachers' Retirement System under the same membership eligibility rules applying to employees of other public schools. Employees of charter schools shall in all circumstances follow the rules applicable to other members of the Teachers' Retirement System. Employees of charter schools that do not apply or are not approved for membership in the Teachers' Retirement System shall not be eligible for retirement service credit for years of employment performed in a non-member status and such employees shall not be eligible to purchase service at anytime subsequent to such employment.
[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Added at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00]
Subchapter 3. Service Eligibility
715:10-3-1. Requirements for creditable service
715:10-3-2. Requirements for fulltime service
715:10-3-3. Requirements for halftime service
715:10-3-4. Combining fractional years of service
715:10-3-5. Minimum compensation requirements
715:10-3-1. Requirements for creditable service
All members of Teachers' Retirement System must be employed a specified amount of time as related to their educational employment position, and earn a minimum salary, before creditable service will be awarded. No service performed as a unpaid volunteer shall be counted as service credit. For service performed on or after July 1, 2013, creditable service will be awarded based upon the information provided by each employer certifying full-time equivalent for each position, subject to approval by TRS. No member shall receive one (1) year of service credit for less than 960 hours of employment. (This does not mean that a member working 960 hours is automatically entitled to receive one (1) year of creditable service.) No more than one (1) year of creditable service shall be awarded for all service in any one (1) school year. For service performed on or after July 1, 2013, fractional service will be awarded for less than full-time employment performed during the contract year. (Note: Please refer to Client Handbook for explanation of creditable service qualifications. The Client Handbook, which is periodically modified, can be found at www.ok.gov/TRS).
[Source: Amended at 29 Ok Reg 857, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-3-2. Requirements for fulltime service
(a) For service performed prior to July 1, 2013, a member employed at least six (6) hours per day (30 hours per week) shall be considered a full-time employee.
(1) A full-time employee may receive one (1) year of creditable service after completing six (6) months or more of employment in a school year.
(2) No member shall receive one (1) year of service credit for less than 720 hours of employment. (This does not mean that a member working 720 hours is automatically entitled to one (1) year of creditable service.)
(b) For service performed on or after July 1, 2013, creditable service will be awarded as outlined in 715:10-3-1.
[Source: Amended at 29 Ok Reg 857, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-3-3. Requirements for halftime service
(a) For service performed prior to July 1, 2013, a member employed at least four (4) but less than six (6) hours per day (at least 20 but less than 30 hours per week) shall be considered a half-time employee.
(1) A half-time employee may receive one-half (1/2) year of creditable service after completing six (6) months or more of employment in a school year.
(2) No member shall receive one-half (1/2) year of service credit for less than 480 hours of employment. (This does not mean that a member working 480 hours is automatically entitled to one-half (1/2) year of creditable service.
(3) A member who is employed one-half (1/2) the standard workload of other persons employed in similar positions shall not receive more than one-half (1/2) year of service credit even if total hours worked exceed 720 hours.
(4) Members who joined TRS prior to July 1, 1991, may receive one-half (1/2) credit for a minimum of three (3) hours per day (540 hours per school year) as long as they remain employed in the same or similar position for the same employing school. Any break in employment shall end this special provision and the member will be required to qualify for full-time or half-time credit as provided for in Subchapters 1 and 3 of this chapter.
(b) For service performed on or after July 1, 2013, creditable service will be awarded as outlined in 715:10-3-1.
[Source: Amended at 29 Ok Reg 857, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-3-4. Combining fractional years of service
(a) For service performed prior to July 1, 2013, fractions of school terms performed as an active contributing member of TRS of at least one (1) school month, in different school years, may be combined to make a total of six (6) months for one (1) year of creditable service. It is not permissible to divide service rendered in one (1) year into fractional parts and combine these fractions with service rendered in two (2) or more years in order to gain additional years of service. All fractional service must be combined together before days of unused sick leave are applied to fractional service to obtain service credit. No more than one (1) year of credit will be given for all employment in any one (1) school year. However, if the member has one hundred twenty (120) or more days of unused sick leave and has ninety (90) or more days of combined work experience at the end of the school year when the member retires, TRS will grant one (1) year of service credit for the 120 days of unused sick leave and round the 90 days of work experience to count as one (1) year of service.
(b) For service performed on or after July 1, 2013, fractional service credit will be added together and the resulting sum value shall be included in the retirement formula calculations.
[Source: Amended at 23 Ok Reg 3073, eff 7-27-06; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 858, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-3-5. Minimum compensation requirements
In addition to the above, the following chart outlines the minimum salary levels which constitute membership service credit for the time periods indicated:
| Period | Minimum Time Worked | Required Annual Salary |
Allowable Credit |
|
| Monthly | Annually | |||
| 07/01/43 - 06/30/61 | 9 months | $900 | --- | 1 year |
| 07/01/61 - 06/30/64 | 10 months | Less than $1,000 | Not Eligible | --- |
| $1,000 | --- | 1 year | ||
| 07/01/64 - 06/30/84 | Less than $1,000 | Not Eligible | --- | |
| $1,000-$1,500 | 1-1/2 months | 1/4 year | ||
| $1,501-$1,750 | 3 months | 1/2 year | ||
| $1,751-$1,999 | 4-1/2 months | 3/4 year | ||
| $2,000 and over | 6 months | 1 year | ||
| 07/01/84 - 06/30/13 | Less than $2,000 | Not Eligible | --- | |
| $2,000-$3,000 | 1-1/2 months | 1/4 year | ||
| $3,001-$3,500 | 3 months | 1/2 year | ||
| $3,501-$3,999 | 4-1/2 months | 3/4 year | ||
| $4,000 and over | 6 months | 1 year | ||
| 07/01/13 - Present | All fractional service eligible | |||
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 184, eff 8-1-12]
Subchapter 5. Establishing Other Service Credits
715:10-5-1. Oklahoma service credit after July 1, 1943
715:10-5-2. Employment as a substitute teacher in Oklahoma schools
715:10-5-3. Official sabbatical leave from an Oklahoma school
715:10-5-4. Cost to purchase Oklahoma service [REVOKED]
715:10-5-4.1. Payment of Contribution Deficit for Education Employees Service Incentive Plan
715:10-5-5. Oklahoma service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [Revoked]
715:10-5-6. Verification of Oklahoma service before membership
715:10-5-7. Credit for service in other Oklahoma public retirement systems
715:10-5-7.1. Transfer of service credit from the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
715:10-5-7.2. Transfer of service credit to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
715:10-5-7.3. Service credit transfers for TRS members who are CLEET-certified employees of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University
715:10-5-8. Revocation of $7,800 waiver
715:10-5-9. Re-establishing withdrawn service
715:10-5-10. Military service credit
715:10-5-11. Military service limited to maximum of five years [REVOKED]
715:10-5-12. Military service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [Revoked]
715:10-5-13. Military service performed after July 1, 1943
715:10-5-14. Military service combined with Oklahoma service
715:10-5-15. Application for military service
715:10-5-16. Cost to purchase military service
715:10-5-17. Adjustment for military service after retirement
715:10-5-18. Other restrictions on military service
715:10-5-19. Out-of-state service credit
715:10-5-20. Out-of-state service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [REVOKED]
715:10-5-21. Out-of-state service performed after July 1, 1943
715:10-5-22. Out-of-state service limited to maximum of five years
715:10-5-23. Out-of-state service combined with Oklahoma service
715:10-5-24. Continuous, consecutive out-of-state service
715:10-5-25. Application for out-of-state service
715:10-5-26. Cost to purchase out-of-state service
715:10-5-27. Other restrictions on out-of-state service
715:10-5-28. Sick leave service credit
715:10-5-29. Verification of accumulated sick leave
715:10-5-30. Ten-year averaging of sick leave
715:10-5-31. Documentation of service
715:10-5-32. Rollovers from other qualified plans or conduit IRAs
715:10-5-33. Credit for family leave [REVOKED]
715:10-5-34. Credit for Adjunct Service
715:10-5-35. Employer pick-up of purchase of service credit
715:10-5-1. Oklahoma service credit after July 1, 1943
Members may purchase credit for years of employment from July 1, 1943, to date of membership in the public schools of Oklahoma on which contributions were not remitted. One (1) full year (twelve calendar months) as a contributing member of TRS must be completed before a member may make such purchases. All purchased service must meet Teachers' Retirement System minimum requirements for eligibility, in effect at the time of purchase, and be properly documented before purchase is allowed. Payment shall not be allowed for any employment during a school year that was less than one-half (1/2) time, and no credit is allowed for periods of employment when a member participated in an alternate retirement plan as provided for by the Alternate Retirement Plan for Comprehensive Universities Act.. All payments for past service must be made while an active contributing member of the Teachers' Retirement System or within sixty (60) days of termination of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma. Payment for service credit must be completed prior to the effective date of retirement and cannot be purchased by any person after the death of the member. (See OAC 715:10-5-4 for cost and method of payment).
[Source: Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05]
715:10-5-2. Employment as a substitute teacher in Oklahoma schools
A member of Teachers' Retirement System who was employed as a substitute teacher may purchase credit for such employment provided they were employed for 120 days in one school year. Such service shall be considered the equivalent of one (1) year of service. Members claiming credit for such service, and who have such service documented through Teacher Personnel, State Department of Education, must pay the actuarial cost of such service as defined by OAC 715:10-5-4. The maximum creditable service granted for substitute teaching shall be five (5) years. Under no condition may substitute teaching service from one school year be combined with substitute teaching service or any other employment from another school year to obtain 120 days of substitute teaching credit. The payment for such service credit may be made in one lump sum or in equal monthly installments up to sixty (60) months, as provided in OAC 715:10-5-4(9).
[Source: Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01]
715:10-5-3. Official sabbatical leave from an Oklahoma school
(a) A member may purchase credit for an official sabbatical leave performed prior to July 1, 1990, provided the member received at least one-half (1/2) pay from the employing school and the governing Board of the employing school or institution granted such leave in its official records or minutes as an "official sabbatical". Payment shall be based on the actuarial cost of such service as defined by OAC 715:10-5-4.
(b) A member may receive credit for an official sabbatical leave performed after July 1, 1990, providing the member receives at least one-half (1/2) pay from the employing school, the governing Board of the employing school or institution designates such leave as an "official sabbatical," and the member notifies the Teachers' Retirement System in writing of his or her intent to make contributions for sabbatical leave credit. To qualify, the member must receive at least one-half pay from the employing school. Compensation from other entities will not qualify in meeting the one-half pay requirement. Contributions for such employment shall be at a rate commensurate with the salary earned as a regular full-time employee in the last preceding school year. "Official sabbatical" means paid leave granted by the governing board of the employing school or institution. The member must elect to participate and make contributions to TRS at the time of the sabbatical. Sabbatical leave cannot be purchased by the member at a later date.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99]
715:10-5-4. Cost to purchase Oklahoma service [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)2; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 858, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-5-4.1. Payment of Contribution Deficit for Education Employees Service Incentive Plan
(a) A member whose Regular Annual Compensation, as defined in 70 O. S. § 17-101, was greater than $40,000 during the school years 1987-88 through 1994-95, must make an additional contribution based on his or her Regular Annual Compensation in excess of $40,000 to qualify for the provisions of OAC 715:10-15-7.2. A member who chooses not to make the additional contribution payment will not qualify for the EESIP formula.
(b) The payment required for any school year between 1987-88 and 1994-95 is the contribution rate in effect for each year applied to the difference between the member's total Regular Annual Compensation and the amount contributed by or on behalf of the member during the school year. This may include compensation in excess of $25,000, when the member elected not to contribute on earnings between $25,000 and $40,000 for these school years or when the school failed to contribute on the member's total compensation up to $40,000 for any school year during this period. In addition to the contribution balance, compound interest of ten percent (10%) per annum will be included in the balance due for each year. The interest rate will be applied from June 30 of the school year to the date payment is made to the Teachers' Retirement System.
(c) To qualify for the movement of the first two (2) years of service credits performed before July 1, 1995, the member must make any payment due for the 1993-94 and 1994-95 school years. To qualify for the next two (2) years of service performed prior to July 1, 1995, the member must make any payment due for the 1991-92 and 1992-93 school years. Payment for additional years of service performed prior to July 1, 1995, will be required in descending order back to the 1987-88 school year.
(d) Payment must be made in accordance with existing Internal Revenue Service regulations in effect at the time of payment. TRS will accept after-tax contributions and pre-tax direct or indirect rollovers and transfers from 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 457 and IRA plans, when allowed by IRS regulations, and installment payment arrangements as provided under OAC 715:10-5-35. Payments may be a combination of any of the available payment methods. (Also see OAC 715:10-5-32. Roll-overs from other qualified plans or conduit IRAs.)
(e) Any payment balance(s) required for a member to qualify for the EESIP formula must be completed at least thirty (30) days before the member's retirement date.
(f) TRS staff will calculate each member's contribution deficit for any year(s) based on payroll records as reported by the employing school. When existing payroll records are not sufficient to accurately determine the member's contribution deficit, TRS has the right to request additional information from the member and/or the employing school. If additional records are required, it is the member's responsibility to obtain or cause records to be forwarded to TRS from the employing school.
(g) If a member retires on or after July 1, 2006, and before June 30, 2007, the member will be required to pay 50% of the total contribution deficit balance.
(h) If a member retires on or after July 1, 2007, and before June 30, 2008, the member will be required to pay 75% of the total contribution deficit balance.
(i) If the member retires on or after July 1, 2008, the member will be required to pay 100% of the total contribution deficit balance.
(j) TRS will accept EESIP contribution deficit payment(s) from the member at any time prior to the member's retirement. However, if at retirement it is determined that an additional balance is due, the member will be required to make the additional payment, including interest, before his or her first retirement benefit payment is due. If it is determined the member has paid more than the required balance, any difference will be refunded to the member, but no interest will be paid by TRS on the deposits, regardless of the length of time such deposits have been held by the Teachers' Retirement System.
[Source: Added at 24 Ok Reg 220, eff 10-31-06 (emergency); Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1692, eff 6-11-07]
715:10-5-5. Oklahoma service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [REVOKED]
[Source: Revoked at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-6. Verification of Oklahoma service before membership
All requests for previous or prior Oklahoma service must be properly documented. Verification of such service is the responsibility of the member. Teachers' Retirement System "Verification of Oklahoma Service" form must be completed by the current superintendent, business manager, secretary of the school board or treasurer of the school board of the school where the service was performed.
(1) An application for past Oklahoma service must be accompanied by documentation consisting of one of the following:
(A) Actual Payroll Registers - which must show names of employer/employee; employee's Social Security Number; and monthly salary.
(B) A Social Security Detailed Earnings Information Record - which must include employer and salary by calendar year.
(C) W-2 Tax Records - Actual copies for each calendar year needed or photocopies of state income tax returns.
(2) Teachers' Retirement System will review and consider other supporting documentation in conjunction or in lieu of the above. The executive director will rule on the acceptability of all documents presented by members or employing schools in determining credit for past service.
(3) Under no circumstance will TRS accept affidavits from school officials, co-workers or third parties to attest service performed by a member.
[Source: Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11]
715:10-5-7. Credit for service in other Oklahoma public retirement systems
A member of the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma may receive credit for employment covered by the following Oklahoma public retirement systems: the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System, the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges, the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, and the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). Such service must meet the minimum Teachers' Retirement System membership requirements. (See Subchapter 3)
(1) After one full year (twelve calendar months) of Teachers' Retirement System contributory service, a member is eligible to purchase service credited in another State retirement system. A certification of service form must be completed by the member's former State retirement system. The certification must show: the date of withdrawal, the salary by fiscal school year, and the total amount of credited service. It shall be the responsibility of the member to notify TRS of intent to claim such service and obtain proper documentation from the member's former State retirement system.
(2) Employment which did not qualify for membership in the former State retirement system shall not qualify for credit in TRS.
(3) Employment performed prior to the establishment of the State retirement system for the employment class shall not cause membership in TRS to be denied, however, the type of service rendered must be accepted by the appropriate State retirement system if the member were now enrolled in that retirement system.
(4) The purchase price for each year of such service shall be based on the actuarial cost of the incremental projected benefits being purchased (see OAC 715:10-5-4).
(5) Under no circumstances can the purchased creditable service exceed the total service verified or the amount of credit given by the former retirement system.
(6) Once purchased, the other State service counts towards vesting, eligibility for retirement, and final average salary. However, the last year in the member's account immediately preceding retirement must be with a public education employer that participates in Teachers' Retirement System.
(7) The member shall not be receiving, or be eligible to receive, retirement credit or benefits from said service in any other public retirement system.
[Source: Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-7.1. Transfer of service credit from the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
(a) An active member of the Teachers' Retirement System may receive credit for those years of service accumulated by the member while a member of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, provided he or she is not receiving or eligible to receive retirement credit or benefits from said service in any other public retirement system, notwithstanding the years of service sought to be transferred under this section. The member must be an active contributing member of the Teachers' Retirement System at the time application is made.
(b) A member of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System who becomes a member of the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma because of employment by an entity or institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, State Board of Education, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, State Department of Rehabilitation Services, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Department of Corrections, State Department of Education, Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools, Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, Oklahoma Student Loan Authority, or the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma may transfer to the Teachers' Retirement System credit for years of service accumulated in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.
(c) The member must file a notice with the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement System of his or her election to transfer service credit. The notice must include a list of the years to be transferred and the member's social security number or other identifying information that may be required by either retirement system to locate and evaluate the member's service credit. Qualifying service accumulated as a member of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System shall be accepted as service credit in the Teachers' Retirement System, subject to any statutory limitations, except for any service credited to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System which is derived from less than one year of employment in any school year for which the member also receives a year of service credit from the Teachers' Retirement System, unless said service credits are earned as a result of simultaneous employment with separate participating employers of the systems.
(d) Except for members transferring credit as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Teachers' Retirement System, within thirty (30) days of receipt of notification of an intent to transfer service to the member's account, shall determine the present value of the member's incremental projected benefit discounted according to the member's age at the time of the transfer. This determination shall be computed at the earliest age at which the member would be able to retire and calculated in accordance with OAC 715:10-5-4 and 70 O.S. Section 17-116.8. Said computation shall assume an unreduced benefit and be computed using interest, salary projections and mortality assumptions consistent with the actuarial assumptions adopted by the Board of Trustees for purposes of preparing the annual actuarial evaluation. Upon completion of said determination, the Teachers' Retirement System shall notify the member and the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System of the cost to transfer service. If the cost to the Teachers' Retirement System of the actuarial value of the incremental benefit is greater than the cost as calculated for the same years of service in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, the employee, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, shall elect to pay any difference to receive full credit for the years sought to be transferred, or receive prorated service credit for only the amount received from the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System. Such an election shall be made in writing, filed with the System prior to receiving the credit provided for in this section, and shall be irrevocable.
(e) Upon receipt of all monies transferred by the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System shall credit the member's account for the deposit and notify the member of any additional payment due to complete the transfer. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the member is required to pay any difference between the amount determined in subsection (d) of this section and the amount received from the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System within sixty (60) days of notification by Teachers' Retirement unless the member elects monthly installments and pays the balance due in accordance with OAC 715:10-5-4.
(f) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, any member who ceases to make payment, terminates, retires or dies before completing the payments provided for in this rule shall receive prorated service credit for only those payments made, unless the unpaid balance is paid by said member, his or her estate or successor in interest within six (6) months after said member's death, termination of employment or retirement, provided no retirement benefits shall be payable until the unpaid balance is paid, unless said member or beneficiary affirmatively waives the additional six-month period in which to pay the unpaid balance.
(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, if any member fails for any reason to satisfy the requirements of this rule, the election to transfer service credit shall be void and of no effect, and any service credited as a result of this transfer shall be canceled. Teachers' Retirement shall return to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System any monies transferred for the canceled service.
(h) Years of service transferred pursuant to this rule shall be used in determining the member's retirement benefit. Participating service, as defined by the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, shall be credited to the member's account for purposes of vesting his or her account under OAC 715:10-7-1. A member who joined the Teachers' Retirement System on or after July 1, 1992, and transfers service credit for employment performed as a member of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System on or before July 1, 1992, shall receive credit for such service as if the service were performed as a member of the Teachers' Retirement System, and the member's eligibility for retirement shall be determined as if the member had been a member of the Teachers' Retirement System from the date of such service.
[Source: Added at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3523, eff 8-26-96; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-7.2. Transfer of service credit to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
(a) Any member of the Teachers' Retirement System, who is an active member of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, may file a notice of election to transfer credit for those years of service accumulated by the member while a member of the Teachers' Retirement System.
(b) A member of the Teachers' Retirement System whose last qualifying employment was with an entity or institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, State Board of Education, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, State Department of Rehabilitation Services, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Department of Corrections, State Department of Education, Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools, Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, Oklahoma Student Loan Authority, or the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma may transfer to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System credit for years of service accumulated in the Teachers' Retirement System.
(c) The member must file a notice with the Teachers' Retirement System and the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System of the member's election to transfer service credit. The notice must include a list of the years to be transferred and the member's social security number or other identifying information that may be required by either retirement system to locate and evaluate the member's service credit.
(d) Within thirty (30) days of receipt of notification of the member's intent to transfer service to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System shall:
(1) determine the sum of the employee and employer contributions applicable to the years of service sought to be transferred plus interest consistent with the actuarial assumptions adopted by the Board of Trustees for purposes of preparing the annual actuarial evaluation, and
(2) if the member has a vested account with the Teachers' Retirement System, calculate the present value of the service to be transferred, discounted according to the member's age at the time of transfer.
(e) For purposes of this section, employer contributions apportioned to each member for each fiscal year shall be determined as a percentage of revenue received from the tax on natural gas and contributions from local employers required by 70 O.S. 17-108.1 divided by the annual payroll of active members of the Teachers' Retirement System. Total revenue from the tax on natural gas and local employers shall be apportioned to active members as a percentage of the actuarial present value of future benefits for active members divided by the actuarial present value future benefits for all members of the Teachers' Retirement System. The Board of Trustees shall approve a separate schedule using this computation for each fiscal year.
(f) The computation defined in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of this section shall assume an unreduced benefit and be computed using interest and mortality assumptions consistent with the actuarial assumptions adopted by the Board of Trustees for purposes of preparing the annual actuarial evaluation but shall not make any projections regarding future salary.
(g) Upon completion of the computation(s) defined in subsection (d) of this section, the Teachers' Retirement System shall notify the member and the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System of the amount to be transferred. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, said amount shall be the greater of the product of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) of this section. For those members included in subsection (b) of this section, the Teachers' Retirement System shall transfer to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System is amount as calculated in paragraph (d)(1) of this rule.
(h) Upon notification from the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System that the requirements of the transfer have been completed, the Teachers' Retirement System shall, within sixty (60) days, remit to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System the lesser of the amount calculated under subsection (f) of this section, or the amount certified by the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System that is necessary to effect said transfer.
(i) A former member of the Teachers' Retirement System may redeposit any previously withdrawn account for the purpose of transferring the former member's service credit to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System. The former member shall remit to the Teachers' Retirement System the amount of accumulated contributions the member has withdrawn plus simple interest of ten percent (10%) per annum prior to making the election. The deposits made by the former member will reestablish his or her account in the Teachers' Retirement System and that amount will become part of the amount to be transferred as determined in subsection (d) of this section. If the election is deemed invalid and the transfer is canceled, the accumulated contributions plus interested remitted to the Teachers' Retirement System shall be returned to the member. No additional interest will be paid by the Teachers' Retirement System in such cases.
(j) All service credit accumulated by the member in the Teachers' Retirement System shall be canceled upon the transfer of any service credit. The member shall forfeit all rights to retirement benefits or service credits in the Teachers' Retirement System, and shall be considered to have withdrawn from the Teachers' Retirement System.
(k) If for any reason the member fails to satisfy the requirements of this transfer, the election to transfer service credit shall be void and of no effect, and the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System shall return all monies previously remitted in the member's behalf. The member's account in the Teachers' Retirement System will be reestablished at the same level as before the transfer was initiated.
[Source: Added at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-7.3. Service credit transfers for TRS members who are CLEET-certified employees of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University
The statutory authority for this service credit transfer is outlined in Title 47, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 2-314 [47 O.S. 2-314].
[Source: Added at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 859, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-5-8. Revocation of $7,800 waiver
Any member who elected to contribute on $7,800 prior to January 1, 1978, whose salary was more than $7,800 during the school years 1974-75 through 1978-79, may elect to make back contributions on the difference between $7,800 and the member's actual salary, not to exceed $10,000 for each applicable school year, plus interest compounded annually at ten percent (10%) per annum. Such payment shall be made prior to the official retirement date of the member.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93]
715:10-5-9. Re-establishing withdrawn service
After returning to employment in the public schools of Oklahoma a member may redeposit a withdrawn account to re-establish service previously withdrawn from the system. For purposes of this section the following shall apply:
(1) A "classified" and "non-classified" member (except as noted in paragraph 2 of this section) who has returned to public education employment and has established one full year (twelve calendar months) of creditable Oklahoma service, is eligible to redeposit withdrawn contributions. A redeposit of withdrawn contributions must include all applicable interest, which shall be computed at a simple interest rate of ten percent (10%) per annum from the date of the withdrawal to the date repayment is made.
(2) Non-classified members who voluntarily withdrew from membership in TRS, between July 1, 1984 and June 30, 1990, without terminating employment in the public schools of Oklahoma, are not eligible to redeposit or purchase past service for any period of employment between the date of the membership period covered by the withdrawn account and the date of return to membership in TRS.
(3) Non-classified members who voluntarily cease monthly contributions to TRS while continuing to be employed in an eligible position shall be considered to have withdrawn from membership.
(4) Requests for redeposits should be made to the Teachers' Retirement System in writing. The request must include the name in which the service was rendered, the Social Security number and the number of years withdrawn.
(5) Documentation of this service is on file in the Teachers' Retirement System office and will be verified by the staff. Service that cannot be documented by researching microfilm records of the member's prior service account or the monthly remittance reports from the employing school must be purchased under the rule for establishing service prior to membership.
(6) Repayments of withdrawn accounts may be made by active contributing members of TRS in a single lump sum, which includes the withdrawn contributions and all applicable interest, or in installment payments. Such installment payments may be paid in 12-month increments, but shall be completed within 60 months. Installment payments shall include interest based upon actuarial assumptions adopted by the TRS Board of Trustees. Such installment payments shall be completed before the member's effective retirement date. No proration is allowed for partial payments. If payments terminate prior to completion of the installment agreement, the amount paid by the member shall be refunded without interest.
(7) Redepositing of withdrawn accounts must be completed, and payment made to TRS, within sixty (60) days of termination of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma, but one (1) month prior to the effective date of a member's official retirement date.
(8) No person may make a redeposit to a member's account after the death of the member.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)2; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 860, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-5-10. Military service credit
An active contributing member of TRS may purchase credit for active duty service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The member must have received an honorable discharge from the Armed Services to qualify for military service credit. Active duty is defined as that time a member served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America from the date inducted to the date of separation. (Time spent between enlistment and induction, or other time spent as a civilian between military service periods, will not be counted as military service.) Credit for military service shall not exceed the number of years obtained when the total months of service are applied to calendar years (January 1 to December 31 periods). Therefore, thirty-six (36) months of military service cannot count for more than three (3) years of TRS membership; forty-eight (48) months cannot count for more than four (4) years; etc.
715:10-5-11. Military service limited to maximum of five years [REVOKED]
[Source: Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 860, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-5-12. Military service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [REVOKED]
[Source: Revoked at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-13. Military service performed after July 1, 1943
Military service performed after July 1, 1943, may be purchased for any school year in which the member served on active duty for a minimum of six (6) months or 180 days, whichever affords the maximum benefit to the member. Time spent as a reservist at summer camps, or weekend-duty obligations, shall not be counted.
[Source: Amended at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95]
715:10-5-14. Military service combined with Oklahoma service
Active duty service after July 1, 1943 can be combined with Oklahoma service performed in the same school year to obtain one year of service. The combined service must total one hundred eighty (180) days. If the Oklahoma service to be combined with military service was not as an active contributing member of TRS, the member must have worked a minimum of ninety (90) school days in Oklahoma public schools. Any military service combined with Oklahoma service counts as one (1) year toward the maximum service allowed for military service credit.
715:10-5-15. Application for military service
Members desiring to obtain credit for military service credit should request in writing to be billed for the cost of the credit. Included with the request should be a certified copy or copies of the member's service record showing the dates and nature of the member's active military duty [Form DD-214, Form DD-217 or VA Certification of Active Duty is the type of certification accepted as documentation of active duty military service]. TRS may require the member to make available to it such other evidence as may be required to establish the member's eligibility for military service. When the system determines the duty eligible for credit, it shall bill the member for the years of eligible credit. If the member becomes eligible for additional credit after the billing by TRS it shall be the responsibility of the member to request a second billing. Payment must be made by the date shown on the billing statement to avoid additional charges that may be required after the expiration of the billing date.
[Source: Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03]
715:10-5-16. Cost to purchase military service
(a) The purchase price for each year of military service defined in OAC 715:10-5-13 shall be based on the actuarial cost as defined in OAC 715:10-5-4, except as provided in paragraph
(b) of this rule. All payments for such service must be made while an active contributing member of TRS, or within sixty (60) days of termination of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma, but must be completed prior to the effective date of retirement. No person may purchase military service credit after the date of death of the member. (b) In the event an active contributing member is called to active military duty, he or she shall be allowed to make contributions for benefits and service credits with respect to "qualified military service", in accordance with Section 414(u) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994.
[Source: Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00]
715:10-5-17. Adjustment for military service after retirement
All credit for active military duty performed after July 1, 1943, must be purchased prior to the official retirement date of the member. No credit or adjustment will be made to a member's account after retirement unless evidence points to a clear and convincing error on the part of TRS staff. The Executive Director will rule on the circumstances when such cases arise. Credit for active military duty will be accepted for eligible service prior to July 1, 1943, when evidence of such service is provided to TRS. An adjustment in the monthly retirement benefits of the member will be made beginning with the next check due if proper documentation is received by TRS by the 15th of the month. The adjustment in benefits shall not be retroactive.
[Source: Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11]
715:10-5-18. Other restrictions on military service
Military service performed after the last year of Oklahoma membership service shall not qualify as military service. A member who returns to Oklahoma public education employment after serving in the military shall purchase that military service in the same manner as a new member of TRS: i.e., the member must have two (2) years of Oklahoma service after the military service for each year of military service purchased. No military service can be used to meet the minimum requirement of five (5) full years of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma to qualify for vesting and retirement benefits.
[Source: Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05]
715:10-5-19. Out-of-state service credit
An active, contributing member of TRS may obtain out-of-state service credit for qualified employment in public educational institutions outside the State of Oklahoma which are maintained in whole or in part by one of the states of the United States of America, the territories of the United States of America, or by a Military Dependent School operating under the Department of Defense of the United States of America, or while in the Peace Corps, providing he or she is not receiving and is not eligible to receive retirement credit or benefits from said service in any other public retirement system of this state, or any other state or territory of the United States. Qualifying employment requirements shall be the same as in the public schools of Oklahoma. Employment service deemed ineligible for membership service in Oklahoma shall not qualify for out-of-state service credit under any conditions. Time of employment and salary requirements for service credit for out-of-state shall be the same as membership service and prior service credit in Oklahoma (see subchapter 3 of this chapter). The member's out-of-state service must have been covered by and credited in the employing state's public retirement system to be eligible for service credit in TRS.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-20. Out-of-state service performed prior to July 1, 1943 [REVOKED]
[Source: Revoked at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-21. Out-of-state service performed after July 1, 1943
Qualifying out-of-state service credit performed after July 1, 1943 may be purchased by any member of TRS where the member was employed as a full-time employee for a minimum of six (6) months or more during any one (1) school year, subject to the restrictions in OAC 715:10-5-19.
715:10-5-22. Out-of-state service limited to maximum of five years
Credit for out-of-state service is limited to a maximum of five (5) years. This includes credit for service both before and after July 1, 1943. No credit may be given for any year of out-of-state service which duplicates any other credit already granted or in which a year of creditable service is available for service in the public schools of Oklahoma. The member must have two (2) years of creditable Oklahoma service after each year of out-of-state service purchased. Military service credit cannot count as employment in obtaining credit for out-of-state service credit.
715:10-5-23. Out-of-state service combined with Oklahoma service
Qualifying out-of-state service after July 1, 1943 can be combined with Oklahoma service performed in the same school year to obtain one year of service. The combined service must total one hundred twenty (120) days of employment, excluding preschool conference, holidays or other days when the member was not required to report to work. If the Oklahoma service to be combined with out-of-state service was not as an active contributing member of TRS, the member must have worked a minimum of ninety (90) days in Oklahoma public schools. Under no condition may out-of-state service performed in one school year be combined with Oklahoma service in a different school year. Any service combined with Oklahoma service counts as one (1) year toward the maximum service allowed for out-of-state service credit.
715:10-5-24. Continuous, consecutive out-of-state service
Continuous consecutive out-of-state service performed in two (2) school years may be combined to receive a year of out-of-state service credit. Continuous consecutive service shall mean service performed as a full-time employee of a public school of another state without any break in employment between one school year and the next. A member employed the second semester of one school year and the first semester of the next school year may qualify for one (1) year of out-of-state credit. Under no condition shall a member receive more credit for out-of-state service than the member would have accrued had the service been performed in the public schools of Oklahoma.
715:10-5-25. Application for out-of-state service
Members desiring to obtain credit for out-of-state service credit should request in writing TRS Form 120 Verification of Out-of-State Service. Included with the request should be a list of all employment in the public schools of other states. (This will assist TRS staff in forwarding the appropriate number of application forms.) Verification forms must be completed by the state retirement system for the employing state. TRS may require the member to make available to it such other evidence as may be required to establish the member's eligibility for out-of-state service. When the system determines the service eligible for credit, it shall bill the member for the years of eligible credit. If the member becomes eligible for additional credit after the billing by TRS it shall be the responsibility of the member to request a second billing. Payment must be made by the date shown on the billing statement to avoid additional charges that may be required after the expiration of the billing date.
[Source: Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-26. Cost to purchase out-of-state service
The purchase price for each year of out-of-state service defined in OAC 715:10-5-21 shall be based on the actuarial cost as defined in OAC 715:10-5-4. All payments for such service must be made while an active contributing member of TRS, or within sixty (60) days of termination of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma, but must be completed prior to the effective date of retirement. No person may purchase out-of-state service credit after the date of death of the member.
[Source: Amended at 15 Ok Reg 48, eff 9-4-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3481, eff 7-15-98]
715:10-5-27. Other restrictions on out-of-state service
Out-of-state service performed after the last year of Oklahoma membership service shall not qualify as out-of-state credit. A member who returns to Oklahoma public education employment after working out-of-state shall purchase that out-of-state service in the same manner as a new member of TRS: i.e., the member must have two (2) years of Oklahoma service after the out-of-state service for each year of out-of-state service purchased. No out-of-state service or salaries shall be utilized for the calculation of a member's final average salary at retirement. No out-of-state service can be used to meet the minimum requirement of five (5) full years of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma to qualify for vesting and retirement benefits.
[Source: Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05]
715:10-5-28. Sick leave service credit
A member who has unused sick leave days at retirement may receive up to one (1) additional year of service credit. The additional service credit for sick leave days shall be equal to the number of unused sick leave days divided by one hundred twenty (120) days. Such service shall be added to other service credit earned while employed by the public schools of Oklahoma. It is the responsibility of the member to obtain verification of sick leave from the employing school prior to the member's official retirement date. No adjustment in retirement benefits shall be made for sick leave documented after the member's retirement date. Sick leave cannot be combined with out-of-state, military service or any non-public Oklahoma school employment to obtain additional credit toward retirement. Service credit obtained by unused sick leave may be used in qualifying for retirement benefits under the "Combination of 80," "Combination of 90," and “Rule of 90/Minimum 60.” For any member who joined TRS prior to July 1, 1995, the year of credit received for sick leave shall be treated as service earned prior to July 1, 1995. Unused sick leave may not be used to vest an account or to meet the minimum requirement of five (5) years of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma to qualify for retirement benefits. Sick leave accumulated while employed by any employer other than a public school as defined by 70 O.S. 17-101 shall not be counted for purposes of obtaining additional retirement credit under this rule.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 860, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-5-29. Verification of accumulated sick leave
Sick leave can only be verified on termination of employment, or when filing a retirement contract. The verification must be made by the superintendent, financial officer, clerk of the board of education, or treasurer of the school district who must attest to the accuracy of the records used to make the verification. The verification must be based on records maintained and available at the local school and must be in keeping with local board policy. TRS will accept the employer's sick leave policy of awarding sick leave, however, in no instance will TRS accept more than fifteen (15) days of unused accumulated sick leave for any one (1) school year. An employer may not grant additional sick leave for the purpose of establishing, or adding to, the member's total service credit. Sick leave donated by other employees cannot be added to a member's sick leave record for purposes of this rule. The System may require the employing school to make available to it such other evidence as may be required to establish the member's eligibility for sick leave credit. Unused sick leave can be accumulated from the date of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma, or August 1, 1959, whichever occurred last, to the date of termination of employment in the public schools of Oklahoma. Reimbursements received by a member for unused sick leave accumulated prior to retirement shall not be considered as "regular annual compensation" as defined in OAC 715:10-13-1 and not subject to TRS contributions as provided for in Subchapter 13 of this chapter. (NOTE: Employers are encouraged to establish a system of tracking total days earned and used, even when the total days credited exceed the maximum limit set for local policy.)
[Source: Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-5-30. Ten-year averaging of sick leave
When a member cannot obtain documentation of accumulated sick leave because records at the employing school(s) are not available, TRS will calculate an average using the last ten (10) years of employment. The number of days absent each year during the last ten (10) years shall be averaged to determine the average number of sick leave days used each year. The average sick leave used will be subtracted from a standard ten (10) days per school year and the difference multiplied by the total years of creditable Oklahoma membership service.
715:10-5-31. Documentation of service
TRS reserves the right to require documentation of all service years credited to a member's account.
(1) Members who are claiming eligible service after the school year in which it was actually rendered must verify the claim on the appropriate Teachers' Retirement System form. The specific documentation required will depend on the type of service being purchased. Under no circumstances will affidavits be accepted as documentation.
(2) The ultimate responsibility for obtaining verification of service is that of the member.
(3) The correctness of the service must be certified on the appropriate form by an official of the school where the service was rendered. This can be done by the superintendent, business manager, secretary of the school board, or treasurer of the school board at the time the certification is made. The certification must be based upon existing records maintained by the school and certified copies of these records must be attached to the application.
(4) TRS will also accept federal or state tax records, or Detailed Earnings Information records from the Social Security Administration, as supporting documentation of employment where records cannot be obtained from the employing school, or where the records available are not deemed to be conclusive.
(5) No credit may be granted unless clear and convincing proof of eligible service has been provided from a source other than the applicant member. A conclusion that clear and convincing proof has not been provided should in no way be construed as a challenge to the member's or any other affidavit's truthfulness and integrity.
(6) The executive director of TRS shall be empowered to determine the completeness of documents submitted by a member in establishing service credit.
[Source: Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11]
715:10-5-32. Roll-overs from other qualified plans or conduit IRAs
Credit for past service, including redeposits of withdrawn Oklahoma service, defined in this subchapter, contribution deficit payments provided for by 70 O.S. § 17-116.2C or balances due as authorized under 70 O.S. § 17-116.2, may be purchased with roll-overs from another retirement plan if allowed by the Internal Revenue Code. This includes "conduit IRAs" which have been established with funds received from a 401(a) plan distribution for the purpose of holding the funds separate until a rollover can be consummated, traditional IRAs, 403(b) tax-deferred annuity plans, 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans. For a roll-over payment to be accepted by Teachers' Retirement the following conditions must be met:
(1) The member should contact Teachers' Retirement to obtain a billing statement for the service to be purchased and convey the intent to make total or partial payment by a roll-over.
(2) The member must obtain written documentation from the originating institution verifying the amount of the distribution and that the monies came from a qualified plan under the Internal Revenue Code.
(3) The roll-over check from the qualified plan must be made payable to the Oklahoma Teachers' Retirement System, For Benefit Of and the member's name. The member must deliver the check to Teachers' Retirement with the required documentation and the billing statement for the service to be purchased. Teachers' Retirement will only accept payment for the amount of the billing statement. If the distribution from the originating institution is greater than the billing, the originating institution must be willing to generate a check payable to Teachers' Retirement for the exact amount of the billing statement. If the distribution from the originating institution is less than the billing, a personal check or cashier's check must accompany the roll-over proceeds, or the member may pay the balance through an installment payment plan. Payments in excess of the billing will not be accepted.
(4) A receipt for the payment will be issued after Teachers' Retirement has determined all documentation and the appropriate amount of funds have been received.
(5) Roll-overs must comply fully with the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations.
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 382, eff 10-16-02 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Added at 24 Ok Reg 220, eff 10-31-06 (emergency); Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1692, eff 6-11-07]
715: 10-5-33. Credit for Family Leave [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Added at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 861, eff 8-1-12]
715: 10-5-34. Credit for Adjunct Service
(a) A Teachers' Retirement System member who was employed in an adjunct position in an institution under The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education before joining the Retirement System may purchase service credit for that employment.
(b) The member may purchase one year of service credit for each school year in which he or she worked a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours in such an adjunct position, up to a maximum five (5) years. Such purchased service credit shall be considered contributing service for vesting and retirement.
(c) The purchase price for eligible adjunct service credit shall be based upon actuarial cost as defined in OAC 715:10-5-4. All payments for such service credit must be made while the member is an active contributing member or within sixty (60) days after the end of the member's employment in the public schools in Oklahoma, and must be completed before the member's effective retirement date. No person may purchase service credit for such adjunct employment after the member's death.
(d) The payments for such service credit may be made in one lump sum or in equal monthly installments for up to sixty (60) months, as provided in OAC 715:10-5-4 (9).
[Source: Added at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Added at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01]
715:10-5-35. Employer pick-up of purchase of service credit
(a) The purpose of OAC 715:10-5-35 is to provide a pick-up of employee contributions by participating employers under Section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for contributions that are made for the purpose of purchasing service credit or re-establishing withdrawn service under Chapter 10, Subchapter 5 of these Rules, and for contribution deficit payments provided for by 70 O.S. § 17-116.2C or balances due as authorized under 70 O.S. § 17-116.2, Employers may elect to participate in the pick-up of employee contributions made for the purpose of purchasing service credits, or re-establishing withdrawn service by a resolution adopting the provisions of this regulation.
(b) An active member of the Teachers' Retirement System (employed by a participating employer) who elects to purchase or re-establish service credit under any applicable provision of Chapter 10, Subchapter 5 of these Rules, or to make contribution deficit payments provided for by 70 O.S. § 17-116.2C or balances due as authorized under 70 O.S. § 17-116.2 through installments in accordance with a schedule established by the Board of Trustees, may elect to do so through a binding, irrevocable payroll reduction authorization.
(c) An active member of the Teachers' Retirement System, having executed a binding, irrevocable payroll reduction authorization with respect to any such contributions, shall not be entitled to any option of choosing to receive the contributed amounts directly instead of having them paid by the employer to the Teachers' Retirement System. Such contributions shall be remitted to the Teachers' Retirement System and credited to the member in the same manner as all other employee contributions. Such contributions, although designated as employee contributions, will be paid by the employer in lieu of contributions by the employee. The contributions so assumed shall be treated as tax-deferred employer "pick-up" contributions pursuant to the United States Internal Revenue Code Section 414(h)(2), as authorized in a favorable letter ruling by the Internal Revenue Service.
(d) An active member of the Teachers' Retirement System may elect to pay all or part of any contribution to purchase or re-establish service credit or to make contribution deficit payments provided for by 70 O.S. § 17-116.2C or balances due as authorized under 70 O.S. § 17-116.2 through such payroll reduction. The amount by which an employee's compensation will be reduced and the duration of the reduction shall be specified on the authorization form prescribed by the Board of Trustees and the amounts and duration shall be irrevocable and binding once made. Prepayment of amounts covered by the authorization is not permitted. However, nothing herein shall prevent a member from paying any amounts not covered by the authorization with after-tax dollars, provided that any such after-tax payments by an employee of a participating employer shall be paid directly by the employee to the Teachers' Retirement System, as opposed to being paid to or withheld by the participating employer. An employee of non-participating employer may purchase service credit or re-establish withdrawn service by making after-tax payments directly to the Teachers' Retirement System.
(e) No such payroll reduction shall begin unless and until the member executes the payroll reduction authorization described below on a form prescribed by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will send such form to the treasurer or other disbursing officer of the participating employer. After receiving the binding, irrevocable payroll reduction authorization, the treasurer or other disbursing officer of each participating employer shall reduce the member's regular annual compensation by the authorized amount and remit these contributions to OTRS, in addition to (but separate from) the mandatory contributions from the member's regular annual compensation pursuant to 70 O.S., §17-116.2 and OAC 715:10-13-3. The participating employer shall continue to make such reductions for the number of months specified on the form and shall treat these reductions as picked-up contributions.
(f) All such payroll reductions, including the amounts and the duration specified, shall be binding and irrevocable upon the member's execution of the prescribed form.
(g) Notwithstanding the above, such reductions will cease only after the authorization has expired by its terms or upon any of the following events:
(1) The member's death. In the event of a member's death, the designated beneficiary shall have the option of paying the remaining amount owed (using after-tax dollars) within six (6) months of the member's death. If the balance is not paid, the beneficiary shall be entitled to prorated credit for that portion of the additional contributions actually made for service purchases prior to the member's death. If there is any remaining amount owed with respect to a redeposit of contributions, the designated beneficiary will be reimbursed for those redeposits which had already been paid at the time of the member's death. A beneficiary may not make payments for a purchase of service credit or a re-deposit of contributions if such a purchase or re-deposit had not been initiated by the member prior to the member's death.
(2) The termination of the member's employment. In this event, the member shall have the right to pay the remaining amount owed (using after-tax dollars) within six (6) months of the member's termination of employment, but payment must be completed one (1) month prior to the effective retirement date of the member. If the member retires and does not pay the entire remaining amount, the member shall be entitled to prorated service credit for those payments actually made for service purchases. If there is any remaining amount owed with respect to a redeposit of contributions, the member shall be reimbursed for those redeposits which had already been paid at the time of the member's termination. In the situation where a terminated member becomes employed by another employer participating in OTRS, the member may elect to reinstate or not reinstate his authorization with the new employer.
(3) For purposes of (1) and (2) above, after-tax contributions shall only be received to the extent allowed by section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(h) In no event shall the member receive a return of the payroll reductions made hereunder, except as a refund together with all other contributions, as provided in OAC 715:10-11-1 et seq. or as a refund of a redeposit of contributions as provided in subsection g.(2) herein.
(i) Payroll reductions and installment agreements hereunder shall last no longer than sixty (60) months.
[Source: Added at 19 Ok Reg 95, eff 8-10-01 (emergency); Added at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Added at 24 Ok Reg 220, eff 10-31-06 (emergency); Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1692, eff 6-11-07]
Subchapter 7. Membership Vesting and Termination
715:10-7-1. Vesting of membership in TRS
715:10-7-2. Limitation of benefits to an inactive, vested member
715:10-7-3. Termination because of absence
715:10-7-4. Extension of TRS membership after absence
715:10-7-5. Retired members
715:10-7-6. Termination of a non-eligible person
715:10-7-1. Vesting of membership in TRS
Members who have accumulated five (5) or more years of creditable service in the public schools of Oklahoma, on which retirement contributions have been remitted, and whose account had not closed prior to July 1, 2003, in accordance with 70 O.S. § 17-103(6) or OAC 715:10-7-3, shall be granted an indefinite extension of membership in TRS. Such membership is vested and shall remain open until the member retires or the contributions are voluntarily withdrawn. Military and out-of-state service shall not be included in the five (5) years required for vesting. Any year of service obtained by the use of accumulated unused sick leave cannot be included in the five (5) years required for vesting. Any member who joins TRS after July 1, 1991, shall be required to have five (5) full years of membership as a contributing member of the System. For members who join after July 1, 1991, Oklahoma service purchased after membership will not be counted for "vesting" purposes.
[Source: Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)1; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04]
715:10-7-2. Limitation of benefits to an inactive, vested member
A member who has a vested account, but who terminates employment and no longer remits contributions, has an "inactive-vested" account. An inactive-vested member is not entitled to the following:
(1) Statutory death benefit payable to the beneficiaries of an active member.
(2) Participation in the Teachers' Retirement System tax-sheltered annuity program.
(3) Option to elect, by the member's spouse, retirement benefits in lieu of a lump sum payment of account balance at the member's death.
(4) The purchase of any additional past service credits.
(5) Insurance coverage from the State and Education Employees Group Health Insurance Program, unless proper application is made for such coverage within thirty (30) days of termination of employment. (See Subchapter 23 of this chapter for more information about group health insurance.)
715:10-7-3. Termination because of absence
Membership in the Teachers' Retirement System shall terminate if the member ceases to be an active contributing member for a period of five (5) consecutive school years unless the member has five (5) or more years of creditable service in the public schools of Oklahoma and does not voluntarily withdraw his account.
(1) Membership rights shall be protected during an absence of not more than five (5) years, in any period of six (6) consecutive years, for non-vested members; (i.e., for members who have less than five (5) years of contributory employment in the public schools of Oklahoma).
(2) If employment terminates with the close of the school term, the five (5) year period of absence shall begin with the next fiscal year. If employment ends during the school term, the period of absence shall begin the first day of the month that follows termination.
(3) After a non-vested member is absent from employment in the public schools of Oklahoma for five (5) years during any period of six (6) consecutive years, the member's Teachers' Retirement System account shall be closed with no rights to monthly retirement benefits. The member's contributions should be withdrawn as no interest accrues on accounts closed because of absence from employment.
(4) A member whose absence exceeds five (5) years due to military service shall be granted an eighteen (18) month extension, from date of discharge, to re-enter Oklahoma public education employment in order to retain membership in Teachers' Retirement System.
[Source: Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)1; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04]
715:10-7-4. Extension of TRS membership after absence
A member with less than five (5) years of creditable Oklahoma membership service, who has been absent from such service for less than five (5) years during any period of six (6) consecutive years, may extend TRS membership by returning to fulltime employment for one (1) school year.
(1) If a five (5) year period of absence ends with the close of a school year, membership shall terminate June 30 of the corresponding fiscal year. Except that, membership shall not terminate if the member returns to fulltime Oklahoma public schools employment no later than September 30 the same calendar year.
(2) If the five (5) year period of absence terminates at any other time during the school year, membership shall terminate the last day of the last month of employment. Membership shall not terminate if the member returns to employment in the Oklahoma public schools no later than the last day of the succeeding calendar month.
(3) Unless otherwise specified, a ten (10) month school term shall be considered a school year. In adding fractions to equal a year of employment, membership shall extend five (5) years from the close of the school year during which the member worked the first fractional part.
(4) A member whose account has closed, but has not withdrawn contributions, may apply for re-instatement after returning to employment in the public schools of Oklahoma and completing one (1) full year (twelve calendar months) as a contributing member of TRS. Upon completion of one (1) full year the member's account will be restored to full status with all rights provided to other members.
[Source: Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)1; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04]
715:10-7-5. Retired members
A retired member receiving a service retirement annuity may not be reinstated to active membership, which was terminated as a result of retirement, nor receive credit for additional membership service, except as provided in OAC 715:10-17-13. Disability retirement may be reinstated under certain conditions (see OAC 715:10-15-21).
[Source: Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00]
715:10-7-6. Termination of a non-eligible person
A member who is employed by a public education entity, in a position which is not eligible for membership must terminate membership. All contributions remitted for a non-eligible person will be refunded with no interest. If an eligible member's employment is changed to a status that no longer qualifies for membership in TRS, the member's account will be terminated in the same manner as if the member has withdrawn from employment in the public schools of Oklahoma.
[Source: Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 861, eff 8-1-12]
Subchapter 9. Survivor Benefits
715:10-9-1. Return of contributions when death occurs before retirement
715:10-9-2. Death benefit when death occurs before retirement [REVOKED]
715:10-9-3. Monthly annuity in lieu of death benefit
715:10-9-4. Death benefit when death occurs after retirement [REVOKED]
715:10-9-5. Payments to beneficiaries of deceased members
715:10-9-6. Probate Waivers [REVOKED]
715:10-9-7. Beneficiary designation following a divorce
715:10-9-1. Return of contributions when death occurs before retirement
Upon the death of a member, who has not retired, the designated beneficiary, or estate (if there is no designated beneficiary, or if the designated beneficiary predeceases the member) shall receive the member's total contributions, plus one hundred percent (100%) of all interest earned through the end of the fiscal year. Interest shall cease to accumulate with the payment of any portion of the member's contributions and interest to any beneficiary. Interest on death claims shall be calculated according to the following schedule: [See OAC 715:10-9-7, if the member and beneficiary were divorced before death].
(1) July 1, 1968, through June 30, 1977, four and one-half percent (4 1/2%), compounded annually.
(2) July 1, 1977, through June 30, 1981, seven percent (7), compounded annually.
(3) July 1, 1981, to present, eight percent (8%), compounded annually.
[Source: Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-9-2. Death benefit when death occurs before retirement [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 861, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-9-3. Monthly annuity in lieu of death benefit
The designated beneficiary of an active contributing member, who qualified for service retirement, may elect to receive-in lieu of the return of contributions and the $18,000 death benefit the retirement benefit to which the deceased member would have been entitled at the time of death under the Option 2 retirement plan. To qualify for this option, the designated beneficiary must have been named as the primary beneficiary at the time of the member's death (see OAC 715:10-15-1 and 10-15-2). This option is only available when the member has designated one individual as the designated beneficiary, and the beneficiary is the member’s spouse or someone who is not more than 10 years younger than the member. [See OAC 715:10-9-7, if the member and beneficiary were divorced before death].
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 861, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-9-4. Death Benefit when death occurs after retirement [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 12 Ok Reg 841, eff 1-5-95 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 48, eff 9-4-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3481, eff 7-15-98; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 861, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-9-5. Payments to beneficiaries of deceased members
Death benefit payments will be made by TRS to the beneficiary(s) of each deceased member as expeditiously as possible. The following documents must be provided to TRS before payment can be made.
(1) The designated beneficiary(s) must provide a certified copy of the death certificate and complete a Claimant's Affidavit Form.
(2) When no designated beneficiary has been named or the designated beneficiary(s) predeceases the member, and no waiver is sought, permitted or allowed pursuant to OAC 715:10-9-6, the executor/administrator of the member's estate must provide a certified copy of the death certificate, complete Claimant's Affidavit Form, and provide Letters of Testamentary or other documentation of court appointment.
(3) Payments to minor children named as beneficiaries shall be made in accordance with applicable Oklahoma statutes. However, all such payments shall be distributed in accordance with the requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and any regulations under that section. [See OAC 715:10-9-7, if the member and beneficiary were divorced before death].
(4) The beneficiary(ies) of the $5,000 or $18,000 death benefit may sign an Irrevocable Assignment of Death Benefit and Qualified Disclaimer to directly transfer all or a portion of the death benefit to a licensed funeral director or facility.
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4785, eff 9-12-94 (emergency); Amended at 12 Ok Reg 841, eff 1-5-95 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 862, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-9-6. Probate Waivers [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 12 Ok Reg 841, eff 1-15-95 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3523, eff 8-26-96; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 862, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-9-7. Beneficiary designation following a divorce
Following a divorce between an active or retired member and his or her spouse whom the member had designated as a beneficiary, the former spouse shall be treated as having predeceased the member for purposes of the death benefit payment and/or a return of contributions from the deceased member's Teachers' Retirement System account, unless the member has renamed the former spouse as a designated beneficiary. (Note: The beneficiary designation is voided by this section and 15 O.S.§178, only if the member's designation of beneficiary was signed and dated after November 1, 1987).
[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Added at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 3073, eff 7-27-06]
Subchapter 11. Withdrawal from Membership and Refund of Deposits
715:10-11-1. Withdrawal from membership by an eligible person
715:10-11-2. Withdrawal of optional membership while still employed
715:10-11-3. False affidavits
715:10-11-4. Refunds of contributions
715:10-11-5. Termination of rights to benefits
715:10-11-6. Reinstatement of an account
715:10-11-7. Rollovers from OTRS to other eligible retirement plans
715:10-11-1. Withdrawal from membership by an eligible person
Any member who terminates employment in the public schools of Oklahoma may voluntarily withdraw from membership in the Teachers' Retirement System under the following conditions:
(1) The Teachers' Retirement System law provides that members who leave Oklahoma public education employment are eligible to withdraw the contributions made to their TRS account four (4) months after termination. A former employee may submit application for the proceeds of the account after the last day physically worked. Withdrawal payment can be made no earlier than four (4) months after the last public school employment. There are no exceptions to this waiting period. Withdrawal forms may be obtained by contacting the TRS office. Last day of employment shall be defined as:
(A) For teachers - the actual last teaching day in the classroom;
(B) For other personnel - the actual last day on the job.
(2) Written verification from the school's payroll department of a member's termination of employment and/or non-resumption of teaching contract must be on file before processing the Application for Withdrawal.
(3) The years of membership shall be calculated as follows:
(A) For withdrawal purposes - from the date of the first contribution of the current membership to the date of withdrawal, except that member accounts closed in compliance with OAC 715:10-7-3 will be from the date of the first contribution to the date the account is closed.
(B) For payment of interest purposes - from the date of the first contribution of the current membership to the date of withdrawal, except that member accounts closed in compliance with OAC 715:10-7-3 will be from the date of the first contribution to the date the account is closed.
(4) Interest rate on withdrawals shall be paid as follows:
(A) July 1, 1968 through June 30, 1977 - four and one-half percent (4 1/2%), compounded annually.
(B) July 1, 1977 through June 30, 1981 -seven percent (7%), compounded annually.
(C) As of July 1, 1981 to present - eight percent (8%), compounded annually.
(5) Interest payment on withdrawals shall be paid as follows:
(A) If termination occurs within sixteen (16) years from the date membership began, fifty (50) percent of the total accrued interest shall be paid.
(B) With at least sixteen (16) but less than twenty-one (21) years of membership, sixty (60) percent of the total accrued interest shall be paid.
(C) With at least twenty-one (21) but less than twenty-six (26) years of membership, seventy-five (75) percent of the total accrued interest shall be paid.
(D) With at least twenty-six (26) years of membership, ninety (90) percent of the total accrued interest shall be paid.
(6) The Board of Trustees has ruled that a person whose membership has not terminated due to five (5) years of absence from Oklahoma public education employment, but who has applied to withdraw all accumulated contributions, shall not have membership terminated until the withdrawal check has been accepted and cashed.
(7) Effective July 1, 1990, no member is eligible to withdraw contributions made on a pre-tax basis, unless the employee has terminated employment in the public schools for a period of four months.
[Source: Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)1; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)2; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 862, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-11-2. Withdrawal of optional membership while still employed
A non-classified optional member may voluntarily terminate TRS membership while continuing employment in the public schools of Oklahoma, if:
(1) Proper application is made to TRS. Withdrawal may be made no earlier than two (2) months after date of application and no earlier than the receipt by TRS of the final deposit to the member's account.
(2) The financial officer of the employing school certifies the member’s election to stop contributions and the date the member's last contributions will be remitted to TRS.
(3) Any member who withdraws under the conditions listed here may rejoin the Teachers' Retirement System, under the provision of OAC 715:10-1-4(8). A member who terminates membership under this section cannot redeposit contributions withdrawn under this section at a later date, even if the individual returns to membership in TRS. The member will also forfeit any right to purchase service performed from the date of termination of membership under this section and prior to the re-entry date, and will forfeit any unused sick leave accumulated from the date of termination of membership under this section and prior to the re-entry date.
(4) A member's contributions cannot be terminated, by either the member or the employer, without termination of TRS membership. Any member who ceases contributions while still employed in an optional position shall be deemed to have become an ineligible member of TRS, and will have forfeited all rights to retirement benefits provided by TRS.
(5) An employer may prevent its employees from withdrawing, under this rule, if the employer has a negotiated labor agreement, or formalized IRS plan, prohibiting such terminations and withdrawals.
(6) After-tax contributions can be refunded to an optional member prior to separation from service. Pre-tax contributions cannot be refunded until the member terminates employment or turns 62. Following termination of employment, TRS should be contacted for the proper form to be completed for return of pre-tax contributions. Upon completion of the verification form by the school and the mandatory four-month waiting period, payment of the balance of the account will be made at the same time as regular withdrawals.
[Source: Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)1; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2247, eff 3-5-03 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 863, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-11-3. False affidavits
A member who makes affidavit that he has permanently terminated his employment in state-supported public education in Oklahoma but who is so employed, orwho contracts for such employment before he receives the refund of his TRS account, shall not be entitled to the refund. If the refund is made in error because the Teachers' Retirement System is not aware of the continued employment, necessary steps will be taken to secure the redeposit of the withdrawn account with interest compounded annually at ten percent (10%) per annum. No benefits subsequently earned will be paid until this withdrawn account is returned to the Teachers' Retirement System.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93]
715:10-11-4. Refunds of contributions
Refunds for overpayment of annual contributions, ineligible service purchases, and membership service contributions of less than six (6) months shall be made upon request by the employing school.
(1) Refunds to members who are terminating accounts will not be made until the final contributions of the withdrawing member is received and posted to his account. The required application must be completed and on file.
(2) No interest shall be paid on refunds.
(3) Contributions reported by the employer as "pre-tax" contributions will be refunded to the employer.
715:10-11-5. Termination of rights to benefits
Withdrawal of an account terminates the right to benefits for all service prior to the date of withdrawal, unless credit is reinstated by subsequent service and repayment as provided by the statutes.
715:10-11-6. Reinstatement of an account
A member who has withdrawn an account may reinstate the account, and receive credit for the service, by meeting the requirements of OAC 715:10-5-9.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95]
715:10-11-7. Rollovers from OTRS to other eligible retirement plans
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the administrative code that otherwise would limit a distributee's election to make a direct rollover, a distributee may elect at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Board of Trustees to have all or a portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to another eligible retirement plan as a direct rollover as required under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(31) and the regulations thereto.
(b) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of the words and phrases used in this Section:
(1) An "eligible rollover distribution" includes any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an eligible rollover distribution does not include the following:
(A) any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments, paid not less frequently than annually, made for the life or life expectancy of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the distributee's designated beneficiary.
(B) any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for a specified period of ten years or more.
(C) any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(1)(9).
(D) the portion of any distribution that is not includable in gross income.
(E) any distributions during a year that are reasonably expected to total less than $200.
(F) Effective January 1, 2002, the definition of eligible rollover distribution also includes a distribution to a surviving spouse, or to a spouse or former spouse who is an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 414(p) and OAC 715:10-25-1.
(G) Effective January 1, 2002, a portion of a distribution will not fail to be an eligible rollover distribution merely because the portion consists of after-tax employee contributions that are not includible in gross income. However, such portion may be transferred only
(i) to an individual retirement account or annuity described in Internal Revenue Code Section 408(a) or (b) or to a qualified defined contribution plan described in Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a) that agrees to separately account for amounts so transferred (and earnings thereon), including separately accounting for the portion of the distribution that is includible in gross income and the portion of the distribution that is not so includible;
(ii) on or after January 1, 2007, to a qualified defined benefit plan described in Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a) or to an annuity contract described in Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b), that agrees to separately account for amounts so transferred (and earnings thereon), including separately accounting for the portion of the distribution that is includible in gross income and the portion of the distribution that is not so includible; or
(H) on or after January 1, 2008, to a Roth IRA described in Internal Revenue Code Section 408A.
(2) An "eligible retirement plan" includes any of the following that accepts the distributee's eligible rollover distribution:
(A) an individual retirement account described in Internal Revenue Code Section 408(a);
(B) an individual retirement annuity described in Internal Revenue Code Sections 408 (b);
(C) an annuity plan described in Internal Revenue Code Section 403(a);
(D) a qualified trust described in Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a);
(E) effective January 1, 2002, an annuity contract described in Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b);
(F) effective January 1, 2002, a plan eligible under Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b) that is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or a political subdivision of a state that agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into that plan from the retirement system; or
(G) effective January 1, 2008, a Roth IRA described in Internal Revenue Code Section 408A.
(3) A "distributee" means a member, a member's spouse, or a member's former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic order, as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 414(p) and OAC 715:10-25-1. Before January 1, 2002, in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to the member's spouse, an eligible retirement plan only includes an individual retirement account or an individual retirement annuity described in Internal Revenue Code Sections 408(a) or (b). Effective January 1, 2007, a distributee further includes a nonspouse beneficiary who is a designated beneficiary as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9)(E). However, a nonspouse beneficiary may rollover the distribution only to an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity (or, effective January 1, 2008, a Roth IRA) established for the purpose of receiving the distribution, and the account or annuity will be treated as an "inherited" individual retirement account or annuity.
(4) "Direct rollover" means a payment by the plan to the eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.
(c) Eligible rollover distributions may be paid to not more than two eligible retirement plans, as selected by the distributee, when a direct rollover is elected.
[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 4785, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 318, eff 11-12-08 (emergency); Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2379, eff 6-25-09]
Subchapter 13. Contributions for Membership Service
715:10-13-1. Regular annual compensation requirements [REVOKED]
715:10-13-2. Contributions required on all compensation
715:10-13-3. Employee contribution rates
715:10-13-3.1. Employer contribution rates [Revoked]
715:10-13-3.2. Employer contribution rates for employers other than comprehensive and regional four-year universities beginning July 1, 2007 [Expired]
715:10-13-3.3. Employer contribution rates comprehensive and regional four-year universities beginning July 1, 2007 [Expired]
715:10-13-4. Maximum compensation level election for years prior to July 1, 1995
715:10-13-4.1. Maximum compensation level election for the 1995-96 school year [REVOKED]
715:10-13-5. Compensation corrections
715:10-13-6. Employee contributions paid by the employer
715:10-13-7. Matching funds
715:10-13-8. Procedure for making contribution deductions
715:10-13-9. Monthly remittance report of contributions [REVOKED]
715:10-13-10. Annual report of employment
715:10-13-11. Percentage limits on compensation increases
715:10-13-12. Contracts bought-up by employer
715:10-13-13. Contributions while receiving payments from Workers' Compensation
715:10-13-14. Termination credit for state agency employees who are members of the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma
715:10-13-1. Regular annual compensation requirements [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 863, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-13-2. Contributions required on all compensation
Contributions shall be made on total compensation of each member. Total compensation means salary and benefits from all sources including federally-subsidized programs under the direct administration of a public school and salaries earned by an employee for extra duties. This includes pay to a teacher who also drives a school bus, members of TRS who are working part-time for another school and members employed on a regular basis who are employed by the same or different school in a summer school or night school program. All public schools shall treat the employee contributions as being picked-up under the provisions of Section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Individuals who join the Teachers' Retirement System during the school year and who have been employed prior to becoming a member must make retroactive contributions from the beginning of that school year. The membership date of such a member is the date the first payment is received, not the beginning of the school year. The member shall not receive credit for a year of service until the balance of contributions, including any contributions required by the employer, are received by TRS.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-13-3. Employee contribution rates
(a) Beginning with the 1996-97 school year, the maximum compensation level for all members, other than those members employed by a comprehensive university on or before June 30, 1995, shall be the member's regular annual compensation. This includes any employee of a comprehensive university who transfers to another school or university after June 30, 1996, or who terminates paid employment status with a comprehensive university and returns to employment at a later date.
(b) Beginning with the 1996-97 school year, the maximum compensation level for those employees of a "comprehensive university", defined in statutes as the University of Oklahoma and all of its constituent agencies, including the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the University of Oklahoma Law Center and the Geological Survey, and Oklahoma State University and all of its constituent agencies, including the Oklahoma State Agricultural Experiment Station, the Oklahoma State University Agricultural Extension Division, the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, the Technical Branch at Oklahoma City the Technical Branch at Okmulgee and Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, who were employed on or before June 30, 1995, shall contribute the following:
(1) for members who, prior to June 30, 1995, elected to contribute on a maximum compensation level not to exceed $25,000:
(A) $32,500 for service between July 1, 1996 and June 30, 1997,
(B) $37,500 for service between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 1998,
(C) $42,500 for service between July 1, 1998 and June 30, 2000,
(D) $47,500 for service between July 1, 2000, and June 30, 2001,
(E) $52,500 for service between July 1, 2001, and June 30, 2002,
(F) $57,500.00 for service between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003,
(G) $62,500.00 for service between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004,
(H) $67,500.00 for service between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005,
(I) $72,500.00 for service between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006,
(J) $77,500.00 for service between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, and
(K) the full amount of regular annual compensation for service authorized and performed after June 30, 2007, and
(2) for members who, prior to June 30, 1995, elected to contribute on a maximum compensation level in excess of $25,000, or who did not make an election prior to June 30, 1995, because their annual salary was less than $25,000:
(A) $49,000 for service between July 1, 1996 and June 30, 1997,
(B) $54,000 for service between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 1998,
(C) $59,000 for service between July 1, 1998 and June 30, 2000,
(D) $64,000 for service between July 1, 2000, and June 30, 2001,
(E) $69,000 for service between July 1, 2001, and June 30, 2002,
(F) $74,000 for service between July 1, 2002, but not later than June 30, 2003,
(G) $79,000 for service between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004,
(H) $84,000 for service between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005,
(I) $89,000 for service between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006,
(J) $94,000 for service between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, and
(K) the full amount of regular annual compensation for service authorized and performed after June 30, 2007.
(c) Every teacher employed by any school district or Career and Technology Education district, who qualifies for a minimum salary pursuant to the State's minimum salary schedule shall have a specific amount credited against the employee's contribution to the Teachers' Retirement System. The State of Oklahoma shall pay an annual amount for each fiscal (or plan) year as follows:
(1) 0 years of service = $60.15
(2) 1 year of service = $103.41
(3) 2 years of service = $145.65
(4) 3 years of service = $188.15
(5) 4 years of service = $233.33
(6) 5 years of service = $278.76
(7) 6 years of service = $325.26
(8) 7 years of service = $372.82
(9) 8 years of service = $421.44
(10) 9 years of service = $471.12
(11) 10 years of service = $521.87
(12) 11 years of service = $573.67
(13) 12 years of service = $626.54
(14) 13 years of service = $680.48
(15) 14 years of service = $735.47
(16) 15 years of service = $791.53
(17) 16 years of service = $848.65
(18) 17 years of service = $906.83
(19) 18 years of service = $966.07
(20) 19 years of service = $1,026.38
(21) 20 years of service = $1,087.75
(22) 21 years of service = $1,150.18
(23) 22 years of service = $1,213.68
(24) 23 years of service = $1,278.23
(25) 24 years of service = $1,343.85
(26) 25 or more years of service = $1,410.53
(d) Each school district or Career and Technology Education school district shall adjust each eligible employee's monthly contribution to the Teachers' Retirement System in accordance with statutory provisions, and shall cause the annual amount paid by the State of Oklahoma as provided in the preceding paragraph to be deducted from the monthly remittance to each eligible employee's retirement account and a like amount added to the net pay of the eligible employee.
(1) If the school district pays the retirement contribution in addition to the employee's total compensation, the employer must reduce the employee's annual retirement contribution which the school pays to the Teachers' Retirement System by the appropriate amount and add that amount to each eligible employee's net pay.
(2) If the school district deducts the retirement contribution from each employee's total compensation, whether as a salary reduction to pay the retirement contribution as a fringe benefit or as a deduction on an after-tax basis, the employer must adjust the employee's annual retirement deduction in accordance with the amount to be paid by the State. The adjustment in the retirement deduction will result in an increase to the eligible employee's net pay.
(3) The State contribution to each eligible employee's retirement account is determined by the total experience of each employee as verified by the State Department of Education or the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
(4) The State contribution must be calculated and paid in equal monthly installments as determined by the eligible employee's contract, i.e. ten months, eleven months or twelve months. Eligible employees who work less than a full contract year, whether full-time for less than a full contract year or part-time for the full contract year, shall have the prescribed State contribution prorated in accordance with the eligible employee's full-time equivalent rate of employment.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 (emergency); Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3523, eff 8-26-96; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 48, eff 9-4-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3481, eff 7-15-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05]
715:10-13-3.1. Employer contribution rates [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 380, eff 10-16-02 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Added at 24 Ok Reg 220, eff 10-31-06 (emergency); Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1692, eff 6-11-07; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 287, eff 10-2-07 (emergency); Revoked at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
715:10-13-3.2. Employer contribution rates for employers other than comprehensive and regional four-year universities beginning July 1, 2007 [EXPIRED]
[Source: Added at 25 Ok Reg 287, eff 10-2-07 through 7-14-08 (emergency)1]
715:10-13-3.3. Employer contribution rates comprehensive and regional four-year universities beginning July 1, 2007 [EXPIRED]
[Source: Added at 25 Ok Reg 287, eff 10-2-07 through 7-14-08 (emergency)1]
715:10-13-4. Maximum compensation level election for years prior to July 1, 1995
(a) Any member, except for employees of institutions of higher education as provided in 70 O.S. § 17-116.2A, who was a contributing member of the Retirement System between July 1, 1987, and June 30, 1995, who elected to limit contributions to the first $25,000 of annual compensation, may elect to contribute on annual compensation up to a maximum of $40,000. may elect to
(b) If no election was made within the time provided by statute, the member was deemed to have elected the $25,000 compensation level.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this rule, a member may change the $25,000 election at any time prior to his or her official retirement date.
(d) If a member elects to change his or her election as provided by this rule, the member must remit to the Teachers' Retirement System the difference between the amount contributed and that which would have been contributed had a $40,000 maximum been elected when the member was first eligible to do so. This additional payment shall include any contribution that the law requires from the member's employer, and interest compounded annually at ten percent (10%) per annum on the balance due. The balance due may be made in a single lump sum or in installments as provided in OAC 715:10-5-4. However, the total balance must be paid prior to the effective date of retirement and cannot be purchased by any person after the death of the member.
[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)1; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01]
715:10-13-4.1. Maximum compensation level election for the 1995-96 school year [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)1; Added at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 864, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-13-5. Compensation corrections
The statutes provide that any member whose regular annual compensation was not determined as provided by law may pay the contribution on such amount not included in the member's regular annual compensation and receive credit for such amount in the calculation of the member's benefit. The member must also pay any employer contributions due TRS which are not paid by the employer. The intent of this provision and the provisions outlined above is to enable members to receive credit for their total contract salary up to applicable limits. Therefore, members' retirement contributions should be based on the gross salary before fringe benefits are subtracted, not after. No adjustments can be made until the corrections are documented as outlined in OAC 715:10-5-6. Any loss incurred by the Retirement System as a result of the failure of a school to comply with existing statutes or TRS Rules shall be paid by the member or school to the Retirement Fund. Interest compounded annually at ten percent (10%) per annum shall be charged on all balances due Teachers' Retirement because of failure to remit the proper contribution. In cases where a compensation correction should have been identified by TRS staff but was not, interest may be adjusted to correct for the error in accordance with TRS procedures.
[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-13-6. Employee contributions paid by the employer
Any school may, for and on behalf of any Teachers' Retirement System member, pay all or any portion of the membership contribution required by statutes.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-13-7. Matching funds
Statutes require employers of Teachers' Retirement System members whose compensation is paid from federal funds to match the contributions of these members on all compensation or that portion of compensation paid from these funds. Federal matching funds shall be transmitted at the same time and in the same manner as the members' contributions. Effective July 1, 2001, employers shall match on a pro rata basis the contributions of members whose salaries are paid by federal funds or externally sponsored agreements such as grants, contracts and cooperative agreements. Matching contributions shall be required on all salaries funded from revenues other than funds generated from local taxes or revenues originating from the State of Oklahoma. No later than April 1, 2001, and each April 1 thereafter, the Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System shall set the contribution rate to be paid by employers. The contribution rate shall be determined using cost principles established by federal regulations and shall be consistent with generally accepted accounting principles.
[Source: Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01]
715:10-13-8. Procedure for making contribution deductions
The Teachers' Retirement System contribution deduction shall start with the payment for the first month of a "classified" employee's contract, or the first month of membership for an optional "non-classified" member. This contribution shall be based on the total compensation for the month, but shall not apply to the compensation of a substitute teacher or any employee working on a less than one-half time basis. Individuals who join the Teachers' Retirement System during the school year, and who have been employed prior to becoming a member, must make retroactive contributions from the beginning of that school year. The membership date of such a member is the date of first payment not the beginning of the school year. The member shall not receive credit for a year of service until the balance of contributions, including any contributions required by the employer, are received by TRS. Interest compounded annually at ten percent (10%) per annum shall be levied against the balance due until paid.
(1) The total deductions in any one school year shall not exceed the maximum limit prescribed by statutes as defined in OAC 715:10-13-3.
(2) In determining the amount of the contribution for a member in any payroll period, the employer shall consider the total compensation earned from all sources. The contribution shall be calculated on the gross compensation before any deductions, such as tax-sheltered annuity, income taxes, Social Security, etc. Deductions shall be made at the statutory contribution rate on each month's compensation until the maximum annual compensation level is reached. Total monthly compensation shall be reported in the monthly salary column of the remittance report. Monthly compensation includes gross wages and fringe benefits paid or provided by the remitting agency.
(3) Monthly contributions for employees of a comprehensive university, whose maximum compensation level is less than the member's regular annual compensation, may be remitted in twelve equal payments to the member's account during the school year. It shall be the responsibility of the employer to insure any required adjustment in contributions is made if a member terminates employment or the member's salary changes during the school year.
(4) Contributions must be remitted monthly as long as the individual is employed in a position for which membership is a condition of employment. No member, including non-classified optional employees, may terminate contributions and retain membership in Teachers' Retirement System, except as expressly provided elsewhere in the statutes or TRS rules.
(5) As of July 1, 1979, members who signed a waiver to contribute on a maximum annual salary of $7,800 are required by law to contribute on their total compensation not to exceed any current maximum contribution level.
(6) The Department of Corrections shall contribute the employer's share to the Teachers' Retirement System. The contribution shall be the same dollar amount required of the member.
[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency); Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97]
715:10-13-9. Monthly remittance report of contributions [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)1; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 380, eff 10-16-02 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 864, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-13-10. Annual report of employment
At the close of each fiscal year, the payroll office of each employer shall file a report with Teachers' Retirement System that certifies the number of hours worked that year by each less-than- fulltime employee. The report shall also include the names and total number of hours worked by any employee receiving Teachers' Retirement System retirement benefits.
715:10-13-11. Percentage limits on compensation increases
Member's aggregate compensation for the last three creditable years of service before retirement may not exceed the credited compensation of the immediately preceding creditable year for service in the same or similar positions by more than 20%. When appropriate, Teachers' Retirement System may convert salary for part-time employment to its full-time equivalent in determining the permissible increases in annual compensation.
(1) Teachers' Retirement System will adjust a member's annual compensation at the time of retirement to comply with the limits of this rule and will refund excess deposits to the member after the effective date of retirement.
(2) Increases due to a change in employment responsibilities or adjustments in salary schedules for the employees of school district shall be excluded by TRS in determining if an employee exceeds the 20% level. TRS retains the right to require individuals and the employing school to provide documentation to satisfy questions that may arise from increases in compensation in excess of 20% for any school year.
715:10-13-12. Contracts bought up by employer
Teachers' Retirement System will not accept contributions on contract buyouts or grant creditable service, unless approved by the Board of Trustees resolution before the fact or when so ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Any payments for accumulated annual leave in excess of sixty (60) days or reimbursement for unused sick leave in excess of the daily amount paid to the teaching staff shall be considered a contract buy out.
715:10-13-13. Contributions while receiving payments from Workers' Compensation
Any member who is an active contributing member and receives temporary total disability benefits during the period of absence from a public school due to a work-related injury or illness and qualifies for payment pursuant to the Workers' Compensation Act shall receive credit for said period of absence subject to the following requirements:
(1) the member was employed by the public school immediately prior to and during the period of absence,
(2) the member must notify the System in writing not later than four (4) months after the member's return to his or her job duties with the public school, or termination of the temporary total disability benefits, whichever is earlier, of the member's desire to receive service credit for the period of absence,
(3) the public school employer must certify to the System in writing the dates during which temporary total disability benefit payments were paid to the member, and
(4) the member and the public school employer shall each pay the respective contributions required for the period of absence without interest within sixty (60) days of billing by the System, or with interest at a rate consistent with the actuarial assumed earnings rate adopted by the Board of Trustees (currently 8% per annum), compounded annually if paid after said sixty (60) days. Employee and employer contributions will be based on the member's regular annual compensation the member would have earned had the injury or illness not occurred.
(5) All balances due must be paid in full at least 30 days prior to retirement or termination of employment.
[Source: Added at 15 Ok Reg 48, eff 9-4-97 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 3481, eff 7-15-98; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 865, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-13-14. Termination credit for state agency employees who are members of the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma
(a) An employee of a state agency or other governmental entity participating in the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma, other than an employee of an Oklahoma public school, who has completed at least ten (10) years of full-time equivalent employment for that employer, and who is terminated because his or her position is eliminated through a reduction-in-force after July 1, 1998, and who is within three (3) years of becoming eligible for retirement, may purchase up to three (3) years of service credit in the Teachers' Retirement System if:
(1) the member, within six (6) months of his or her termination, files an election with the Teachers' Retirement System indicating an intent to purchase the termination credit;
(2) the Teachers' Retirement System is paid the full amount of both the employer and employee contributions that would have been paid to the System, based upon the maximum compensation level received by the member in the last full month he or she was employed by the state agency or governmental entity, multiplied by the number of months required for the member to qualify for retirement with an unreduced benefit had the member not been terminated; and
(3) full payment for the cost of the termination credit is made within sixty (60) days of filing the election to purchase the credit.
(b) If the member fails to pay the full amount of the required contribution amounts to the System within 60 days of filing the election to purchase the termination credit, the termination credit shall be cancelled, and the Teachers' Retirement System shall return the purchase amount to the member, without interest.
(c) The purchased termination credit may be used only as service credit to qualify the member for normal retirement.
(d) If the member chooses to retire before his or her normal retirement date, or returns to employment with a participating employer before retirement, the member will not receive the termination credit, and the System will return to the member the purchase amount that has been paid, without interest.
(e) If the member dies before retirement, his or her spouse, if eligible to receive benefits, may elect to receive the benefit at the time the member would have become eligible to retire, or receive a return of the purchase amount that has been paid, without interest.
[Source: Added at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Added at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
Subchapter 15. Service Retirement
715:10-15-1. Eligibility for service retirement
715:10-15-2. Age, service requirements for regular retirement
715:10-15-3. Date of retirement; making application
715:10-15-4. Effective date of retirement contract
715:10-15-5. Date of retirement contract is binding; revocation of contract
715:10-15-6. Verification of date of birth
715:10-15-7. Standard retirement formula
715:10-15-7.1 Retirement formula for members employed by a comprehensive university [REVOKED]
715:10-15-7.2. Retirement formula for members retiring under provisions of the Education Employees Service Incentive Plan ("EESIP")
715:10-15-8. Age, creditable service determination
715:10-15-9. Minimum service retirement benefits
715:10-15-10. Retirement plans
715:10-15-10.1. "Pop-up" of Option 2 or Option 3 Retirement Plans
715:10-15-10.2. Partial Lump-sum Payments
715:10-15-10.3.Partial Lump-sum Option Factors
715:10-15-11. Designation of beneficiaries for retirement options
715:10-15-12. Spousal consent
715:10-15-13. Survivor benefits when death occurs after retirement [REVOKED]
715:10-15-14. Actuarial tables
715:10-15-15. Disability retirement; application; effective date
715:10-15-16. Review by Medical Board
715:10-15-17. Additional medical evidence can be required
715:10-15-18. Discontinuance of disability retirement
715:10-15-19. Disability retirement payments
715:10-15-20. Conversion of disability retirement to retirement option 2
715:10-15-21. Return to employment by a disabled retiree
715:10-15-22. Reduction of disability benefits for excess earnings
715:10-15-23. Special $150 per month plan; application; effective date
715:10-15-24. Due-date of retirement benefit payments
715:10-15-25. Changes and corrections to retirement benefit payments
715:10-15-26. Code Section 415 limits as applied to TRS
715:10-15-27. Code Section 401(a)(17) limits as applied to TRS
715:10-15-1. Eligibility for service retirement
Service retirement requirements shall be administered as outlined in Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-105 [70 O.S. 17-105].
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 865, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-15-2. Age, service requirements for regular retirement
Service retirement requirements shall be administered as outlined in Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-105 [70 O.S. 17-105].
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 865, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-15-3. Date of retirement; making application
The earliest effective date of retirement for any eligible member is the first day of the month following the one in which employment ceases, with the first annuity payment due the last day of that month.
(1) It is the member's responsibility to notify, by filing a retirement contract as outlined in paragraphs 4 and 5 of this section, the TRS Board of Trustees of the date on which retirement is to begin.
(2) Payments for all years of service, for which a member wants to receive credit, must be made before the date of retirement.
(3) State law does not permit TRS to make retroactive retirement payments. Members should ensure that their creditable service record is up-to-date and accurate before they retire.
(4) The member shall request a final contract for retirement by completing and returning TRS Form 40 (Retirement Allowance Estimate). This form should be returned to TRS approximately sixty (60) to ninety (90) days prior to the expected retirement date. The member shall select the retirement option on TRS Form 40.
(5) The Final Contract for Retirement, properly executed before a notary, is required by statutes to be filed with TRS no less than thirty (30) days, nor more than ninety (90) days, before the date of retirement. Therefore, the final contract for retirement must be completed and on file with TRS by the first day of the month immediately preceding the retirement date. The first retirement check will be mailed on the last day of the month retirement begins.
(6) For example, a retirement contract must be on file by May 1, for a retirement date of June 1, in order for the first check to be mailed the last working day of June.
715:10-15-4. Effective date of retirement contract
The effective date of retirement shall be the date specified on the Final Contract for Retirement completed and signed by the member. The effective date of retirement can be the first of any month specified by the member, except the effective retirement date cannot be earlier than the following:
(1) The last day on which service is rendered shall be accepted as the last day of employment, when so certified by the employer. This is not necessarily the last day for which the member receives pay.
(2) If employment terminates on or before the tenth (10th) day of the month, the retirement date can be that same month.
(3) If a member's employment terminates after the tenth (10th) day of the month, the retirement date can be the first day of the following month.
715:10-15-5. Date of retirement contract is binding; revocation of contract
The final contract for retirement becomes binding on the effective date shown on the contract and shall be known as the date of retirement. The contract may be revoked by the member, or the retirement plan changed, before the date of retirement. Any change or revocation must be in writing, delivered to the Teachers' Retirement System, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, or postmarked by the United States Postal Service prior to the effective date of retirement. After the retirement date, the contract cannot be canceled. After the retirement date the retirement plan cannot be changed except as outlined in paragraphs one (1) and two (2) below. If the member elected the Option 2 or Option 3 retirement contract and the member's designated beneficiary dies before the retirement date, the member may select another retirement plan without penalty. If a Maximum or Option 1 retiree should die during the month following the date of retirement and before the first retirement benefit is due, any distribution to beneficiaries designated on the member's retirement contract shall be paid pursuant to OAC 715:10-9-1 and 715:10-9-2.
(1) After the retirement date, a member who elected a reduced benefit under Option 1, Option 2, Option 3 or Option 4 may make a one-time irrevocable election to change their retirement plan within sixty (60) days of the retirement date. The beneficiary designated by the member at the time of retirement shall not be changed if the member makes the election provided for in this paragraph. Such election must be made in writing, delivered to the Teachers' Retirement System, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, or postmarked by the United States Postal Service prior to the sixtieth day after the date of retirement.
(2) A member who elected the Maximum benefit and marries after the retirement date, may make a one-time election to change to an Option 2 or Option 3 benefit and name the member's spouse as the designated beneficiary. The member shall provide proof of the member's good health before the Board of Trustees will permit a change to either Option 2 or 3 and the naming of a designated beneficiary. A medical examination conducted by a licensed physician is required for purposes of determining good health. Such examination must be approved by the Medical Board. The member shall be required to provide proof of age for the new beneficiary. The Board of Trustees shall adjust the monthly benefit to the actuarially equivalent amount based on the new designated beneficiary's age. Such election must be made in writing using the forms proscribed by the Teachers' Retirement System and delivered to the Teachers' Retirement System, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, or postmarked by the United States Postal Service prior to one (1) year after the date of marriage, or July 1, 2011, whichever date is later.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 2802, eff 7-20-10 (emergency); Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11]
715:10-15-6. Verification of date of birth
A member, filing for retirement benefits, must provide proof of date of birth. Proof of the birth date of the designated beneficiary is also required when the member selects either Retirement Option 2 or Option 3. Although a birth certificate is the best evidence of correct age, one is not always obtainable. In such cases, the Board of Trustees has ruled that any of the documents listed below also shall be acceptable:
(1) United States Census record.
(2) Military record.
(3) Naturalization record.
(4) Passport (must be at least five years old). [
Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
715:10-15-7. Standard retirement formula
The standard retirement formula will be applied as directed in Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-116.2 [70 O.S. 17-116.2]
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3523, eff 8-26-96; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 866, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-15-7.1. Retirement formula for members employed by a comprehensive university [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 (emergency); Added at 13 Ok Reg 3523, eff 8-26-96; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 866, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-15-7.2. Retirement formula for members retiring under provisions of the Education Employees Service Incentive Plan (-EESIP-)
(a) Legislation enacted during the Special Session of the 2006 Legislature modified the standard retirement formula for TRS members employed by remitting entities other than comprehensive and regional four-year universities. A member must have been employed by a participating remitting entity for at least one full school year (twelve months) immediately prior to termination of employment or retirement to qualify for this section.
(b) A TRS member who was employed prior to July 1, 1995, may have service credits performed prior to July 1, 1995, calculated in the member's retirement formula used for service performed after July 1, 1995, when the member's average salary at retirement is greater than $40,000, and the member works beyond the year in which he or she reaches normal retirement age. (The terms "average salary" and "normal retirement age" are defined in 70 O. S. § 17-101.)
(c) A retiring member who works one year beyond the school year in which he or she reaches normal retirement age may move two (2) years of service performed prior to July 1, 1995, to the retirement formula used to calculate service performed after July 1, 1995. For each additional year the member works beyond normal retirement age, he or she may move two (2) additional years of service credit performed prior to July 1, 1995.
(d) For members who retire on or after July 1, 2006, and before June 30, 2007, the maximum average salary that can be used to calculate the benefit for service credits that qualify to be moved under this section is $60,000. During this one-year period, a member whose average salary at retirement is greater than $60,000 shall have benefits calculated in three steps: 2% x $40,000 for service performed prior to July 1, 1995, that does not qualify as moved service; 2% x $60,000 for service performed prior to July 1, 1995, that qualifies as moved service; and 2% x the member's average salary for service performed on or after July 1, 1995. (Note: The retirement date for each retiring member is always the first day of the month. [See OAC 715:10-15-4.])
(e) For members who retire on or after July 1, 2007, and before June 30, 2008, the maximum average salary that can be used to calculate the benefit for service credits that qualify to be moved under this section is $80,000. During this one-year period, a member whose average salary at retirement is greater than $80,000 shall have benefits calculated in three steps: 2% x $40,000 for service performed prior to July 1, 1995, that does not qualify as moved service; 2% x $80,000 for service performed prior to July 1, 1995, that qualifies as moved service; and 2% x the member's average salary for service performed on or after July 1, 1995. (Note: The retirement date for each retiring member is always the first day of the month. [See OAC 715:10-15-4.])
(f) For members who retire on or after July 1, 2008, the average salary used to calculate the benefit for service credits that qualify to be moved under this section is the member's average salary at retirement. The member's retirement benefit will be calculated as follows: 2% x $40,000 for service performed prior to July 1, 1995, that does not qualify as moved service; and 2% x the member's average salary for service performed prior to July 1, 1995, that qualifies as moved service and for service performed on or after July 1, 1995. (Note: The retirement date for each retiring member is always the first day of the month. [See OAC 715:10-15-4.])
(g) A member whose Regular Annual Compensation was greater than $40,000 during the school years 1987-88 through 1994-95 must make an additional contribution to qualify for movement of service provided for in this section. [See OAC 715:10-5-4.1. Payment of contribution deficit for Education Employees Service Incentive Plan]
(h) A member reaches Normal Retirement Age during the school year he or she reaches age 62, or when the member's age and total service equal 80 or more for those members those official TRS membership date is prior to July 1, 1992, and when the member's age and total service equal 90 or more for those members whose official TRS membership date is on or after July 1, 1992.
(i) For this section, credit a member may receive for having 120 or more days of unused sick leave at retirement will be used in determining the school year in which a member reaches Normal Retirement Age.
(j) For this section, a member who reaches Normal Retirement Age by the tenth of July of any school year will be considered to have reached Normal Retirement Age at the beginning of that school year. A member who reaches Normal Retirement Age after the tenth of July of any school year will be considered to have reached Normal Retirement Age at the beginning of the next school year in which the member is employed.
(k) To qualify for a year of service beyond Normal Retirement Age, OAC 715:10-3-2 and OAC 715:10-3-3 will be used to determine credited service. However, a fractional year of service performed after reaching Normal Retirement Age cannot be combined with a fractional year of service performed prior to reaching Normal Retirement Age to qualify for a year of service credit under this section.
(l) The provisions of subsections e and f of this section become effective only if additional employer contributions are funded as required by Enrolled House Bill 1179xx.
[Source: Added at 24 Ok Reg 220, eff 10-31-06 (emergency); Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1692, eff 6-11-07]
715:10-15-8. Age, creditable service determination
The member's age, and the age of a member's designated beneficiary, at retirement shall be determined as the age attained as of the last birthday. Total creditable service shall be determined to the nearest whole number with any fractional part of a year rounded down. Age shall be determined as of the date of retirement in the following manner:
(1) If the member's date of birth is on or before the tenth (10th) day of the month of retirement, the age shall be the age of the member on the tenth (10th) day of the month.
(2) If the member's date of birth is after the tenth (10th) day of the month of retirement, the age shall be the age of the member on the first day of the month.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99]
715:10-15-9. Minimum service retirement benefits
Minimum service retirement benefits are payable as follows:
(1) If a classified employee's average salary is less than $6,500, the retirement allowance shall be $10.83 per month for each year of service.
(2) If a nonclassified employee's average salary is less than $5,350, the retirement allowance shall be $8.91 per month for each year of service.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93]
715:10-15-10. Retirement plans
A member may elect to receive a monthly life annuity under one of the following plans:
(1) The Maximum Retirement Plan provides the greatest monthly lifetime benefit that each individual member's years of creditable service and average salary permit. The maximum retirement plan is the monthly entitlement calculated using the standard retirement formula set by statutes. In the event the total retirement payments made prior to the death of a retired member are less than the member's accumulated contributions (with any interest credited to the account prior to July 1, 1968), the difference shall be paid to the member's designated beneficiary or to the member's estate if no designated beneficiary survives the member.
(2) Retirement Option 1 provides a slightly reduced lifetime benefit. The monthly entitlement is the difference between the annuity portion of the maximum retirement plan and the annuity portion of an Option 1 retirement plan subtracted from the Maximum retirement plan. If the retired member dies before receiving in the annuity portion of the monthly payments an amount equal to the member's deposits (with any interest credited to the account prior to July 1, 1968), the remaining balance shall be paid in a lump sum to the member's designated beneficiary or to the member's estate if no beneficiary survives the member. (The member's deposits are "protected" for the member's beneficiary for a longer period of time than under the maximum retirement plan, hence, the monthly benefit is less than the Maximum benefit.)
(3) Retirement Option 2 provides a reduced monthly benefit payable to the member for life. At the death of the retired member, the same monthly benefit payable to the member, shall continue to the member's beneficiary, if living. This option is known as a "100% joint survivor annuity." The reduction in the monthly benefit is based on actuarial tables developed for this purpose and approved by the Board of Trustees. The ages of the member and beneficiary are an important factor in computing this benefit. The beneficiary for the Option 2 retirement plan may be the member's spouse or another person. If the designated beneficiary is not the member's spouse, IRS Regulations require that the adjusted member/beneficiary age difference cannot be more than ten (10) years. The adjusted member/beneficiary age difference is determined by first calculating the excess of the age of the member over the age of the beneficiary based on their ages on the date of retirement. If the member is younger than age 70, the age difference determined in the previous sentence is reduced by the number of years that the member is younger than age 70 based on the member's age on the date of retirement. If the adjusted member/beneficiary age difference is greater than ten (10) years, the Option 2 retirement plan is not available. In the event the member's beneficiary dies at any time after the member's retirement date but before the death of the member, the member shall return to the retirement benefit, including any post-retirement benefit increases the member would have received, had the member not selected the Option 2 retirement plan. The beneficiary designation cannot be changed under any circumstance after the date of retirement. The reduction in the monthly payment is much greater than under all other retirement options because two people are protected for the life of both individuals.
(4) Retirement Option 3 provides a reduced monthly benefit payable to the member for life. At the death of the retired member, one-half (or 50%) of the monthly benefit payable to the member, shall continue to the member's beneficiary, if living. This option is known as a "50% joint survivor annuity." The reduction in the monthly benefit is based on actuarial tables developed for this purpose and approved by the Board of Trustees. The age of the beneficiary is an important factor in computing this benefit. The beneficiary for the Option 3 retirement plan may be any person. In the event the member's beneficiary dies at any time after the member's retirement date but before the death of the member, the member shall return to the retirement benefit, including any post-retirement benefit increases, the member would have received had the member not selected the Option 3 retirement plan. The beneficiary cannot be changed under any circumstance after the date of retirement. The reduction in the monthly payment, while not as great as in the Option 2 plan, still requires a substantial reduction because two people are protected for the life of both individuals.
(5) Retirement Option 4 provides a reduced monthly benefit payable to the member for life. In the event the retired member dies within one hundred twenty (120) continuous months from the date of retirement, the balance of the payments is continued to the designated beneficiary until a total of one hundred twenty (120) months have been completed. The actual reduction is based on actuarial tables developed for this purpose and approved by the Board of Trustees. The beneficiary must be designated at the time of retirement. The Option 4 retirement plan is not available for a member whose retirement date is on or after the member reaches age 93. However, if the designated beneficiary is the member's spouse, the Option 4 retirement plan may be selected if the 120-month period does not extend beyond the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the member and the member's spouse. If the beneficiary dies before the total number of "guaranteed" months have been completed, the remaining payments shall be computed at the rate of interest used in determining the original guarantee. The funds remaining shall be paid to the administrators, executors or assigns of the last surviving payee.
[Source: Amended at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)2; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)3; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05]
715:10-15-10.1. "Pop-up" of Option 2 or Option 3 Retirement Plans
If the designated beneficiary under the Option 2 or 3 retirement plan dies at any time after the member's retirement date, but before the death of the member, the member shall return to the retirement benefit, including any post-retirement benefit increases the member would have received had the member not selected the Option 2 or 3 retirement plan. In such an event, the member's monthly retirement benefit and any amount due at the death of the member shall be calculated as if the member had selected the Maximum retirement allowance. The increase in the member's monthly benefit becomes effective the first day of the month following the date of death of the designated beneficiary or July 1, 1994, whichever is later, and shall be payable for the member's remaining lifetime. The member shall notify the Teachers' Retirement System of the death of the designated beneficiary in writing and provide a certified copy of the beneficiary's death certificate. In the absence of timely notice, Teachers' Retirement shall make retroactive benefit payments to the member, not to exceed six (6) months from the time the member first became eligible for increased benefits to the date notification is received. Notwithstanding any other provision, increased benefits will not be due for any period prior to July 1, 1994.
[Source: Added at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95]
715:10-15-10.2. Partial lump-sum payments
The requirements for partial lump-sum payments shall be administered as directed in Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-105.2 [70 O.S. 17-105.2].
[Source: Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)1; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 866, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-15-10.3. Partial Lump-sum Option Factors
Factors have been developed by consulting actuaries and adopted by the Board of Trustees to be used in the calculation of the partial lump-sum payment selected by a member of the Teachers' Retirement System. The Board of Trustees may adopt new tables at any time upon recommendation of the consulting actuaries, when in the opinion of the Board the experience of the System may justify the need for such change. Adoption of new tables will be prospective and shall not affect any partial lump-sum payment selected and paid prior to the adoption of new factors. (Note: Please refer to Client Handbook for a list of the factors. The Client Handbook, which is periodically modified, can be found at www.ok.gov/TRS.)
[Source: Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)1; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 867, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-15-11. Designation of beneficiaries for retirement options
A designation of beneficiary must be made when the retirement contract is completed. A member who selects the Maximum or Option 1 retirement plan may name more than one beneficiary. Beneficiaries named for the Maximum and Option 1 retirement plan may be changed by the member at any time. A member desiring to change or update a beneficiary designation should request TRS Form 90. The beneficiary for the Option 2 or Option 3 retirement plan cannot be changed even if the beneficiary dies before the member, providing, however, the retired member may designate an alternate beneficiary to receive the $5,000 death benefit, when the spouse predeceases the member. The member who elects the Option 4 retirement plan must name a beneficiary, who can be any living person. The beneficiary does not have to be a spouse or dependent.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
715:10-15-12. Spousal consent
When selecting a retirement option, a TRS Acknowledgment of Spousal Consent Form shall be completed. If the member is married at the time of retirement, the retiring member's spouse must complete Part A, acknowledging that the retirement options available to the member have been explained to the spouse and the spouse concurs with the retirement option selected by the retiring member. If the member is unmarried at the time of retirement, the member must complete Part B, certifying that he or she is unmarried or that at the time of retirement the whereabouts of the spouse is unknown and cannot be located. The Spousal Consent form is an integral part of the application for retirement and must be filed with the retirement contract before the member's retirement becomes effective.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00]
715:10-15-13. Survivor benefits when death occurs after retirement [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 868, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-15-14. Actuarial tables
Actuarial tables, developed by consulting actuaries, have been adopted by the Board of Trustees and will be used for computation of benefits. Factors for ages or types of annuities, which are not included in the tables, will be computed from the same data by the same general formulas. The Board of Trustees may adopt new tables at anytime upon recommendation of the consulting actuaries, when in the opinion of the Board the experience of the System may justify the need for such change. New tables shall be published by the Board with an effective date.
715:10-15-15. Disability retirement; application; effective date
(a) Any member who is actively employed in the public schools of Oklahoma and is regularly contributing to the Teachers' Retirement System may be retired due to a medical disability, which renders the member unable to perform regular employment duties, provided such member:
(1) has at least ten (10) years of Oklahoma contributory membership service,
(2) submits a complete application for disability retirement, and,
(3) is found by the Medical Board of Teachers' Retirement System, to be medically disabled to continue regular duties, or
(4) meets the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, and files a Social Security Award Notice certifying the member has been approved for disability benefits by the Social Security Administration, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services,
(5) however, a member who is eligible for unreduced regular retirement is not eligible for disability retirement benefits.
(b) A member who has terminated employment or is on leave without pay status shall be eligible for disability retirement by meeting the provisions of paragraph (a) of this rule, providing the disability existed at the time the leave without pay status commenced or the termination of employment from the public schools of Oklahoma occurred, and the disability was the reason for the leave status or termination of employment.
(c) The application for disability retirement required in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this section must include:
(1) a detailed statement by the member as to the nature of the disability and the reasons the disability prevents the member from performing the regular duties of the member's current position.
(2) a detailed statement by the member's employer (chief administrative officer or personnel officer) as to the nature of the disability and the reasons the disability prevents the member from performing the regular duties assigned to the position of employment.
(3) a detailed report by the member's physician giving the medical nature of the disability. The attending physician's report should certify that the member, in the physician's judgment, is mentally or physically incapacitated from further performance of duty, that such incapacity is likely to be permanent and that the member should be retired. Any examination required to complete this report must be at the expense of the member.
(d) The Teachers' Retirement System must receive the complete application for disability retirement by the first day of the month for the Board of Trustees to consider the application at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
(e) The effective date for disability retirement is the later of (1) or (2) below:
(1) the first day of the month in which the disability application is approved by the Board of Trustees, and subsequent to termination of employment in the public schools, or
(2) the date determined by the Board of Trustees after an administrative review, if such review is requested by the member pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act 75 O.S. 250 et seq., but in no instance will the effective date be prior to the first day of the month following receipt of the complete disability retirement application.
(f) The disability retirement becomes binding on the effective date specified in subsection (e) of this section and cannot be revoked except by written request from the member prior to the effective retirement date as provided by OAC 715:10-15-5 or by returning to employment as provided in OAC 715:10-15-21.
(g) The disability retirement benefit shall be calculated in the same manner as regular retirement benefits described in OAC 715:10-15-7, with the exception that no reduction will be made due to the age of the member. Providing that any member who qualifies for disability benefits after June 30, 2003, who is married at the time his or her disability benefits commence, may elect an actuarially reduced 100% joint survivor retirement benefit based on factors provided by the Retirement System's consulting actuary.
(h) The disability retirement benefit is payable under the same provisions as the Maximum Retirement Plan or Retirement Option 2 explained in OAC 715:10-15-10. Payments are made monthly for the life of the retiree or until the member is able to return to employment (See OAC 715:10-15-21). The only survivor benefits available to a disabled member's beneficiaries or estate is a return of member contributions not paid to the member in the form of monthly benefits and the $5,000 death benefit provided per statute, unless the disabled member elected the reduced benefit option to provide the spouse a monthly benefit as described in subparagraph (g) of this section.
(i) If the disabled member elects to receive an actuarially reduced 100% joint survivor retirement benefit, the surviving spouse will continue to receive the disabled member's monthly benefit for life. At the death of the disabled member, the surviving spouse will receive the $5,000 death benefit provided by statute. If the disabled member's spouse should die before the disabled member, the disabled member's monthly disability benefit will be increased to the amount the disabled member would have been entitled to receive if the disabled member had elected the maximum disability benefit. The increased monthly benefit will become effective the first day of the month following the death of the disabled member's spouse providing proper notice is received by the Teachers' Retirement System, as provided in OAC 715:10-15-10.1.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 295, eff 10-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)2; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)3; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)4; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04]
715:10-15-16. Review by Medical Board
Upon receipt of the application for disability retirement, the Medical Board of the Teachers' Retirement System will review the application at its next monthly meeting. The Medical Board may recommend to the Board of Trustees a member for permanent disability retirement or for a temporary disability retirement when in its opinion the prognosis of the disability is of a temporary nature. Temporary disability retirement benefits may be provided for six (6) to twelve (12) months, subject to re-examination by the Medical Board at the end of the prescribed period. The member will be notified in writing of the recommendation of the Medical Board. If disability benefits are not recommended by the Medical Board, the reason will be provided to the member. The member may then submit additional medical evidence for further review or request an administrative hearing pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, 75 O.S. Section 250 et seq., and OAC 715:1-1-10 within sixty (60) days of notification of the Medical Board's adverse recommendation.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-15-17. Additional medical evidence can be required
If, in the opinion of the Medical Board, additional information is necessary, the member will be required to submit to an examination by another physician designated by the Medical Board. TRS will appoint a physician at its cost and generally from the applicant's area of residence, to perform such an examination. Personal expenses, including travel by the member, cannot be paid by TRS. The Medical Board retains the right of final determination of the consulting physician designated to conduct any additional examination. Failure to report for an examination, without prior arrangement with TRS for an extension, shall be deemed cause for rejection of disability retirement, or immediate termination of disability benefits when a member is receiving temporary disability benefits. If the Medical Board disagrees with the opinion of the consulting physician designated by the Medical Board, the Medical Board must specifically state its opinions and conclusions in its recommendation of denial.
[Source: Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)1; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97]
715:10-15-18. Discontinuance of disability retirement
The Medical Board may require any member who has been retired under a disability, and who has not reached age sixty (60), to undergo a medical examination. Refusal to submit to the examination results in discontinuance of disability retirement benefits until such examination is completed. If the medical report from such examination leads to a recommendation by the Medical Board that a member's disability benefits should be terminated, that information will be provided to the member and the member will be advised of the right to appeal the recommendation. Disability benefits will continue to the member while the appeal process is before the Board of Trustees. Any member under age 62 receiving disability retirement benefits who returns to employment in any school or to a position similar to the position held when disability benefits were approved shall immediately be subject to discontinuance of benefits.
[Source: Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)1; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03]
715:10-15-19. Disability retirement payments
The first monthly payment shall be due on the first day of the month that follows the effective date of the disability retirement.
(1) The disability retirement allowance shall be in lieu of any other TRS retirement benefit for which the member might otherwise qualify.
(2) The benefit payment for the month in which the retired member died, if not previously paid, shall be made to the member's beneficiary, or, if the member has no beneficiary, to the member's estate. The amount of the benefit payment for the month in which the member died shall be equal to the full monthly benefit payment, regardless of the day of the month on which the retired member died.
(3) Members who qualify for disability retirement shall have their total monthly benefit payments deducted from their accumulated contributions. Any monies remaining in the member's retirement account at death shall be paid to the beneficiary or the estate in a lump sum.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99]
715:10-15-20. Conversion of disability retirement to retirement option 2
If a deceased disabled retiree had thirty (30) years or more of creditable service, and death occurred after June 30, 1981, but prior to the retiree receiving twelve (12) monthly retirement payments, the surviving spouse may elect to receive an life annuity under the provisions of Retirement Option 2 as the death benefit. Such a benefit shall be based upon the retirement the deceased member would have been entitled to at the time of death under Retirement Option 2. The Retirement Option 2 death benefit shall be in lieu of all other benefits to which a surviving spouse or other beneficiary might otherwise be entitled to receive.
715:10-15-21. Return to employment by a disabled retiree
A disabled retiree who returns to Oklahoma public school employment at an annual salary equal to or greater than the annual salary received at the time of disability shall again become a member of TRS. Disability retirement payments shall be suspended until the member has qualified to be restored to active service. Upon completion of six (6) months of membership service, the member shall be considered as having met the requirements to be restored to active service. At such time, disability retirement shall be terminated and the unused portion of the accumulated contributions shall be re-established with TRS. If the member again retires under a regular retirement allowance, eligibility to receive a monthly retirement allowance shall be based on total years of creditable service (see OAC 715:10-17-5).
715:10-15-22. Reduction of disability benefits for excess earnings
All persons under 62 years of age who are retired on a TRS disability must file by April 15 of each year a report of earnings received from gainful employment for the previous calendar year on a form provided by TRS. Failure to submit a timely report may result in a requirement for a medical re-examination or suspension of benefits until the report is filed. If it is determined that the person is receiving excessive earnings or is employed in a position requiring duties similar to those required in the position held before having been granted disability benefits, a medical re-examination may be required to determine if the person is still qualified for disability retirement.
[Source: Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03]
715:10-15-23. Special $150 per month plan; application; effective date
(a) A former teacher, who taught a minimum of ten (10) years in the public schools of Oklahoma prior to July 1, 1943 shall receive a monthly pension of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00). A teacher who taught in the public schools of Oklahoma one (1) year prior to 1934 and thereafter taught a minimum of ten (10) years, or who taught a minimum of thirty (30) years in the public schools of Oklahoma and reached the age of seventy (70) years of age prior to July 1, 1984, shall be eligible for a monthly pension of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00). The former teacher must not be otherwise eligible to receive any benefit from TRS to be eligible for this monthly pension.
(b) Anyone who qualifies may apply for the $150 per month pension by providing verification of the service performed by the member and completing a final contract for retirement. The necessary verification may be obtained from the Teacher Personnel Section, State Department of Education, records from the schools, the county superintendents or the county treasurers where the school districts are located. The applicant's signature on the final contract must be notarized.
(c) The effective date of retirement shall be the first of the month after all required documentation is received in the Teachers' Retirement office, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. No payments shall be made retroactive.
715:10-15-24. Due-date of retirement benefit payments
(a) Monthly benefit payments are due the first day of each month to all eligible retirees. Payments are deposited in the United States Postal Service, or paid to a designated agent providing electronic fund transfers, on the last day of each month. The benefit payment for the month in which the retired member died, if not previously paid, shall be made to the member's beneficiary, or, if the member has no beneficiary, to the member's estate. The amount of the benefit payment for the month in which the member died shall be equal to the full monthly benefit payment, regardless of the day of the month on which the retired member died. TRS cannot be responsible for payments lost in the mail, except that duplicate payments will be processed after fifteen (15) days.
(b) Effective January 1, 2000, newly retired members shall be required to receive monthly benefit payments via electronic fund transfers to a banking or financial institution designated. The retiree and receiving institution must complete the form prescribed for this purpose by the Teachers' Retirement System. In the event the electronic fund transfer creates an undue hardship on the retiree, the executive director of the Teachers' Retirement System may waive this requirement when it is determined to be in the best interest of the member and the Retirement System.
[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 743, eff 10-5-98 through 7-14-99 (emergency)1; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3567, eff 9-13-99; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11]
715:10-15-25. Changes and corrections to retirement benefit payments
Members should promptly notify TRS of any change that affects their monthly retirement payment. Changes in address, dependents status for insurance coverage or deductions for state and federal income taxes will be processed and reflected in the next month's payment, if received by TRS on or before the fifteenth (15th) of the month. Changes received after the 15th will not be processed until the following month.
715:10-15-26. Code Section 415 limits as applied to TRS
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the administrative code, contributions paid to and benefits paid from the retirement system shall not exceed the maximum contributions and benefits permissible under Internal Revenue Code Section 415. For 415 testing purposes, the limitation year is the calendar year.
(b) Participation in Other Qualified Plans: Aggregation of Limits
(1) The 415(b) limit with respect to any member who at any time has been a member in any other defined benefit plan as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 414(j) maintained by the member's employer in the retirement system shall apply as if the total benefits payable under all such defined benefit plans in which the member has been a member were payable from one (1) plan.
(2) The 415(c) limit with respect to any member who at any time has been a member in any other defined contribution plan as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 414(i) maintained by the member's employer in the retirement system shall apply as if the total annual additions under all such defined contribution plans in which the member has been a member were payable from one (1) plan.
(c) Basic 415(b) Limitation.
(1) Before January 1, 1995, a member may not receive an annual benefit that exceeds the limits specified in Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b), subject to the applicable adjustments in that section. On and after January 1, 1995, a member may not receive an annual benefit that exceeds the dollar amount specified in Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b)(1)(A), subject to the applicable adjustments in Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b) and subject to any additional limits that may be specified in the retirement system. In no event shall a member's benefit payable under the retirement system in any limitation year be greater than the limit applicable at the annuity starting date, as increased in subsequent years pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 415(d) and the regulations thereunder.
(2) For purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b), the "annual benefit" means a benefit payable annually in the form of a straight life annuity (with no ancillary benefits) without regard to the benefit attributable to after-tax employee contributions (except pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 415(n)) and to rollover contributions (as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b)(2)(A)). The "benefit attributable" shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations.
(d) Adjustments to Basic 415(b) Limitation for Form of Benefit. If the benefit under the retirement system is other than the form specified in subsection (c)(2), then the benefit shall be adjusted so that it is the equivalent of the annual benefit, using factors prescribed in Treasury Regulations.
(1) If the form of benefit without regard to any automatic benefit increase feature is not a straight life annuity or a qualified joint and survivor annuity, then the preceding sentence is applied by either reducing the Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b) limit applicable at the annuity starting date or adjusting the form of benefit to an actuarially equivalent amount [determined using the assumptions specified in Treasury Regulation section 1.415(b)-1(c)(2)(ii)] that takes into account the additional benefits under the form of benefit as follows:
(2) For a benefit paid in a form to which Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e)(3) does not apply [a monthly benefit], the actuarially equivalent straight life annuity benefit that is the greater of (or the reduced Limit applicable at the annuity starting date which is the "lesser of" when adjusted in accordance with the following assumptions):
(A) The annual amount of the straight life annuity (if any) payable to the member under the retirement system commencing at the same annuity starting date as the form of benefit to the member, or
(B) The annual amount of the straight life annuity commencing at the same annuity starting date that has the same actuarial present value as the form of benefit payable to the member, computed using a 5% interest assumption (or the applicable statutory interest assumption) and the applicable mortality tables described in Treasury Regulation section 1.417(e)-1(d)(2) (Revenue Ruling 2001-62 or any subsequent Revenue Ruling modifying the applicable provisions of Revenue Rulings 2001-62); or
(3) For a benefit paid in a form to which Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e)(3) applies [a lump sum benefit], the actuarially equivalent straight life annuity benefit that is the greatest of (or the reduced Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b) limit applicable at the annuity starting date which is the "least of" when adjusted in accordance with the following assumptions:
(A) The annual amount of the straight life annuity commencing at the annuity starting date that has the same actuarial present value as the particular form of benefit payable, computed using the interest rate and mortality table, or tabular factor, specified in the plan for actuarial experience;
(B) The annual amount of the straight life annuity commencing at the annuity starting date that has the same actuarial present value as the particular form of benefit payable, computed using a 5.5 percent interest assumption (or the applicable statutory interest assumption) and the applicable mortality table for the distribution under Treasury Regulation section 1.417(e)-1(d)(2) (the mortality table specified in Revenue Ruling 2001-62 or any subsequent Revenue Ruling modifying the applicable provisions of Revenue Ruling 2001-62); or
(C) The annual amount of the straight life annuity commencing at the annuity starting date that has the same actuarial present value as the particular form of benefit payable (computed using the applicable interest rate for the distribution under Treasury Regulation section 1.417(e)-1(d)(3) (the 30-year Treasury rate (prior to January 1 2007, using the rate in effect for the month prior to retirement, and on and after January 1, 2007, using the rate the in effect for the first day of the plan year with a one-year stabilization period)) and the applicable mortality rate for the distribution under Treasury Regulation section 1.417(e)-1(d)(2) (the mortality table specified in Revenue Ruling 2001-62 or any subsequent Revenue Ruling modifying the applicable provisions of Revenue Ruling 2001-62), divided by 1.05.
(e) Benefits Not Taken into Account for 415(b) Limitation. For purposes of this section, the following benefits shall not be taken into account in applying these limits:
(1) Any ancillary benefit which is not directly related to retirement income benefits;
(2) That portion of any joint and survivor annuity that constitutes a qualified joint and survivor annuity;
(3) Any other benefit not required under Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b)(2) and Treasury Regulations thereunder to be taken into account for purposes of the limitation of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b)(1).
(f) Other Adjustments in 415(b) Limitation.
(1) In the event the member's retirement benefits become payable before age sixty-two (62), the limit prescribed by this section shall be reduced in accordance with Treasury Regulations pursuant to the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b), so that such limit (as so reduced) equals an annual straight life benefit (when such retirement income benefit begins) which is equivalent to a one hundred sixty thousand dollar ($160,000) (as adjusted) annual benefit beginning at age sixty-two (62).
(2) The reductions provided for in (1) above shall not be applicable to pre-retirement disability benefits or pre-retirement death benefits.
(g) Less than Ten (10) Years of Service Adjustment for 415(b) Limitations. The maximum retirement benefits payable to any member who has completed less than ten (10) years of service shall be the amount determined under subsection (c) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of the member's years of service and the denominator of which is ten (10). The reduction provided by this subsection cannot reduce the maximum benefit below 10%. The reduction provided for in this subsection shall not be applicable to pre-retirement disability benefits or pre-retirement death benefits.
(h) Ten Thousand Dollar ($10,000) Limit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the retirement benefit payable with respect to a member shall be deemed not to exceed the 415 limit if the benefits payable, with respect to such member under the retirement system and under all other qualified defined benefit pension plans to which the member's employer contributes, do not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the applicable limitation year and for any prior limitation year and the employer has not any time maintained a qualified defined contribution plan in which the member participated.
(i) Effect of COLA without a Lump Sum Component on 415(b) Testing. Effective on and after January 1, 2009, for purposes of applying the limits under Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b) (the "Limit") to a member with no lump sum benefit, the following will apply:
(1) a member's applicable Limit will be applied to the member's annual benefit in the member's first limitation year without regard to any cost of living adjustments under Oklahoma statutes;
(2) to the extent that the member's annual benefit equals or exceeds the Limit, the member will no longer be eligible for cost of living increases until such time as the benefit plus the accumulated increases are less than the Limit; and
(3) thereafter, in any subsequent limitation year, a member's annual benefit, including any cost of living increases under Oklahoma statutes, shall be tested under the then applicable benefit Limit including any adjustment to the Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b)(1)(A) dollar limit under Internal Revenue Code Section 415(d), and the regulations thereunder.
(j) Effect of COLA with a Lump Sum Component on 415(b) Testing. On and after January 1, 2009, with respect to a member who receives a portion of the member's annual benefit in a lump sum, a member's applicable Limit will be applied taking into consideration cost of living increases as required by Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b) and applicable Treasury Regulations.
(k) Section 415(c) limitations on contributions and other additions. After-tax member contributions or other annual additions with respect to a member may not exceed the lesser of $40,000 (as adjusted pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 415(d)) or 100% of the member's compensation.
(1) Annual additions are defined to mean the sum (for any year) of employer contributions to a defined contribution plan, member contributions, and forfeitures credited to a member's individual account. Member contributions are determined without regard to rollover contributions and to picked-up employee contributions that are paid to a defined benefit plan.
(2) For purposes of applying Internal Revenue Code Section 415(c) and for no other purpose, the definition of compensation where applicable will be compensation actually paid or made available during a limitation year, except as noted below and as permitted by Treasury Regulation section 1.415(c)-2, or successor regulation; provided, however, that member contributions picked up under Internal Revenue Code Section 414(h) shall not be treated as compensation.
(3) Solely for purposes of calculating and complying with the limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 415, a member's compensation will be defined as wages within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 3401(a) and all other payments of compensation to an employee by an employer for which the employer is required to furnish the employee a written statement under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6041(d), 6051(a)(3) and 6052 and will be determined without regard to any rules under Internal Revenue Code Section 3401(a) that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed (such as the exception for agricultural labor in Internal Revenue Code Section 3401(a)(2)).
(A) However, for limitation years beginning after December 31, 1997, compensation will also include amounts that would otherwise be included in compensation but for an election under Internal Revenue Code Sections 125(a), 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 402(k), or 457(b). For limitation years beginning after December 31, 2000, compensation shall also include any elective amounts that are not includible in the gross income of the member by reason of Internal Revenue Code Section 132(f)(4).
(B) For limitation years beginning on and after January 1, 2009, compensation for the limitation year shall also include compensation paid by the later of 2½ months after a member's severance from employment or the end of the limitation year that includes the date of the member's severance from employment if:
(i) the payment is regular compensation for services during the member's regular working hours, or compensation for services outside the member's regular working hours (such as overtime or shift differential), commissions, bonuses or other similar payments, and, absent a severance from employment, the payments would have been paid to the member while the member continued in employment with the employer; or
(ii) the payment is for unused accrued bona fide sick, vacation or other leave that the member would have been able to use if employment had continued.
(C) Back pay, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.415(c)-2(g)(8), shall be treated as compensation for the limitation year to which the back pay relates to the extent the back pay represents wages and compensation that would otherwise be included under this definition.
(4) For limitation years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, a member's compensation for purposes of subsection (k) shall not exceed the annual limit under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17).
(l) Service Purchases under Section 415(n). Effective for permissive service credit contributions made in limitation years beginning after December 31, 1997, if a member makes one or more contributions to purchase permissive service credit under the retirement system, then the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(n) will be treated as met only if:
(1) the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b) are met, determined by treating the accrued benefit derived from all such contributions as an annual benefit for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b), or
(2) the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(c) are met, determined by treating all such contributions as annual additions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(c).
(3) For purposes of applying this section, the retirement system will not fail to meet the reduced limit under Internal Revenue Code Section 415(b)(2)(C) solely by reason of this subparagraph and will not fail to meet the percentage limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 415(c)(1)(B) solely by reason of this section.
(4) For purposes of this section the term "permissive service credit" means service credit
(A) recognized by the retirement system for purposes of calculating a member's benefit under the retirement system,
(B) which such member has not received under the retirement system, and
(C) which such member may receive only by making a voluntary additional contribution, in an amount determined under the retirement system, which does not exceed the amount necessary to fund the benefit attributable to such service credit.
(5) Effective for permissive service credit contributions made in limitation years beginning after December 31, 1997, such term may include service credit for periods for which there is no performance of service, and, notwithstanding paragraph (4), subparagraph (B), may include service credited in order to provide an increased benefit for service credit which a member is receiving under the retirement system.
(6) The retirement system will fail to meet the requirements of this section if
(A) more than five years of nonqualified service credit are taken into account for purposes of this subparagraph, or
(B) any nonqualified service credit is taken into account under this paragraph before the member has at least five years of participation under the retirement system.
(7) For purposes of paragraph (6), effective for permissive service credit contributions made in limitation years beginning after December 31, 1997, the term "nonqualified service credit" means permissive service credit other than that allowed with respect to
(A) service (including parental, medical, sabbatical, and similar leave) as an employee of the Government of the United States, any State or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing (other than military service or service for credit which was obtained as a result of a repayment described in Internal Revenue Code Section 415(k)(3)),
(B) service (including parental, medical, sabbatical, and similar leave) as an employee (other than as an employee described in subparagraph (A)) of an education organization described in Internal Revenue Code Section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) which is a public, private, or sectarian school which provides elementary or secondary education (through grade 12), or a comparable level of education, as determined under the applicable law of the jurisdiction in which the service was performed,
(C) service as an employee of an association of employees who are described in subparagraph (A), or
(D) military service (other than qualified military service under Internal Revenue Code Section 414(u)) recognized by the retirement system.
(8) In the case of service described in paragraph (7), subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), such service will be nonqualified service if recognition of such service would cause a member to receive a retirement benefit for the same service under more than one plan.
(9) In the case of a trustee-to-trustee transfer after December 31, 2001, to which Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b)(13)(A) or Internal Revenue Code Section 457(e)(17)(A) applies (without regard to whether the transfer is made between plans maintained by the same employer):
(A) the limitations of paragraph (6) will not apply in determining whether the transfer is for the purchase of permissive service credit, and
(B) the distribution rules applicable under federal law to the system will apply to such amounts and any benefits attributable to such amounts.
(10) For an eligible member, the limitation of Internal Revenue Code Section 415(c)(1) shall not be applied to reduce the amount of permissive service credit which may be purchased to an amount less than the amount which was allowed to be purchased under the terms of the retirement system as in effect on August 5, 1997. For purposes of this paragraph an eligible member is an individual who first became a member in the retirement system before January 1, 1998.
(11) Nothing in this subsection (l) shall provide any additional rights to purchase service credit in the retirement system that are not otherwise expressly provided for under other provisions of these rules or Oklahoma statutes.
(m) Modification of Contributions for 415(c) and 415(n) Purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the retirement system may modify a request by a member to make a contribution to the retirement system if the amount of the contribution would exceed the limits provided in Internal Revenue Code Section 415 by using the following methods:
(1) If the law requires a lump sum payment for the purchase of service credit, the retirement system may establish a periodic payment plan for the member to avoid a contribution in excess of the limits under Internal Revenue Code Section 415(c) or 415(n), pursuant to OAC 715:10-5-4.
(2) If payment pursuant to subparagraph (1) will not avoid a contribution in excess of the limits imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 415(c) or 415(n), the retirement system may either reduce the member's contribution to an amount within the limits of those sections or refuse the member's contribution. The rules applicable to picked-up service purchases under OAC 715:10-5-35 are not subject to this subsection.
(n) Repayments of Cashouts. Any repayment of contributions (including interest thereon) to the retirement system with respect to an amount previously refunded upon a forfeiture of service credit under the retirement system or another governmental plan maintained by the retirement system shall not be taken into account for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 415, in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations.
(o) Reduction of Benefits Priority. Reduction of benefits and/or contributions to all plans, where required, shall be accomplished by first reducing the member's benefit under any defined benefit plans in which the member participated, such reduction to be made first with respect to the plan in which the member most recently accrued benefits and thereafter in such priority as shall be determined by the plan and the plan administrator of such other plans, and next, by reducing or allocating excess forfeitures for defined contribution plans in which the member participated, such reduction to be made first with respect to the plan in which the member most recently accrued benefits and thereafter in such priority as shall be established by the plan and the plan administrator for such other plans provided, however, that necessary reductions may be made in a different manner and priority pursuant to the agreement of the plan and the plan administrator of all other plans covering such member.
[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 4785, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 318, eff 11-12-08 (emergency); Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2379, eff 6-25-09]
715:10-15-27. Code Section 401(a)(17) limits as applied to TRS
Notwithstanding any other provision of the administrative code, benefit calculations from the retirement system shall not take into account compensation in excess of the amount prescribed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, this limit shall not apply to any eligible participant (any member who joined the system prior to July 1, 1996).
[Source: Added at 12 Ok Reg 3666, eff 9-8-95 through 7-14-96 (emergency)1; Added at 13 Ok Reg 3523, eff 8-26-96]
Subchapter 17. Post-Retirement Employment
715:10-17-1. Definitions
715:10-17-2. Break between employment and retirement
715:10-17-3. Fulltime employment after retirement [Revoked]
715:10-17-4. Fulltime employment with no effect on benefits [Revoked]
715:10-17-5. Permissible employment
715:10-17-6. Earnings limits
715:10-17-7. Employment by a disabled retiree
715:10-17-8. Repayment of benefits
715:10-17-9. Annual W-2P tax statements
715:10-17-10. Effective date of OAC 715:10-17-1 through 715:10-17-9
715:10-17-11. Special waiver for retirees past age 70
715:10-17-12. Earnings report by remitting agencies
715:10-17-13. Election to return to qualifying employment
715:10-17-14. Termination and Resumption of Benefit Payments
715:10-17-1. Definitions
The following words or terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Public school" means all schools, colleges, universities, state agencies, boards, commissions or other state educational entities conducted within the state supported wholly or partly by public funds and operating for any function of public education. All employment by any state agency, which would cause or allow the member to be enrolled in TRS as an active employee will constitute employment by a public school for the purposes of this section. Members receiving service retirement benefits may be employed in private schools, public schools in other states, and in private business without affecting their benefits.
"Retired Member" shall be inclusive of any person, who is receiving monthly benefits from the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma, whether that person is an individual, incorporated entity, corporation, proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company or partnership, or any other business structure that contracts with a public school to perform duties ordinarily performed by classified or non-classified personnel.
"Retirement" means withdrawal from active service, with a retirement benefit in lieu thereof.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 380, eff 10-16-02 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03]
715:10-17-2. Break between employment and retirement
The requirements for post-retirement employment shall be administered as directed in Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-116.10 [70 O.S. 17-116.10].
[Source: Amended at 29 Ok Reg 868, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-17-3. Fulltime employment after retirement (REVOKED)
[Source: Revoked at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93]
715:10-17-4. Fulltime employment with no effect on benefits (REVOKED)
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3289, eff 6-12-92 (emergency); Revoked at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93]
715:10-17-5. Permissible employment
Post-retirement employment in the public schools, institutions, and agencies covered by TRS is allowed after the break in employment outlined in OAC 715:10-17-2 has been met. Employment subject to this section shall include any services performed by a retired member, as defined in this subchapter, except for payments received as an independent contractor or consultant, pursuant to a lawful contract that complies with the requirements of 70 O.S. § 6101.2(B). The Teachers' Retirement System will follow guidelines in subsection B of Section 6-101.2 of Title 70 and federal guidelines from the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service in determining when a retired person qualifies as an independent contractor or consultant.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 384, eff 12-9-02 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03]
715:10-17-6. Earnings limits
The earnings limit for post-retirement earnings shall be one-twelfth (1/12) of the annual limit multiplied by the number of months the member is eligible to work and receive payments during each calendar year from the public schools of Oklahoma. All other limitations on post-retirement earnings shall be administered as directed in Title 70, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 17-116.10 [70 O.S. 17-116.10].
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4785, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 48, eff 9-4-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3481, eff 7-15-98; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 384, eff 12-9-02 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)2; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 868, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-17-7. Employment by a disabled retiree
A member retired under the disability retirement provisions of TRS is not eligible to be employed, in any capacity, by any school, public or private, in Oklahoma or in other state, from the date of retirement to age 62. After age 62, a member receiving disability retirement shall be eligible for post-retirement employment under the same conditions outlined above for other retired members.
(1) A disabled retiree who returns to Oklahoma public education employment at an annual salary equal to or greater than the annual salary received at the time of disability shall again become a contributing member of TRS. Disability retirement payments shall be suspended until the member has qualified to be restored to active service. Upon completion of six (6) months of membership service, the member shall be considered as having met the requirements to be restored to active service. At such time, disability retirement shall be terminated and the unused portion of the accumulated contributions shall be re-established in the member's active retirement account. If the member again retires under a regular retirement allowance, eligibility to receive a monthly retirement allowance shall be based on total years of creditable service (see OAC 715:10-15-21).
(2) Each retired member, who has not attained age 62, receiving disability retirement from TRS shall complete a TRS Report of Earned Income by Disabled Member Form and file such form with TRS by April 15 each year. The report will list all "earned" income from all sources. Failure to complete a TRS Report of Earned Income by Disabled Member Form may result in suspension of monthly benefits if the executive director of TRS deems such action necessary and appropriate (see OAC 715:10-15-22).
[Source: Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 981, eff 5-26-11]
715:10-17-8. Repayment of benefits
Any amount due TRS because of earnings exceeding the maximum must be repaid by the member prior to March 1 of the year following the calendar year of employment. TRS has the right to suspend monthly benefits, and/or withhold money due beneficiaries, to settle any remaining balance due TRS from a member's account. Repayment of benefits forfeited due to employment in excess of the maximum limit will require an interest penalty of eight percent (8%) per annum, compounded monthly from the date due (March 1) to the date of repayment.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93]
715:10-17-9. Annual W-2P tax statements
TRS will not adjust W-2P, or other year-end tax statements, to reflect re-payment of benefits received after December 31. Any adjustment in retirement income required because of repayments received after December 31 will be shown in the calendar year in which the transaction was completed.
715:10-17-10. Effective date of OAC 715:10-17-1 through 715:10-17-9
OAC 715:10-17-1 through 715:10-17-9 shall become effective July 1, 1993, for all retired members of the Teachers' Retirement System and will apply to all members who retire after that date. Members retired prior to July 1, 1993, who were employed by the public schools of Oklahoma during the calendar year 1993, may elect to have post retirement employment treated under the cited rules for the calendar year 1993, if in their opinion, it would provide a greater opportunity for employment during this period than the rules in existence during the period from January 1, 1993, to June 30, 1993.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93]
715:10-17-11. Special waiver for retirees past age 70
Any retired member receiving TRS benefits, who reached age 70 prior to July 1, 1991, shall not be restricted by the earnings limits in OAC 715:10-17-6 until January 1, 1994. To qualify for this rule, the member must be employed less than half-time compared to other employees in similar positions. Effective January 1, 1994, all retired members shall have the earnings limit in OAC 715:10-17-6 applied to their post-retirement employment.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3879, eff 7-12-93]
715:10-17-12. Earnings report by remitting agencies
Prior to March 15 of each year, each employer covered by the provisions of TRS shall submit a report showing the total earnings received by each individual, member and non-member of TRS, during the previous calendar year. The report provided by the employer shall be a copy of the magnetic media report prepared and submitted to IRS to report W-2 Tax Statements and other taxable income reportable to IRS and the Social Security Administration. In lieu of the magnetic media report above, a magnetic media report may be created having the name, social security number, address and the total earnings paid from all sources from January 1 to December 31 of the year and shall be in the format specified by TRS. [
Source: Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-17-13. Election to return to qualifying employment
Any retired member who returns to employment in the public schools of Oklahoma and is employed half-time or more as defined in OAC 715:10-3-2 and OAC 715:10-3-3 may return to membership contributing status under the following conditions:
(1) The retired member must file an irrevocable election to discontinue retirement benefits for the period of such employment. The return to membership contributing status must coincide with the beginning of a school year or the member must refund all benefit payments received from the beginning of the school year in which employment begins and make employee contributions on any compensation earned from the beginning of the school year to the date of the election to return to contributing status.
(2) The election form must be completed by the employing school and signed by the retired member and an official who has authority to employ or pay regular employees of the school. In addition, a new Personal Data Form 1-A shall be completed and submitted to TRS to return a member to work status.
(3) The form must include the nature of the position held and the beginning date of employment.
(4) Retirement payments shall be discontinued in accordance with OAC 715:10-17-14. Retirement payments shall not be resumed during the summer months between consecutive years of this type of employment.
(5) The retired member and the employing public school shall remit employee and employer contributions in the same manner as active contributing employees.
(6) The retired member shall accumulate service credit in the same manner as active contributing employees of the system.
(7) Upon termination of employment, the retired member's monthly retirement benefits will resume with an adjustment to reflect credit for the additional employment as follows:
(A) The initial benefit calculated at the time of retirement will not be affected by the additional employment.
(B) Service credits will be accumulated and credited to the member's record in accordance with Subchapter 3 of this Chapter.
(C) A supplemental benefit for the year(s) of additional service will be calculated using the standard retirement benefit formula and the retirement plan selected by the retiree when the member first retired (See OAC 715:10-15-7 and 715:10-15-7.1).
(D) The average salary used in calculating the supplement benefit will be the average of the salaries earned during this period of employment. In the event the member is employed for less than the number of years required to determine the appropriate average salary, the average will be determined by the number of years employed. Annual salaries will be based on contributions made and determined on a school year basis.
(8) If the retired member is employed for a period less than six months, or for a period of time which does not qualify for additional service credit, the employee contributions remitted by the employee or by the employer on the retired member's behalf will be refunded to the member without interest. Employer contributions as provided by OAC 715:10-13-3 will not be refunded.
(9) The employer shall provide written notice to the Teachers' Retirement System when the retired member's employment is terminated. The member cannot resume benefit payments under this rule and remain employed. The member must comply with the sixty (60)-day non-employment rule that applies to a member who elects regular retirement. Retirement payments will be resumed effective the first of the following month, provided employment terminates on or before the 15th of the month, otherwise benefits will be resumed the first of the next succeeding month. Any supplemental benefit determined pursuant to this section shall commence at the same time.
(10) If the retired member dies while engaging in half-time or more employment as provided in this section, the retired member's beneficiaries will receive any survivor benefits specified in the terms of the retirement contract elected by the member, the $18,000 death benefit provided by OAC 715:10-9-2, if applicable, and a return of employee contributions, plus interest accumulated during the current employment, as defined in OAC 715:10-9-1. The beneficiaries of the deceased retired member will not be entitled to both the $18,000 death benefit and the $5,000 death benefit defined in OAC 715:10-9-4.
(11) If a retired member does not file an election to discontinue monthly benefits while employed by the public schools of Oklahoma, he or she waives the accrual of service credit and the right to any supplemental benefit from service in the position, except to the extent that the value of the accrual of additional service credit and the supplemental benefit would exceed the actuarial value of the benefits received under this Chapter and that were continued or begun pursuant to an election under this section. In such a case, a supplemental benefit equal only to the difference in value will be payable upon subsequent retirement.
(12) Retired members returning to half-time or more employment under this subchapter and section shall not be considered "active members" for purposes of purchasing or transferring any form of prior service credit of whatever nature.
(13) A retiree having received a partial lump-sum payment, who is re-employed and returns to membership contributing status pursuant to OAC 715:10-17-13, shall have his or her subsequent retirement benefit calculated taking into consideration that a partial lump-sum payment has been received.
[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 4785, eff 9-12-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)2; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)3; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04]
715:10-17-14. Termination and Resumption of Benefit Payments
When a member returns to employment in a position that requires suspension of benefit payments, the following will apply:
(1) If the member commences employment after the 15th of the month the benefit payment for that month will be paid at the end of the month.
(2) If the member commences employment on or before the 15th of the month the benefit payment for that month will not be due and must be refunded if paid to the member.
(3) If the member terminates employment on or before the 15th of a month and the Teachers' Retirement System is notified prior to the 20th of the month the benefit payment for that month will be paid at the end of the month.
(4) If the member terminates employment after the 15th of a month the benefit payment for than month will not be due.
[Source: Added at 22 Ok Reg 2649, eff 7-11-05]
Subchapter 19. Tax-Sheltered Annuity Program
715:10-19-1. Authority for program
715:10-19-2. General description
715:10-19-3. Eligible employees
715:10-19-4. Program requisites
715:10-19-5. Contributions
715:10-19-6. Calculation of exclusion allowance [Revoked]
715:10-19-7. Methods of computing maximum TSA contribution
715:10-19-8. Distributions
715:10-19-9. Withdrawals for financial hardship
715:10-19-10. Example of tax-shelter earnings [Revoked]
715:10-19-11. Rollovers from OTRS 403(b) program to other eligible retirement plans
715:10-19-12. The Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund
715:10-19-13. Contributions from the Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund into Tax-Sheltered Annuity accounts of active contributing TRS members
715:10-19-1. Authority for program
The TRS Tax-Sheltered Annuity Program ("Program") is designed to meet the requirements of section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") and the federal regulations that have been promulgated to implement Code Section 403(b), specifically including Treasury Regulations Sections 1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-11. The Program is administered by the Board of Trustees. However, the Board can retain a third-party to administer the Program, including providing investment options. Code Section 403(b)authorizes tax-sheltered annuity programs, setting forth requirements that must be followed. Failure to follow these requirements may cause penalties to be imposed on the individual member or cause the tax-sheltered status of the Oklahoma Teachers' Retirement System program to be disallowed. Changes to Code Section 403(b) by Congress or changes to the federal regulations usually affect the Program's administration; therefore, this Program will change as often as Congress amends or revises Code Section 403(b) and as changes are made to related federal regulations. Title 70 O.S. 17-108 allows members of Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma ("TRS") to participate in the Program. However, in making deposits to this Program, the member and the employing school must comply with all applicable aspects of the Internal Revenue Code. The provisions of the Program described in this Subchapter 19 are effective as of January 1, 2009, except as otherwise noted in this Subchapter.
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-2. General description
The following is a general description of the Program available from TRS. (Where the term "TRS" is used in this subchapter, the term includes, where appropriate, a third-party administrator or other service provider selected by TRS to perform services with respect to the Program.) The member should be aware that tax-sheltered annuity plan investment options are also offered by many major insurance companies through the member's employing Oklahoma public school.
(1) The Program's primary purpose is to enable eligible members to contribute to a supplemental retirement program in preparation for retirement.
(2) An eligible employer makes salary reduction contributions on behalf of a member to the Program at the election of that member. Employers cannot require contributions to the Program as a condition of employment. However, an employer may establish an auto enrollment feature in accordance with federal law. The member's employer deducts tax-sheltered contributions from the member's salary and forwards the deductions to TRS. TRS places the monies in the member's Program account. The accounts are debited or credited with earnings according to the member's investment selection. Statements are mailed to the member's home address on a quarterly basis.
(3) Each participating member receives an immediate vested and nonforfeitable interest in the amounts credited to his or her Program account. The member is precluded from selling, assigning, or pledging his or her funds in the Program account to another person or party, except to designate a beneficiary in the event of death. However, TRS will honor qualified domestic relations orders within the meaning of 70 O.S. 17-109, OAC 715:10-25-1 et seq, and Code Section 414(p).
(4) Member accounts may be assessed investment management fees by TRS for services rendered by TRS.
(5) Monies in this Program are not insured in the same manner as deposits are insured with various privately operated financial institutions, (i.e. FDIC). TRS may establish a recordkeeping account for each member by TRS. Deposits are kept separate from the member's regular retirement account. TRS may select investment options, including a default fund, and may establish procedures related to the transfer of funds among investment options, including mapping instructions and black-out periods. TRS has in general delegated investment authority to each member to select among investment options determined by TRS.
(6) Money deposited in the Program will not be matched by the State of Oklahoma.
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)2; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-3. Eligible employees
To participate in the Program, a member must be an active employee of a qualifying educational organization within the meaning of section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code which normally maintains a regular faculty, curriculum, and a regular organized body of students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are conducted. University regents or trustees and members of boards of education are not eligible to participate in the Program since they are elected or appointed. Employees of the Oklahoma Teachers' Retirement System are also not eligible to participate in the Program. Retired members who are employed full-time or part-time by a public school in Oklahoma are eligible to participate in the Program.
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)2; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 48, eff 9-4-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3481, eff 7-15-98; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-4. Program requisites
The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that money deposited in the Program may be tax-sheltered, provided the following steps are taken:
(1) A board of education or other governing board of an eligible employer adopts a resolution making the Program available to its employees. Once this action is taken, this subchapter and 70 O.S. 17-108 shall be deemed to be part of the employer's written plan document under Treasury Regulations § 1.403(b)-3(b)(3).
(2) The member signs an amended contract with the board of education or governing board for the express purpose of making elective deferrals to the Program. This is done by either taking a reduction in salary or waiving a salary increase. The salary reduction agreement must be entered into prior to the date contributions are to commence and may only apply to amounts earned by the member after the agreement is effective. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer from implementing auto enrollment pursuant to federal law.
(3) An eligible employer permitting any TRS member to contribute to the Program must permit all eligible TRS members to contribute to the Program in accordance with section 403(b)(12)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Income Tax Regulations thereunder.
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-5. Contributions
After a member enters into the salary reduction agreement (completing an amended contract and any other payroll requirement specified by the eligible employer), the eligible employer shall make payroll deductions in lieu of the member receiving cash compensation on a monthly basis in accordance with the agreement. The eligible employer shall submit the contributions for all members in the school district to the TRS service provider in the manner prescribed by the service provider.
(1) All contributions to the Program must be salary reductions. Members cannot make direct payments to the Program. If the contributions are not salary reductions, tax-deferral will not be possible. As a result, the Program will only accept employer payments of salary reduction contributions for members. Nothing in this provision prohibits a member from making a rollover contribution to the Program.
(2) Employers should forward salary reduction contributions in a timely manner, but in no event later than fifteen (15) business days following the end of the month in which the amount would have otherwise been paid to the member. Employers are also responsible for ensuring that members do not contribute more than the maximum amount allowed by federal tax law. Salary reduction agreements are limited under the Internal Revenue Code, as described in the following:
(A) The amount of salary reduction contributions made in a member's taxable year under the Program, and any other plans, contracts, or arrangements of the employer, may not exceed the amount of the limitation in effect under Internal Revenue Code Section 402(g)(1), as increased by Internal Revenue Code Sections 402(g)(4), 402(g)(7) and 414(v), for such taxable year.
(B) Contributions to the Program and to any other section 403(b) plan (or, if required by Internal Revenue Code Section 415 and the Income Tax Regulations thereunder, to any other defined contribution plan) made in a calendar year (unless another twelve (12) month period ending within the calendar year is elected) with respect to an employee may not exceed limitations under Code Section 415(c) for such calendar year. The limitation on annual additions set forth in Internal Revenue Code 415(c) for any calendar year is the lesser of: (i) Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000), adjusted for cost-of-living to the extent provided under section 415(d) of the Code; or (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the Participant's Includible Compensation.
(C) For purposes of this Section, "annual addition" has the meaning provided in section 415(c) of the Code, as modified by sections 415(l)(1) and 419A(d)(2) of the Code. In general, section 415(c) of the Code defines the annual addition as the sum of the following amounts credited to a member's accounts for any calendar year under this Program and to any section 403(b) plan (or, if required by section 415 of the Code and the Income Tax Regulations thereunder, to any other defined contribution plan): (1) employer contributions;
(2) employee contributions; and (3) forfeitures. Annual additions shall not include: (1) any elective deferrals made by a member who is age fifty (50) or older in accordance with, and subject to, section 414(v) of the Code; (2) excess elective deferrals distributed in accordance with section 1.402(g)-1(e)(2) of the Income Tax Regulations; or (3) rollover contributions.
(D) "Includible compensation" means a member's compensation received from the employer that is includible in the member's gross income for federal income tax purposes (computed without regard to Internal Revenue Code Section 911) for the most recent period that is a year of service. Includible compensation also includes any amount contributed or deferred by the employer at the election of the member that would be includible in the gross income of the member but for the rules of section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 402(k), or 457(b) of the Code. The amount of Includible compensation is determined without regard to any community property laws. Includible compensation does not include any amounts "picked-up" by the employer within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code 414(h). Includible compensation includes differential pay as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 414(u). Includible compensation includes any compensation described in paragraphs (E) or (F), provided the compensation is paid by the later of two and one-half (2 ½) months after the member's severance from employment with the employer or the end of the calendar year in which the member has a severance from employment with the employer.
(E) Any payment that would have been paid to the member prior to a severance from employment if the member had continued in employment with the employer and that is regular compensation for services outside the member's regular working hours (such as overtime or other similar payments).
(F) A payment for unused accrued bona fide sick, vacation, or other leave, but only if the member would have been able to use the leave if employment had continued and the payment would have been included in the definition of compensation if it was paid prior to the member's severance from employment.
(3) Each member shall specify in the salary reduction agreement the dollar amount or percentage by which the member's salary is to be reduced by the employer. Each such agreement shall be legally binding and irrevocable as to the amounts earned while it is in effect. A member may change the salary reduction agreement during the member's taxable year. A member may terminate the agreement with respect to amounts not yet earned. Any member who wishes to change the amount contributed to the Program must complete a new amended contract. Contributions can be stopped at any time.
(4) Employers are required to report salary reduction contributions made to the Program on the federal Form W-2. Employers should mark the "deferred compensation" block in the correct box of the W-2 and should put the amount of the contribution and the appropriate code in the specified box of the Form W-2.
(5) Employers should not withhold federal and state income taxes on salary reduction contributions made to the Program. No other withholdings, including regular contributions to TRS and FICA taxes, should be affected or decreased by salary reduction contributions to the Program.
(6) Any active or retired member may roll over to the Program an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 402(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code from other section 403(b) plans or eligible retirement plans within the meaning of section 402(c)(8)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code subject to limitations in the Internal Revenue Code and/or pertinent sections of the Income Tax Regulations. An eligible rollover distribution means any distribution of all or any portion of a member's benefit under another eligible retirement plan, except that an eligible rollover distribution does not include (1) any installment payment for a period of 10 years or more, (2) any distribution made as a result of an unforeseeable emergency or other distribution which is made upon hardship of the employee, or (3) for any other distribution, the portion, if any, of the distribution that is a required minimum distribution under section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. An eligible retirement plan means an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of the Code, an individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b) of the Code, a qualified trust described in section 401(a) of the Code, an annuity plan described in section 403(a) or 403(b) of the Code, or an eligible governmental plan described in section 457(b) of the Code, that accepts the eligible rollover distribution. Written verification that the rollover is an eligible rollover distribution from an eligible retirement plan must be received by TRS before any such monies will be accepted. Such rollover contributions shall be made in the form of cash only, not in-kind. A separate rollover account will be established for these rollovers.
(7) The minimum allowable salary reduction contribution is Two Hundred Dollars ($200) per taxable year of the member.
(8) The Internal Revenue Code has set limits on the amount a member can exclude from his or her income for tax purposes. It is each member's and his or her employer's responsibility to ensure that contributions do not exceed the maximum limitations set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. TRS does not compute the maximum allowable contribution for Program participants and TRS is prohibited from entering into hold harmless agreements with participating members or employers.
(9) If TRS is notified of any excess deferral (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 402(g)), the excess deferral plus attributable income will be accounted for separately under Code Section 403(c) and if instructed will distribute the excess deferral plus interest to the member on or before April 15 of the year following the year of deferral. In the event of such a distribution, TRS will furnish the member with a Form 1099R with respect to the distribution of the excess deferral and attributable income. If distributed by April 15, the member should include the excess deferral refund in the member's gross income for the year the excess deferral was made and refund of the attributable income in the year distributed. The employee may have to file an amended income tax return for the year the excess contribution was made. If the excess contribution is not distributed by April 15, the distribution may not occur until a regular distribution would occur, and the employee must include the refund in the employee's gross income for the year of deferral and the year of distribution. In this case the excess deferral is taxed twice.
(10) A plan-to-plan transfer from another section 403(b) plan to this Program may be made on behalf of an active member if the following conditions are satisfied:
(A) The member is an employee of the employer for the transferring plan;
(B) The transferor plan provides for transfers; and
(C) The member whose assets are being transferred has an accumulated benefit immediately after the transfer that is at least equal to the accumulated benefit of that member immediately before the transfer.
(11) To the extent any amount transferred is subject to any distribution restrictions under section 1.403(b)-6 of the Treasury Regulations, the Program shall impose restrictions on distributions to the member whose assets are being transferred that are not less stringent than those imposed on the transferor plan. In addition, if the transfer does not constitute a complete transfer of the member's interest in the section 403(b) plan, the Program shall treat the amount transferred as a continuation of a pro rata portion of the member's interest in the section 403(b) plan.
(12) Notwithstanding any provisions of this subchapter, contributions, benefits and service credit with respect to qualified military service shall be provided in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended, and section 414(u) of the Internal Revenue Code. For this purpose, a member whose employment is interrupted by qualified military service under section 414(u) of the Internal Revenue Code or who is on a leave of absence for qualified military service under section 414(u) of the Internal Revenue Code may elect to make additional salary reduction contributions upon resumption of employment with the employer up to the maximum amount of salary reduction contributions that the member could have elected during that period if the member's employment with the employer had continued (at the same level of compensation) without the interruption or leave, reduced by the salary reduction contributions, if any, actually made for the member during the period of the interruption or leave. Except to the extent provided under section 414(u) of the Internal Revenue Code, this right applies for five (5) years following the resumption of employment (or, if sooner, for a period equal to three (3) times the period of the interruption or leave).
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)2; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 48, eff 9-4-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3481, eff 7-15-98; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-6. Calculation of exclusion allowance [REVOKED]
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Revoked at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02]
715:10-19-7. Methods of computing maximum TSA contribution
(a) The maximum amount salary reduction contributions to the Program for any calendar year shall not exceed the applicable dollar amount in Internal Revenue Code Section 402(g)(1) for the year. The applicable dollar amount is Sixteen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($16,500) for 2009 for all elective deferrals made by a member. The applicable dollar amount limit is adjusted for cost-of-living after 2009 to the extent provided under Internal Revenue Code Section 402(g).
(b) A member who will attain age fifty (50) or older by the end of the calendar year may elect to make an additional amount of salary reduction contributions to the Program in excess of the applicable dollar amount under Internal Revenue Code Section 402(g)(1). The maximum dollar amount of the age fifty (50) catch-up salary reduction contributions for a calendar year is Five Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($5,500) for 2009 for all elective deferrals made by a member. The maximum dollar amount of age fifty (50) catch-up salary reduction contributions is adjusted for cost-of-living after 2009 to the extent provided under Internal Revenue Code Section 414(v).
(c) A special catch-up provision allows members who have more than fifteen years of service with their employer to make additional contributions up to Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) per year. However, aggregate contributions of all years above the limits may not exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000). In addition a member can no longer make catch-up contributions under this special catch-up provision once his or her prior years' contributions to any tax-sheltered annuity exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) multiplied by the years of service (as defined in section 403(b)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code) with the employer.
(d) Salary reduction contributions in excess of the applicable dollar amount in Internal Revenue Code Section 402(g)(1) for the year shall be allocated first to the special catch-up provision under subparagraph (c) (if applicable) and next as an age fifty (50) catch-up contribution under subparagraph (b).
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-8. Distributions
(a) Distributions from members' accounts must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. TRS will distinguish pre-'87 and post-'86 account balances. Both account balances will be distributed in accordance with the applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions as they pertain to individual retirement accounts or annuities. The post-'86 account balance will include earnings after 1986 on the pre-'87 account balance. TRS will adjust each balance as required under IRS rules and regulations.
(b) Distribution of deposits made, or income earned, after December 31, 1988, will not be made to members except under one of the following circumstances:
(1) Attainment of age fifty-nine and one-half (59 1/2).
(2) Death.
(3) Disability within the meaning of section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(4) Severance from employment (with the member's employer). However, a severance from employment also occurs on any date on which a member ceases to be an employee of an educational organization, even though the member may continue to be employed by a related employer that is another unit of the State or local government that is not an educational organization or in a capacity that is not employment with an educational organization (e.g., ceasing to be an employee performing services for an educational organization but continuing to work for the same state or local government employer).
(5) Retirement.
(6) Financial hardship (this distribution does not include accumulated earnings).
(7) Transfer to another section 403(b) plan in accordance with subsection (n) of this section.
(8) Qualified reservist distribution under Code Section 72(t).
(9) Pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order.
(c) Distributions from this tax-sheltered annuity program are subject to federal and state income taxes. Certain distributions may also be subject to penalties and/or excise taxes under the Internal Revenue Code. Members should seek tax advice prior to requesting distributions.
(d) Upon filing a properly executed distribution request application, a portion or all of a member's tax-sheltered annuity balance that qualifies under Internal Revenue Code regulations, may be distributed. Distributions, other than required minimum distributions and hardship withdrawals, are subject to a mandatory federal withholding of twenty percent (20%). (Distribution of these deposits shall not affect membership status.)
(e) Members who have attained age fifty-nine and one-half (59 ½) are eligible to withdraw all or any portion of their deposits, subject to the provisions of subsection (h) of this section.
(f) Members who have not attained age fifty-nine and one-half (59 ½) and who have not had a severance from employment (retired or terminated employment) may withdraw only contributions made prior to January 1, 1989, unless a financial hardship exists. (See OAC 715:10-19-9.) Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a member may transfer his or her Program account to another section 403(b) plan subject to and in accordance with subsection (n) of this section. In addition, the restrictions of this section do not apply to amounts held in a separate rollover account.
(g) Members who roll over their Program accounts to another section 403(b) plan may transfer these funds back to the Program at a later time subject to and in accordance with paragraph 6 of OAC 715:10-19-5. (h) Upon severance from employment, a member may elect one of the following annuity distribution options subject to Internal Revenue Code requirements, including Code Section 403(b)(10), Code Section 401(a)(9), and the incidental death benefit requirements of Code Section 401(a):
(1) Minimum distribution option under Code Section 401(a)(9), with the post-1986 deferrals and all post-1986 earnings subject to the current Internal Revenue Service distribution rules and the pre-1987 account balance subject to the prior applicable Internal Revenue Service distribution rules.
(2) Lump sum surrender option, payable only to the member.
(3) Partial lump sum, where the member selects a specified lump sum payable to the member.
(4) A nontransferable fixed or variable annuity issued by an insurance company providing for periodic payments to a member and his/her beneficiary.
(i) The beneficiary(ies) designated on a member's regular retirement account also shall serve as beneficiary(ies) for the Program account, unless otherwise designated by the member.
(j) In the calendar year following the calendar year of the member's death, if the member dies before distribution of the member's account, the member's account shall be paid to his or her designated beneficiary in a lump sum. Alternatively, if the designated beneficiary with respect to the member's account is a natural person, at the designated beneficiary's election, distribution can be made in annual installments with the distribution period determined under this paragraph.
(k) If the designated beneficiary is the member's surviving spouse, the distribution period is equal to the beneficiary's life expectancy using the single life table in section 1.401(a)(9)-9, A-1, of the Income Tax Regulations for the spouse's age on the spouse's birthday for that year. If the designated beneficiary is not the member's surviving spouse, the distribution period is the beneficiary's life expectancy determined in the year following the year of the member's death using the single life table in section 1.401(a)(9)-9, A-1, of the Income Tax Regulations for the beneficiary's age on the beneficiary's birthday for that year, reduced by one for each year that has elapsed after that year.
(l) In the event there is no designated beneficiary, or if the member's estate or trust or a charitable organization is the designated beneficiary, the entire account balance must be distributed by the fifth year following the member's death. For any year, a beneficiary can elect distribution of a greater amount (not to exceed the amount of the remaining account balance) in lieu of the amount calculated under this paragraph.
(m) In no event shall any distribution begin later than the later of (i) April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the member attains age seventy and one-half (70 ½) or (ii) April 1 of the year following the year in which the member retires or otherwise has a severance from employment. If distributions commence in the calendar year following the later of the calendar year in which the member attains age seventy and one-half (70 ½) or the calendar year in which the severance from employment occurs, the distribution on the date that distribution commences must be equal to the annual installment payment for the year that the member has a severance from employment and an amount equal to the annual installment payment for the year after severance from employment must also be paid before the end of the calendar year of commencement. For purposes of this paragraph, annual installment payments through the year of the member's death are calculated as the amount payable each year equal to a fraction of the member's account balance equal to one divided by the distribution period set forth in the Uniform Lifetime Table at section 1.401(a)(9)-9, A-2, of the Income Tax Regulations for the member's age on the member's birthday for that year. If the member's age is less than age seventy (70), the distribution period is twenty-seven and four-tenths (27.4) plus the number of years that the member's age is less than age seventy (70). At the member's election, this annual payment can be made in monthly or quarterly installments. The account balance for this calculation (other than the final installment payment) is the account balance as of the end of the year prior to the year for which the distribution is being calculated. For any year, the member can elect distribution of a greater amount (not to exceed the amount of the remaining account balance) in lieu of the amount calculated using this formula. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, distribution of elective deferrals made prior to January 1, 1987 (but not any interest accumulated with respect thereto) need not commence until April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Participant attains age seventy-five (75).
(n) A plan-to-plan transfer from the Program to another section 403(b) plan may be made on behalf of an active member if the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The member is an employee of the employer for the receiving plan;
(2) The receiving plan provides for the receipt of transfers;
(3) The member whose assets are being transferred has an accumulated benefit immediately after the transfer that is at least equal to the accumulated benefit of that member immediately before the transfer;
(4) The receiving plan provides that, to the extent any amount transferred is subject to any distribution restrictions under section 1.403(b)-6 of the Income Tax Regulations, the receiving plan shall impose restrictions on distributions to the member whose assets are being transferred that are not less stringent than those imposed on the Program; and
(5) If the transfer does not constitute a complete transfer of the member's interest in the Program, the receiving plan shall treat the amount transferred as a continuation of a pro rata portion of the member's interest in the Program.
(o) Permissive Service Credit Transfers.
(1) If a member is also a member in a tax-qualified defined benefit governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d) of the Code) that provides for the acceptance of plan-to-plan transfers with respect to the member, then the member may elect to have any portion of the member's account transferred to the defined benefit governmental plan. A transfer under this section may be made before the member has had a severance from employment.
(2) A transfer may be made under this section only if the transfer is either for the purchase of permissive service credit (as defined in section 415(n)(3)(A) of the Code) under the receiving defined benefit governmental plan or a repayment to which section 415 of the Code does not apply by reason of section 415(k)(3) of the Code.
(3) In addition, if a plan-to-plan transfer does not constitute a complete transfer of the member's or Beneficiary's interest in the transferor plan, the Program shall treat the amount transferred as a continuation of a pro rata portion of the member's or Beneficiary's interest in the transferor plan (e.g., a pro rata portion of the member's or Beneficiary's interest in any after-tax employee contributions).
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)2; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 48, eff 9-4-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3481, eff 7-15-98; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 382, eff 10-16-02 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2596, eff 7-11-03; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-9. Withdrawals for financial hardship
(a) Financial hardship is defined as an immediate and heavy financial need experienced by the member, resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the member or of a dependent of the member, loss of the member's property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the member. The circumstances that constitute a financial hardship will depend upon the relevant facts and circumstances of each case, but, in any case, payment may not be made to the extent that such financial hardship is or may be relieved:
(1) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise;
(2) by liquidation of the member's assets, to the extent the liquidation of these assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship;
(3) by cessation of salary reduction contributions under the Program; or
(4) by other distributions and nontaxable (at the time of the loan) loans from plans maintained by the employer, by any other employer, the employer(s) of the member's spouse, or by borrowing from commercial sources on reasonable commercial terms, in an amount sufficient to satisfy the need.
(b) Specific needs that are deemed to satisfy the requirements of a hardship withdrawal include, but are not limited to:
(1) Medical expenses incurred by the member, the member's spouse or dependents which are not covered by insurance or other reimbursement;
(2) Costs directly related to the purchase of a principal residence for the member (excluding mortgage payments);
(3) Payment of tuition, related educational fees, and room and board expenses, for the next twelve (12) months of post-secondary education for the member, or the member's spouse or dependents; or
(4) Payments necessary to prevent the eviction of the employee from the employee's principal residence or foreclosure on the mortgage of that residence.
(c) Withdrawal amounts are permitted only to the extent reasonably necessary to satisfy the financial hardship. Withdrawal of credited earnings in the member's account is not permitted.
(d) The participating employer is responsible for the determination of hardship, in accordance with procedures established under the employer's plan.
(e) Distributions made via a hardship withdrawal request may be subject to an early distribution penalty of ten percent (10%).
(f) A member who receives a hardship withdrawal is required to cease salary reduction contributions for six (6) months following the withdrawal.
(g) In lieu of the provisions of this section, an employer may prescribe hardship withdrawal requirements.
[Source: Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3899, eff 8-5-96 through 7-14-97 (emergency)2; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3216, eff 7-25-97; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2255, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-10. Example of tax-shelter earnings (REVOKED)
[Source: Revoked at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Revoked at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95]
715:10-19-11. Rollovers from OTRS 403(b) program to other eligible retirement plans
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the administrative code, a member, a member's spouse, a member's former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic order, as defined in OAC 715:10-25-1, may elect at the time and in the manner prescribed by TRS, to have all or a portion of an eligible rollover distribution (as defined in Internal Revenue Code 402(c)(4) from the Program paid directly to another eligible retirement plan as defined under Internal Revenue Code 402(c)(8)(B) and the regulations thereto. In addition, a designated beneficiary other than a surviving spouse may elect to roll over an eligible rollover distribution directly from the Program to an individual retirement plan that has been established on behalf of the beneficiary as an inherited individual retirement plan, subject to and in accordance with section 408(d)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of the words and phrases used in this Section:
(1) an "eligible rollover distribution" includes any distribution of all or any portion of the tax-sheltered annuity benefit to the credit of a member, a member's spouse, a member's former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic order, as defined in OAC 715:10-25-1, or a deceased member's designated beneficiary except that an eligible rollover distribution does not include the following:
(A) any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments, paid not less frequently than annually, made for the life or life expectancy of the member or the member and the member's spouse.
(B) any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for a specified period of ten years or more.
(C) any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9). (D) any distributions during a year that are reasonably expected to total less than $200.
(2) an "eligible retirement plan" includes an individual retirement account or annuity described in Internal Revenue Code Sections 408(a) or (b), a qualified trust described in Internal Revenue Code 401(a), an annuity program described in Internal Revenue Code Sections 403(a) or 403(b), or an eligible governmental plan described in Internal Revenue Code 457(b) that is willing to accept the distributee's eligible rollover distribution. In addition, an eligible retirement plan includes a Roth IRA under Internal Revenue Code Section 408A. However, in the case of a distribution to a beneficiary who at the time of the member's death was neither the spouse of the member nor the spouse or former spouse of the member who is an alternate payee under a domestic relations order, a direct rollover is payable only to an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity that has been established on behalf of the Beneficiary as an inherited IRA (within the meaning of section 408(d)(3)(C) of the Code).
(c) Eligible rollover distributions may be paid to not more than two eligible retirement plans, as selected by the distributee, when a direct rollover is elected.
[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 4409, eff 7-14-94 through 7-14-95 (emergency)1; Added at 12 Ok Reg 3285, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-12. The Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund
(a) The Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund, established and funded pursuant to Enrolled House Bill 1428 of the first session of the 47th Oklahoma State Legislature, shall be used for payment by TRS of matching contributions into the Program accounts of active, contributing TRS members. Accounts eligible to receive matching contributions are those maintained by TRS in accordance with section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) TRS shall hold and invest funds in the Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund in the same manner determined by the Board of Trustees.
(c) If the Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund is insufficiently funded to fully pay such contributions in any month, payments shall be suspended until sufficient monies are available.
[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Added at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-19-13. Contributions from the Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund into Tax-Sheltered Annuity accounts of active contributing TRS members
Provided funds in the Oklahoma Teachers' Deferred Savings Incentive Plan Fund are sufficient to fully fund such contributions, TRS shall contribute $25.00 per month into the Program account of each active contributing TRS member who contributes at least $25.00 per month into his or her Program account maintained pursuant to section 403(b) of Internal Revenue Code.
[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 204, eff 9-8-99 (emergency); Added at 17 Ok Reg 3071, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 131, eff 10-2-09 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
Subchapter 21. Investment Policy [Revoked]
715:10-21-1. Investment of funds [Revoked]
715:10-21-2. Statement of investment policy [Revoked]
715:10-21-3. Investment guidelines [Revoked]
715:10-21-4. Portfolio assets allocation [Revoked]
715:10-21-5. Cash equivalents guidelines [Revoked]
715:10-21-1. Investment of funds [Revoked]
[Source: Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Revoked at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-21-2. Statement of investment policy [Revoked]
[Source: Amended at 25 Ok Reg 566, eff 12-14-07 (emergency); Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08; Revoked at 27 Ok Reg 1282, eff 5-27-10]
715:10-21-3. Investment guidelines [Revoked
[Source: Revoked at 25 Ok Reg 566, eff 12-14-07 (emergency); Revoked at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
715:10-21-4. Portfolio assets allocation [Revoked
[Source: Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Revoked at 25 Ok Reg 566, eff 12-14-07 (emergency); Revoked at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
715:10-21-5. Cash equivalents guidelines [Revoked
[Source: Revoked at 25 Ok Reg 566, eff 12-14-07 (emergency); Revoked at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
Subchapter 23. State and Education Employees Group Health and Dental Insurance Program
715:10-23-1. State and Education Employees Group Health and Dental Insurance Program
715:10-23-2. Monthly health insurance premium supplement paid by the Teachers' Retirement System
715:10-23-3. Participating education employers not enrolled in the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Plan
715:10-23-4. Retired members who return to employment
715:10-23-5. Retired members ineligible for health insurance supplement
715:10-23-1. State and Education Employees Group Health and Dental Insurance Program
Members of Teachers' Retirement who retire or terminate employment with at least ten (10) years of creditable service are eligible to enroll in the State and Education Employees Group Health and Dental Insurance Program. The retiring member must conform to rules and regulations promulgated by the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board, which is the final authority on questions of eligibility for membership and coverage provided by the insurance plan. Questions regarding eligibility for insurance coverage and monthly premiums should be referred to the local school district's health insurance coordinator or the State and Educations Employees Group Insurance Board.
[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)2; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
715:10-23-2. Monthly health insurance premium supplement paid by the Teachers' Retirement System
Teachers' Retirement will pay a monthly health insurance premium supplement for each retired member who is enrolled in the health insurance plan provided by the State and Education Employees Group Health and Dental Insurance plan or in an insurance program provided by a participating education employer who provides health insurance coverage to former employees, provided the retired member had at least ten (10) years of Oklahoma service prior to retirement. The term "participating education employer" for purposes of this subchapter shall have the same meaning as the term "public school" as defined by 70 O.S., Section 17-101. The payment shall be in accordance with 74 O.S., Section 1316.3, as amended, which provides that the supplement paid by Teachers' Retirement shall be the premium rate of the Medicare supplement charged to the retired employees not to exceed an amount between $100 and $105, depending on length of service and the final average salary of the retired member as specified in subsection 4 of Section 1316.3 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 50, eff 10-3-00 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3152, eff 7-12-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2729, eff 7-11-02; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)2; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
715:10-23-3. Participating education employers not enrolled in the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Plan
In accordance with 74 O.S., Section 1316.3, as amended, Teachers' Retirement will pay a monthly health insurance premium supplement to a participating education employer for all retired members enrolled in an insurance program provided to retired members of the employer, provided the retired member had at least ten (10) years of creditable service prior to retirement. For purposes of this section the following shall apply:
(1) The participating employer must notify Teachers' Retirement that a retired member will remain enrolled in the insurance plan provided by the employer.
(2) Each month Teachers' Retirement will provide the participating employer with a list of all retired members qualifying for the health insurance premium payment and a financial officer authorized by the school shall certify the listing is correct.
(3) Teachers' Retirement will remit payment to the participating education employer upon receipt of the certified statement.
(4) The participating education employer will be responsible for collecting additional premiums and remitting the total premium for each member to the health insurance provider.
(5) The participating education employer shall file with Teachers' Retirement at least once each year the monthly premium charged for the medicare supplement insurance plan provided to retired members of the employer's insurance plan. In the event the medicare supplement premium is modified during the school year, the employer shall notify Teachers' Retirement at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the change.
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3091, eff 8-21-03 through 7-14-04 (emergency)2; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 3099, eff 8-12-04]
715:10-23-4. Retired members who return to employment
A retired member who returns to employment in the public schools of Oklahoma and becomes eligible for health insurance coverage as a regular employee of a participating education employer will cease to be eligible for the health insurance supplement paid by Teachers' Retirement for the period of time the member is enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in the participating education employer's group insurance plan. Upon termination of eligibility for coverage as a regular employee, the health insurance premium supplement will be resumed.
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94]
715:10-23-5. Retired members ineligible for health insurance supplement
Retired members who are not enrolled in either the State and Education Employees Group Health Insurance plan or an insurance plan provided by a participating education employer are not eligible for the insurance supplement provided for in 74 O.S., Section 1316.3 as amended. Retired members who for any reason are not receiving monthly retirement benefits from the Teachers' Retirement System are not eligible for the insurance supplement.
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08]
Subchapter 25. Qualified Domestic Order [REVOKED]
715:10-25-1. Definition [REVOKED]
715:10-25-2. Filing a qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
715:10-25-3. Contents of a qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
715 10-25-4. Payment to alternate payee [REVOKED]
715:10-25-5. Termination of a qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
715:10-25-6. Teachers' Retirement not subject to ERISA [REVOKED]
715:10-25-1. Definition [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 869, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-25-2. Filing a qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2598, eff 7-11-08; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 869, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-25-3. Contents of qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 869, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-25-4. Payment to alternate payee [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 869, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-25-5. Termination of a qualified domestic order [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 869, eff 8-1-12]
715:10-25-6. Teachers' Retirement not subject to ERISA [REVOKED]
[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4829, eff 9-17-93 through 7-14-94 (emergency)1; Added at 11 Ok Reg 4251, eff 7-25-94; Revoked at 29 Ok Reg 870, eff 8-1-12]
Last Modified on 01/09/2013