CHAPTER 175

FIREFIGHTER PENSIONS

175.021  Legislative declaration.--

(1)  It is hereby declared by the Legislature that firefighters, as hereinafter defined, perform state and municipal functions; that it is their duty to extinguish fires, to protect life, and to protect property at their own risk and peril; that it is their duty to prevent conflagration and to continuously instruct school personnel, public officials, and private citizens in the prevention of fires and firesafety; that they protect both life and property from local emergencies as defined in s. 252.34(3); and that their activities are vital to the public safety. It is further declared that firefighters employed by special fire control districts serve under the same circumstances and perform the same duties as firefighters employed by municipalities and should therefore be entitled to the benefits available under this chapter. Therefore, the Legislature declares that it is a proper and legitimate state purpose to provide a uniform retirement system for the benefit of firefighters as hereinafter defined and intends, in implementing the provisions of s. 14, Art. X of the State Constitution as they relate to municipal and special district firefighters' pension trust fund systems and plans, that such retirement systems or plans be managed, administered, operated, and funded in such manner as to maximize the protection of the firefighters' pension trust funds. Pursuant to s. 18, Art. VII of the State Constitution, the Legislature hereby determines and declares that the provisions of this act fulfill an important state interest.

(2)  This chapter hereby establishes, for all municipal and special district pension plans existing now or hereafter under this chapter, including chapter plans and local law plans, minimum benefits and minimum standards for the operation and funding of such plans, hereinafter referred to as firefighters' pension trust funds. The minimum benefits and minimum standards set forth in this chapter may not be diminished by local charter, ordinance, or resolution or by special act of the Legislature, nor may the minimum benefits or minimum standards be reduced or offset by any other local, state, or federal law that may include firefighters in its operation, except as provided under s. 112.65.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 1, ch. 79-380; s. 7, ch. 83-334; s. 1, ch. 86-41; s. 12, ch. 93-193; s. 1, ch. 99-1; s. 65, ch. 99-2.

175.032  Definitions.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:

(1)(a)  "Average final compensation" for a full-time firefighter means one-twelfth of the average annual compensation of the 5 best years of the last 10 years of creditable service prior to retirement, termination, or death, or the career average as a full-time firefighter since July 1, 1953, whichever is greater. A year shall be 12 consecutive months or such other consecutive period of time as is used and consistently applied.

(b)  "Average final compensation" for a volunteer firefighter means the average salary of the 5 best years of the last 10 best contributing years prior to change in status to a permanent full-time firefighter or retirement as a volunteer firefighter or the career average of a volunteer firefighter, since July 1, 1953, whichever is greater.

(2)  "Chapter plan" means a separate defined benefit pension plan for firefighters which incorporates by reference the provisions of this chapter and has been adopted by the governing body of a municipality or special district. Except as may be specifically authorized in this chapter, provisions of a chapter plan may not differ from the plan provisions set forth in ss. 175.021-175.341 and 175.361-175.401. Actuarial valuations of chapter plans shall be conducted by the division as provided by s. 175.261(1).

(3)  "Compensation" or "salary" means the fixed monthly remuneration paid a firefighter; where, as in the case of a volunteer firefighter, remuneration is based on actual services rendered, the term means the total cash remuneration received yearly for such services, prorated on a monthly basis.

(a)  A retirement trust fund or plan may use a definition of salary other than the definition in this subsection but only if the monthly retirement income payable to each firefighter covered by the retirement trust fund or plan, as determined under s. 175.162(2)(a) and using such other definition, equals or exceeds the monthly retirement income that would be payable to each firefighter if his or her monthly retirement income were determined under s. 175.162(2)(a) and using the definition in this subsection.

(b)  Any retirement trust fund or plan which now or hereafter meets the requirements of this chapter shall not, solely by virtue of this subsection, reduce or diminish the monthly retirement income otherwise payable to each firefighter covered by the retirement trust fund or plan.

(c)  The member's compensation or salary contributed as employee-elective salary reductions or deferrals to any salary reduction, deferred compensation, or tax-sheltered annuity program authorized under the Internal Revenue Code shall be deemed to be the compensation or salary the member would receive if he or she were not participating in such program and shall be treated as compensation for retirement purposes under this chapter.

(d)  For any person who first becomes a member in any plan year beginning on or after January 1, 1996, compensation for any plan year shall not include any amounts in excess of the Internal Revenue Code s. 401(a)(17) limitation (as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993), which limitation of $150,000 shall be adjusted as required by federal law for qualified government plans and shall be further adjusted for changes in the cost of living in the manner provided by Internal Revenue Code s. 401(a)(17)(B). For any person who first became a member prior to the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 1996, the limitation on compensation shall be not less than the maximum compensation amount that was allowed to be taken into account under the plan as in effect on July 1, 1993, which limitation shall be adjusted for changes in the cost of living since 1989 in the manner provided by Internal Revenue Code s. 401(a)(17)(1991).

(4)  "Creditable service" or "credited service" means the aggregate number of years of service, and fractional parts of years of service, of any firefighter, omitting intervening years and fractional parts of years when such firefighter may not have been employed by the municipality or special fire control district, subject to the following conditions:

(a)  No firefighter will receive credit for years or fractional parts of years of service if he or she has withdrawn his or her contributions to the fund for those years or fractional parts of years of service, unless the firefighter repays into the fund the amount he or she has withdrawn, plus interest determined by the board. The member shall have at least 90 days after his or her reemployment to make repayment.

(b)  A firefighter may voluntarily leave his or her contributions in the fund for a period of 5 years after leaving the employ of the fire department, pending the possibility of being rehired by the same department, without losing credit for the time he or she has participated actively as a firefighter. If the firefighter is not reemployed as a firefighter, with the same department, within 5 years, his or her contributions shall be returned without interest.

(c)  Credited service under this chapter shall be provided only for service as a firefighter, as defined in subsection (8), or for military service and shall not include credit for any other type of service. A municipality may, by local ordinance, or a special fire control district may, by resolution, provide for the purchase of credit for military service prior to employment as well as for prior service as a firefighter for some other employer as long as a firefighter is not entitled to receive a benefit for such other prior service as a firefighter.

(d)  In determining the creditable service of any firefighter, credit for up to 5 years of the time spent in the military service of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be added to the years of actual service if:

1.  The firefighter is in the active employ of an employer immediately prior to such service and leaves a position, other than a temporary position, for the purpose of voluntary or involuntary service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

2.  The firefighter is entitled to reemployment under the provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

3.  The firefighter returns to his or her employment as a firefighter of the municipality or special fire control district within 1 year from the date of release from such active service.

(5)  "Deferred Retirement Option Plan" or "DROP" means a local law plan retirement option in which a firefighter may elect to participate. A firefighter may retire for all purposes of the plan and defer receipt of retirement benefits into a DROP account while continuing employment with his or her employer. However, a firefighter who enters the DROP and who is otherwise eligible to participate shall not thereby be precluded from participating, or continuing to participate, in a supplemental plan in existence on, or created after, the effective date of this act.

(6)  "Division" means the Division of Retirement of the Department of Management Services.

(7)  "Enrolled actuary" means an actuary who is enrolled under Subtitle C of Title III of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and who is a member of the Society of Actuaries or the American Academy of Actuaries.

(8)(a)  "Firefighter" means any person employed solely by a constituted fire department of any municipality or special fire control district who is certified as a firefighter as a condition of employment in accordance with the provisions of s. 633.35 and whose duty it is to extinguish fires, to protect life, or to protect property. However, for purposes of this chapter only, "firefighter" also includes public safety officers who are responsible for performing both police and fire services, who are certified as police officers or firefighters, and who are certified by their employers to the Chief Financial Officer as participating in this chapter prior to October 1, 1979. Effective October 1, 1979, public safety officers who have not been certified as participating in this chapter shall be considered police officers for retirement purposes and shall be eligible to participate in chapter 185. Any plan may provide that the fire chief shall have an option to participate, or not, in that plan.

(b)  "Volunteer firefighter" means any person whose name is carried on the active membership roll of a constituted volunteer fire department or a combination of a paid and volunteer fire department of any municipality or special fire control district and whose duty it is to extinguish fires, to protect life, and to protect property. Compensation for services rendered by a volunteer firefighter shall not disqualify him or her as a volunteer. A person shall not be disqualified as a volunteer firefighter solely because he or she has other gainful employment. Any person who volunteers assistance at a fire but is not an active member of a department described herein is not a volunteer firefighter within the meaning of this paragraph.

(9)  "Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund" means a trust fund, by whatever name known, as provided under s. 175.041, for the purpose of assisting municipalities and special fire control districts in establishing and maintaining a retirement plan for firefighters.

(10)  "Local law municipality" is any municipality in which there exists a local law plan.

(11)  "Local law plan" means a defined benefit pension plan for firefighters, or for firefighters or police officers where included, as described in s. 175.351, established by municipal ordinance, special district resolution, or special act of the Legislature, which enactment sets forth all plan provisions. Local law plan provisions may vary from the provisions of this chapter, provided that required minimum benefits and minimum standards are met. Any such variance shall provide a greater benefit for firefighters. Actuarial valuations of local law plans shall be conducted by an enrolled actuary as provided in s. 175.261(2).

(12)  "Local law special fire control district" is any special fire control district in which there exists a local law plan.

(13)  "Property insurance" means property insurance as defined in s. 624.604 and covers real and personal property within the corporate limits of any municipality, or within the boundaries of any special fire control district, within the state. "Multiple peril" means a combination or package policy that includes both property and casualty coverage for a single premium.

(14)  "Retiree" or "retired firefighter" means a firefighter who has entered retirement status. For the purposes of a plan that includes a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), a firefighter who enters the DROP shall be considered a retiree for all purposes of the plan. However, a firefighter who enters the DROP and who is otherwise eligible to participate shall not thereby be precluded from participating, or continuing to participate, in a supplemental plan in existence on, or created after, the effective date of this act.

(15)  "Retirement" means a firefighter's separation from city or fire district employment as a firefighter with immediate eligibility for receipt of benefits under the plan. For purposes of a plan that includes a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), "retirement" means the date a firefighter enters the DROP.

(16)  "Special fire control district" means a special district, as defined in s. 189.403(1), established for the purposes of extinguishing fires, protecting life, and protecting property within the incorporated or unincorporated portions of any county or combination of counties, or within any combination of incorporated and unincorporated portions of any county or combination of counties. The term does not include any dependent or independent special district, as defined in s. 189.403(2) and (3), respectively, the employees of which are members of the Florida Retirement System pursuant to s. 121.051(1) or (2).

(17)  "Supplemental plan" means a plan to which deposits are made to provide extra benefits for firefighters, or for firefighters and police officers where included under this chapter. Such a plan is an element of a local law plan and exists in conjunction with a defined benefit plan that meets the minimum benefits and minimum standards of this chapter.

(18)  "Supplemental plan municipality" means any local law municipality in which there existed a supplemental plan, of any type or nature, as of December 1, 2000.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 2, ch. 79-380; s. 1, ch. 79-388; s. 1, ch. 81-168; s. 2, ch. 86-41; s. 13, ch. 93-193; s. 918, ch. 95-147; s. 13, ch. 95-154; s. 2, ch. 99-1; s. 1, ch. 2000-159; s. 1, ch. 2002-66; s. 160, ch. 2003-261.

175.041  Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund created; applicability of provisions.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  There shall be established a special fund exclusively for the purpose of this chapter, which in the case of chapter plans shall be known as the "Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund," in each municipality and each special fire control district of this state heretofore or hereafter created which now has or which may hereafter have a constituted fire department or an authorized volunteer fire department, or any combination thereof.

(2)  To qualify as a fire department or volunteer fire department or combination thereof under the provisions of this chapter, the department shall own and use apparatus for the fighting of fires that was in compliance with National Fire Protection Association Standards for Automotive Fire Apparatus at the time of purchase.

(3)  The provisions of this chapter shall apply only to municipalities organized and established pursuant to the laws of the state and to special fire control districts, and said provisions shall not apply to the unincorporated areas of any county or counties except with respect to special fire control districts that include unincorporated areas, nor shall the provisions hereof apply to any governmental entity whose firefighters are eligible to participate in the Florida Retirement System. Special fire control districts that include, or consist exclusively of, unincorporated areas of one or more counties may levy and impose the tax and participate in the retirement programs enabled by this chapter. With respect to the distribution of premium taxes, a single consolidated government consisting of a former county and one or more municipalities, consolidated pursuant to s. 3 or s. (6)(e), Art. VIII of the State Constitution, is also eligible to participate under this chapter. The consolidated government shall notify the division when it has entered into an interlocal agreement to provide fire services to a municipality within its boundaries. The municipality may enact an ordinance levying the tax as provided in s. 175.101. Upon being provided copies of the interlocal agreement and the municipal ordinance levying the tax, the division may distribute any premium taxes reported for the municipality to the consolidated government as long as the interlocal agreement is in effect.

(4)  No municipality shall establish more than one retirement plan for public safety officers which is supported in whole or in part by the distribution of premium tax funds as provided by this chapter or chapter 185, nor shall any municipality establish a retirement plan for public safety officers which receives premium tax funds from both this chapter and chapter 185.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 1, ch. 65-153; ss. 2, 3, ch. 79-380; s. 1, ch. 79-388; s. 14, ch. 93-193; s. 3, ch. 99-1; s. 1, ch. 2002-29.

175.051  Actuarial deficits not state obligation.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, actuarial deficits, if any, arising under this chapter shall not be the obligation of the state.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 4, ch. 99-1.

175.061  Board of trustees; members; terms of office; meetings; legal entity; costs; attorney's fees.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  In each municipality and in each special fire control district there is hereby created a board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund, which shall be solely responsible for administering the trust fund. Effective October 1, 1986, and thereafter:

(a)  The membership of the board of trustees for a chapter plan shall consist of five members, two of whom, unless otherwise prohibited by law, shall be legal residents of the municipality or special fire control district, who shall be appointed by the governing body of the municipality or special fire control district, and two of whom shall be full-time firefighters as defined in s. 175.032 who shall be elected by a majority of the active firefighters who are members of such plan. With respect to any chapter plan or local law plan that, on January 1, 1997, allowed retired firefighters to vote in such elections, retirees may continue to vote in such elections. The fifth member shall be chosen by a majority of the previous four members as provided for herein, and such person's name shall be submitted to the governing body of the municipality or special fire control district. Upon receipt of the fifth person's name, the governing body of the municipality or special fire control district shall, as a ministerial duty, appoint such person to the board of trustees as its fifth member. The fifth member shall have the same rights as each of the other four members appointed or elected as herein provided, shall serve as trustee for a period of 2 years, and may succeed himself or herself in office. Each resident member shall serve as trustee for a period of 2 years, unless sooner replaced by the governing body at whose pleasure he or she shall serve, and may succeed himself or herself as a trustee. Each firefighter member shall serve as trustee for a period of 2 years, unless he or she sooner leaves the employment of the municipality or special fire control district as a firefighter, whereupon a successor shall be chosen in the same manner as an original appointment. Each firefighter may succeed himself or herself in office.

(b)  The membership of boards of trustees for local law plans shall be as follows:

1.  If a municipality or special fire control district has a pension plan for firefighters only, the provisions of paragraph (a) shall apply.

2.  If a municipality has a pension plan for firefighters and police officers, the provisions of paragraph (a) shall apply, except that one member of the board shall be a firefighter as defined in s. 175.032 and one member of the board shall be a police officer as defined in s. 185.02, respectively elected by a majority of the active firefighters or police officers who are members of the plan.

3.  Any board of trustees operating a local law plan on July 1, 1999, which is combined with a plan for general employees shall hold an election of the firefighters, or firefighters and police officers, if included, to determine whether a plan is to be established for firefighters only, or for firefighters and police officers where included. Based on the election results, a new board shall be established as provided in subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2., as appropriate. The municipality or fire control district shall enact an ordinance or resolution to implement the new board by October 1, 1999. The newly established board shall take whatever action is necessary to determine the amount of assets which is attributable to firefighters, or firefighters and police officers where included. Such assets shall include all employer, employee, and state contributions made by or on behalf of firefighters, or firefighters and police officers where included, and any investment income derived from such contributions. All such moneys shall be transferred into the newly established retirement plan, as directed by the board.

With respect to any board of trustees operating a local law plan on June 30, 1986, nothing in this paragraph shall permit the reduction of the membership percentage of firefighters, or of firefighters and police officers where a joint or mixed fund exists.

(c)  Whenever the active firefighter membership of a closed chapter plan or closed local law plan as provided in s. 175.371 falls below 10, an active firefighter member seat may be held by either a retired member or an active firefighter member of the plan who is elected by the active and retired members of the plan. If there are no active or retired firefighters remaining in the plan or capable of serving, the remaining board members may elect an individual to serve in the active firefighter seat. Upon receipt of such person's name, the legislative body of the municipality or special fire control district shall, as a ministerial duty, appoint such person to the board of trustees. This paragraph applies only to those plans that are closed to new members under s. 175.371(2), and does not apply to any other municipality or fire control district having a chapter or local law plan.

(2)  The trustees shall by a majority vote elect from their number a chair and a secretary. The secretary of the board shall keep a complete minute book of the actions, proceedings, or hearings of the board. The trustees shall not receive any compensation as such, but may receive expenses and per diem as provided by Florida law.

(3)  The board of trustees shall meet at least quarterly each year.

(4)  Each board of trustees shall be a legal entity with, in addition to other powers and responsibilities contained herein, the power to bring and defend lawsuits of every kind, nature, and description.

(5)  In any judicial proceeding or administrative proceeding under chapter 120 brought under or pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover the costs thereof, together with reasonable attorney's fees.

(6)  The provisions of this section may not be altered by a participating municipality or special fire control district operating a chapter plan or local law plan under this chapter.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 2, ch. 81-168; s. 3, ch. 86-41; s. 15, ch. 93-193; s. 919, ch. 95-147; s. 5, ch. 99-1; s. 3, ch. 2002-66.

175.071  General powers and duties of board of trustees.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  The board of trustees may:

(a)  Invest and reinvest the assets of the firefighters' pension trust fund in annuity and life insurance contracts of life insurance companies in amounts sufficient to provide, in whole or in part, the benefits to which all of the participants in the firefighters' pension trust fund shall be entitled under the provisions of this chapter and pay the initial and subsequent premiums thereon.

(b)  Invest and reinvest the assets of the firefighters' pension trust fund in:

1.  Time or savings accounts of a national bank, a state bank insured by the Bank Insurance Fund, or a savings, building, and loan association insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or a state or federal chartered credit union whose share accounts are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund.

2.  Obligations of the United States or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by the government of the United States.

3.  Bonds issued by the State of Israel.

4.  Bonds, stocks, or other evidences of indebtedness issued or guaranteed by a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state or organized territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, provided:

a.  The corporation is listed on any one or more of the recognized national stock exchanges or on the National Market System of the NASDAQ Stock Market and, in the case of bonds only, holds a rating in one of the three highest classifications by a major rating service; and

b.  The board of trustees shall not invest more than 5 percent of its assets in the common stock or capital stock of any one issuing company, nor shall the aggregate investment in any one issuing company exceed 5 percent of the outstanding capital stock of that company or the aggregate of its investments under this subparagraph at cost exceed 50 percent of the assets of the fund.

This paragraph shall apply to all boards of trustees and participants. However, in the event that a municipality or special fire control district has a duly enacted pension plan pursuant to, and in compliance with, s. 175.351, and the trustees thereof desire to vary the investment procedures herein, the trustees of such plan shall request a variance of the investment procedures as outlined herein only through a municipal ordinance, special act of the Legislature, or resolution by the governing body of the special fire control district; where a special act, or a municipality by ordinance adopted prior to July 1, 1998, permits a greater than 50-percent equity investment, such municipality shall not be required to comply with the aggregate equity investment provisions of this paragraph. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, nothing in this section may be construed to take away any preexisting legal authority to make equity investments that exceed the requirements of this paragraph. The board of trustees may invest up to 10 percent of plan assets in foreign securities.

(c)  Issue drafts upon the firefighters' pension trust fund pursuant to this act and rules and regulations prescribed by the board of trustees. All such drafts shall be consecutively numbered, be signed by the chair and secretary, and state upon their faces the purpose for which the drafts are drawn. The treasurer or depository of each municipality or special fire control district shall retain such drafts when paid, as permanent vouchers for disbursements made, and no money shall be otherwise drawn from the fund.

(d)  Convert into cash any securities of the fund.

(e)  Keep a complete record of all receipts and disbursements and of the board's acts and proceedings.

(2)  Any and all acts and decisions shall be effectuated by vote of a majority of the members of the board; however, no trustee shall take part in any action in connection with the trustee's own participation in the fund, and no unfair discrimination shall be shown to any individual firefighter participating in the fund.

(3)  The board's action on all claims for retirement under this act shall be final, provided, however, that the rules and regulations of the board have been complied with.

(4)  The secretary of the board of trustees shall keep a record of all persons receiving retirement payments under the provisions of this chapter, in which shall be noted the time when the pension is allowed and when the pension shall cease to be paid. In this record, the secretary shall keep a list of all firefighters employed by the municipality or special fire control district. The record shall show the name, address, and time of employment of such firefighters and when they cease to be employed by the municipality or special fire control district.

(5)  The sole and exclusive administration of, and the responsibilities for, the proper operation of the firefighters' pension trust fund and for making effective the provisions of this chapter are vested in the board of trustees; however, nothing herein shall empower a board of trustees to amend the provisions of a retirement plan without the approval of the municipality or special fire control district. The board of trustees shall keep in convenient form such data as shall be necessary for an actuarial valuation of the firefighters' pension trust fund and for checking the actual experience of the fund.

(6)(a)  At least once every 3 years, the board of trustees shall retain a professionally qualified independent consultant who shall evaluate the performance of any existing professional money manager and shall make recommendations to the board of trustees regarding the selection of money managers for the next investment term. These recommendations shall be considered by the board of trustees at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The date, time, place, and subject of this meeting shall be advertised in the same manner as for any meeting of the board.

(b)  For purposes of this subsection, the term "professionally qualified independent consultant" means a consultant who, based on education and experience, is professionally qualified to evaluate the performance of professional money managers, and who, at a minimum:

1.  Provides his or her services on a flat-fee basis.

2.  Is not associated in any manner with the money manager for the pension fund.

3.  Makes calculations according to the American Banking Institute method of calculating time-weighted rates of return. All calculations must be made net of fees.

4.  Has 3 or more years of experience working in the public sector.

(7)  To assist the board in meeting its responsibilities under this chapter, the board, if it so elects, may:

(a)  Employ independent legal counsel at the pension fund's expense.

(b)  Employ an independent actuary, as defined in s. 175.032(7), at the pension fund's expense.

(c)  Employ such independent professional, technical, or other advisers as it deems necessary at the pension fund's expense.

If the board chooses to use the municipality's or special district's legal counsel or actuary, or chooses to use any of the municipality's or special district's other professional, technical, or other advisers, it must do so only under terms and conditions acceptable to the board.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 1, ch. 65-365; ss. 22, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 81-168; s. 4, ch. 86-41; s. 16, ch. 93-193; s. 920, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 98-134; s. 66, ch. 99-2; s. 17, ch. 99-392; s. 27, ch. 2000-151.

175.081  Use of annuity or insurance policies.--When the board of trustees of any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan purchases annuity or life insurance contracts to provide all or any part of the benefits as provided for by this chapter, the following principles shall be observed:

(1)  Only those firefighters who have been members of the firefighters' pension trust fund for 1 year or more may participate in the insured plan.

(2)  Individual policies shall be purchased only when a group insurance plan is not feasible.

(3)  Each application and policy shall designate the firefighters' pension trust fund as owner of the policy.

(4)  Policies shall be written on an annual premium basis.

(5)  The type of policy shall be one which for the premium paid provides each individual with the maximum retirement benefit at his or her earliest statutory normal retirement age.

(6)  Death benefit, if any, should not exceed:

(a)  One hundred times the estimated normal retirement income, based on the assumption that the present rate of compensation continues without change to normal retirement date, or

(b)  Twice the annual rate of compensation as of the date of termination of service, or

(c)  The single-sum value of the accrued deferred retirement income (beginning at normal retirement date) at date of termination of service, whichever is greatest.

(7)  An insurance plan may provide that the assignment of insurance contract to separating firefighters shall be at least equivalent to the return of the firefighters' contributions used to purchase the contract. An assignment of contract discharges the municipality or special fire control district, as appropriate, from all further obligation to the participant under the plan even though the cash value of such contract may be less than the firefighters' contributions.

(8)  Provisions shall be made, either by issuance of separate policies or otherwise, that the separating firefighter does not receive cash value and other benefits under the policies assigned to him or her which exceed the present value of his or her vested interest under the firefighters' pension trust fund, inclusive of his or her contribution to the plan; the contributions by the state shall not be exhausted faster merely because the method of funding adopted was through insurance companies.

(9)  The firefighter shall have the right at any time to give the board of trustees written instructions designating the primary and contingent beneficiaries to receive death benefits or proceeds and the method of settlement of the death benefit or proceeds, or requesting a change in the beneficiary designation or method of settlement previously made, subject to the terms of the policy or policies on his or her life. Upon receipt of such written instructions, the board of trustees shall take necessary steps to effectuate the designation or change of beneficiary or settlement option.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 4, ch. 81-168; s. 17, ch. 93-193; s. 921, ch. 95-147; s. 6, ch. 99-1.

175.091  Creation and maintenance of fund.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  The firefighters' pension trust fund in each municipality and in each special fire control district shall be created and maintained in the following manner:

(a)  By payment to the fund of the net proceeds of the 1.85-percent excise or other similar tax which may be imposed by the municipality or special fire control district upon fire insurance companies, fire insurance associations, or other property insurers on their gross receipts on premiums from holders of policies, which policies cover real or personal property within the corporate limits of such municipality, in the case of a municipal government, and within the legally defined jurisdiction of the district, in the case of a special fire control district. Whenever a municipality maintains a firefighters' pension trust fund under the provisions of this chapter but is partially contained within the boundaries of a special fire control district, that portion of the 1.85-percent excise, license, or other similar tax which is collected for insurance policies covering property within the jurisdiction of both the municipality and the special fire control district shall be given to the firefighters' pension trust fund of the fire service provider. Remaining revenues collected pursuant to this chapter shall be distributed to the municipality or special fire control district according to the location of the insured property.

(b)  Except as reduced or increased contributions are authorized by subsection (2), by the payment to the fund of 5 percent of the salary of each uniformed firefighter who is a member or duly enrolled in the fire department of any municipality or special fire control district, which 5 percent shall be deducted by the municipality or special fire control district from the compensation due to the firefighter and paid over to the board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund wherein such firefighter is employed. No firefighter shall have any right to the money so paid into the fund except as provided in this chapter.

(c)  By all fines and forfeitures imposed and collected from any firefighter because of the violation of any rule and regulation promulgated by the board of trustees.

(d)  By mandatory payment by the municipality or special fire control district of a sum equal to the normal cost of and the amount required to fund any actuarial deficiency shown by an actuarial valuation as provided in part VII of chapter 112.

(e)  By all gifts, bequests, and devises when donated to the fund.

(f)  By all accretions to the fund by way of interest or dividends on bank deposits, or otherwise.

(g)  By all other sources or income now or hereafter authorized by law for the augmentation of such firefighters' pension trust fund.

(2)  Member contribution rates may be adjusted as follows:

(a)  The employing municipality or special fire control district, by local ordinance or resolution, may elect to make an employee's contributions. However, under no circumstances may a municipality or special fire control district reduce the member contribution to less than one-half of 1 percent of salary.

(b)  Firefighter member contributions may be increased by consent of the members' collective bargaining representative or, if none, by majority consent of firefighter members of the fund to provide greater benefits.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to require adjustment of member contribution rates in effect on the date this act becomes a law, including rates that exceed 5 percent of salary, provided that such rates are at least one-half of 1 percent of salary.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 1, ch. 65-58; s. 1, ch. 67-218; s. 5, ch. 81-168; s. 5, ch. 86-41; s. 18, ch. 93-193; s. 7, ch. 97-96; s. 7, ch. 99-1.

175.101  State excise tax on property insurance premiums authorized; procedure.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  Each municipality or special fire control district in this state described and classified in s. 175.041, having a lawfully established firefighters' pension trust fund or municipal fund or special fire control district fund, by whatever name known, providing pension benefits to firefighters as provided under this chapter, may assess and impose on every insurance company, corporation, or other insurer now engaged in or carrying on, or who shall hereinafter engage in or carry on, the business of property insurance as shown by the records of the Office of Insurance Regulation of the Financial Services Commission an excise tax in addition to any lawful license or excise tax now levied by each of the municipalities or special fire control districts, respectively, amounting to 1.85 percent of the gross amount of receipts of premiums from policyholders on all premiums collected on property insurance policies covering property within the corporate limits of such municipalities or within the legally defined boundaries of special fire control districts, respectively. Whenever the boundaries of a special fire control district that has lawfully established a firefighters' pension trust fund encompass a portion of the corporate territory of a municipality that has also lawfully established a firefighters' pension trust fund, that portion of the tax receipts attributable to insurance policies covering property situated both within the municipality and the special fire control district shall be given to the fire service provider. The agent shall identify the fire service provider on the property owner's application for insurance. Remaining revenues collected pursuant to this chapter shall be distributed to the municipality or special fire control district according to the location of the insured property.

(2)  In the case of multiple peril policies with a single premium for both the property and casualty coverages in such policies, 70 percent of such premium shall be used as the basis for the 1.85-percent tax.

(3)  This excise tax shall be payable annually on March 1 of each year after the passage of an ordinance, in the case of a municipality, or resolution, in the case of a special fire control district, assessing and imposing the tax authorized by this section. Installments of taxes shall be paid according to the provision of s. 624.5092(2)(a), (b), and (c).

This section also applies to any municipality consisting of a single consolidated government which is made up of a former county and one or more municipalities, consolidated pursuant to the authority in s. 3 or s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State Constitution, and to property insurance policies covering property within the boundaries of the consolidated government, regardless of whether the properties are located within one or more separately incorporated areas within the consolidated government, provided the properties are being provided fire protection services by the consolidated government.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 2, ch. 67-218; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 6, ch. 81-168; s. 6, ch. 86-41; s. 23, ch. 87-99; s. 14, ch. 88-206; s. 10, ch. 89-167; s. 19, ch. 93-193; s. 8, ch. 99-1; s. 2, ch. 2002-29; s. 161, ch. 2003-261.

175.111  Certified copy of ordinance or resolution filed; insurance companies' annual report of premiums; duplicate files; book of accounts.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, whenever any municipality passes an ordinance or whenever any special fire control district passes a resolution establishing a chapter plan or local law plan assessing and imposing the taxes authorized in s. 175.101, a certified copy of such ordinance or resolution shall be deposited with the division. Thereafter every insurance company, association, corporation, or other insurer carrying on the business of property insurance on real or personal property, on or before the succeeding March 1 after date of the passage of the ordinance or resolution, shall report fully in writing and under oath to the division and the Department of Revenue a just and true account of all premiums by such insurer received for property insurance policies covering or insuring any real or personal property located within the corporate limits of each such municipality or special fire control district during the period of time elapsing between the date of the passage of the ordinance or resolution and the end of the calendar year. The report shall include the code designation as prescribed by the division for each piece of insured property, real or personal, located within the corporate limits of each municipality and within the legally defined boundaries of each special fire control district. The aforesaid insurer shall annually thereafter, on March 1, file with the Department of Revenue a similar report covering the preceding year's premium receipts, and every such insurer at the same time of making such reports shall pay to the Department of Revenue the amount of the tax hereinbefore mentioned. Every insurer engaged in carrying on such insurance business in the state shall keep accurate books of accounts of all such business done by it within the corporate limits of each such municipality and within the legally defined boundaries of each such special fire control district, and in such manner as to be able to comply with the provisions of this chapter. Based on the insurers' reports of premium receipts, the division shall prepare a consolidated premium report and shall furnish to any municipality or special fire control district requesting the same a copy of the relevant section of that report.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; ss. 12, 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 75-240; s. 20, ch. 93-193; s. 1, ch. 95-250; s. 9, ch. 99-1; s. 6, ch. 2000-355.

175.121  Department of Revenue and Division of Retirement to keep accounts of deposits; disbursements.--For any municipality or special fire control district having a chapter or local law plan established pursuant to this chapter:

(1)  The Department of Revenue shall keep a separate account of all moneys collected for each municipality and each special fire control district under the provisions of this chapter. All moneys so collected must be transferred to the Police and Firefighters' Premium Tax Trust Fund and shall be separately accounted for by the division. The moneys budgeted as necessary to pay the expenses of the division for the daily oversight and monitoring of the firefighters' pension plans under this chapter and for the oversight and actuarial reviews conducted under part VII of chapter 112 are annually appropriated from the interest and investment income earned on the moneys collected for each municipality or special fire control district and deposited in the Police and Firefighters' Premium Tax Trust Fund. Interest and investment income remaining thereafter in the trust fund which is unexpended and otherwise unallocated by law shall revert to the General Revenue Fund on June 30 of each year.

(2)  The Chief Financial Officer shall, on or before July 1 of each year, and at such other times as authorized by the division, draw his or her warrants on the full net amount of money then on deposit in the Police and Firefighters' Premium Tax Trust Fund pursuant to this chapter, specifying the municipalities and special fire control districts to which the moneys must be paid and the net amount collected for and to be paid to each municipality or special fire control district, respectively, subject to the limitation on disbursement under s. 175.122. The sum payable to each municipality or special fire control district is appropriated annually out of the Police and Firefighters' Premium Tax Trust Fund. The warrants of the Chief Financial Officer shall be payable to the respective municipalities and special fire control districts entitled to receive them and shall be remitted annually by the division to the respective municipalities and special fire control districts. In lieu thereof, the municipality or special fire control district may provide authorization to the division for the direct payment of the premium tax to the board of trustees. In order for a municipality or special fire control district and its pension fund to participate in the distribution of premium tax moneys under this chapter, all the provisions shall be complied with annually, including state acceptance pursuant to part VII of chapter 112.

(3)(a)  All moneys not distributed to municipalities and special fire control districts under this section as a result of the limitation on disbursement contained in s. 175.122, or as a result of any municipality or special fire control district not having qualified in any given year, or portion thereof, shall be transferred to the Firefighters' Supplemental Compensation Trust Fund administered by the Department of Revenue, as provided in s. 633.382.

(b)1.  Moneys transferred under paragraph (a) but not needed to support the supplemental compensation program in a given year shall be redistributed pro rata to those participating municipalities and special fire control districts that transfer any portion of their funds to support the supplemental compensation program in that year. Such additional moneys shall be used to cover or offset costs of the retirement plan.

2.  To assist the Department of Revenue, the division shall identify those municipalities and special fire control districts that are eligible for redistribution as provided in s. 633.382(4)(c)2., by listing the municipalities and special fire control districts from which funds were transferred under paragraph (a) and specifying the amount transferred by each.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 74-294; s. 3, ch. 85-61; s. 7, ch. 86-41; s. 21, ch. 93-193; s. 11, ch. 94-259; s. 1449, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-250; s. 10, ch. 99-1; s. 162, ch. 2003-261.

¹175.1215  Police and Firefighters' Premium Tax Trust Fund.--The Police and Firefighters' Premium Tax Trust Fund is created, to be administered by the Division of Retirement of the Department of Management Services. Funds credited to the trust fund, as provided in chapter 95-250, Laws of Florida, or similar legislation, shall be expended for the purposes set forth in that legislation.

History.--s. 1, ch. 95-249.

¹Note.--Also published at s. 185.105.

175.122  Limitation of disbursement.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, any municipality or special fire control district participating in the firefighters' pension trust fund pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, whether under a chapter plan or local law plan, shall be limited to receiving any moneys from such fund in excess of that produced by one-half of the excise tax, as provided for in s. 175.101; however, any such municipality or special fire control district receiving less than 6 percent of its fire department payroll from such fund shall be entitled to receive from such fund the amount determined under s. 175.121, in excess of one-half of the excise tax, not to exceed 6 percent of its fire department payroll. Payroll amounts of members included in the Florida Retirement System shall not be included.

History.--s. 1, ch. 67-217; s. 7, ch. 81-168; s. 22, ch. 93-193; s. 11, ch. 99-1.

175.131  Funds received by municipality or special fire control district; deposit in firefighters' pension trust fund.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, all state and other funds received by any municipality or special fire control district under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited by such municipality or special fire control district immediately, and under no circumstances more than 5 days after receipt, with the board of trustees. In lieu thereof, the municipality or special fire control district may provide authorization to the division for the direct payment of the premium tax to the board of trustees. The board shall deposit such moneys in the Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund immediately, and under no circumstances more than 5 days after receipt. Employee contributions, however, which are withheld by the employer on behalf of an employee member shall be deposited immediately after each pay period with the board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund. Employer contributions shall be deposited at least quarterly.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 8, ch. 81-168; s. 8, ch. 86-41; s. 23, ch. 93-193; s. 12, ch. 99-1.

175.141  Payment of excise tax credit on similar state excise or license tax.--The tax herein authorized to be imposed by each municipality and each special fire control district shall in nowise be in addition to any similar state excise or license tax imposed by part IV of chapter 624, but the payor of the tax hereby authorized shall receive credit therefor on his or her said state excise or license tax and the balance of said state excise or license tax shall be paid to the Department of Revenue as provided by law.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 9, ch. 86-41; s. 24, ch. 93-193; s. 922, ch. 95-147; s. 13, ch. 99-1.

175.151  Penalty for failure of insurers to comply with this act.--If any insurance company, corporation or other insurer fails to comply with the provisions of this act, on or before March 1 of each year as herein provided, the certificate of authority issued to said insurance company, corporation or other insurer to transact business in this state may be canceled and revoked by the Office of Insurance Regulation of the Financial Services Commission, and it is unlawful for any such insurance company, corporation, or other insurer to transact business thereafter in this state unless such insurance company, corporation, or other insurer shall be granted a new certificate of authority to transact any business in this state, in compliance with provisions of law authorizing such certificate of authority to be issued. The division is responsible for notifying the Office of Insurance Regulation regarding any such failure to comply.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 14, ch. 99-1; s. 163, ch. 2003-261.

175.162  Requirements for retirement.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, any firefighter who completes 10 or more years of creditable service as a firefighter and attains age 55, or completes 25 years of creditable service as a firefighter and attains age 52, and who for such minimum period has been a member of the firefighters' pension trust fund operating under a chapter plan or local law plan, is eligible for normal retirement benefits. Normal retirement under the plan is retirement from the service of the municipality or special fire control district on or after the normal retirement date. In such event, payment of retirement income will be governed by the following provisions of this section:

(1)  The normal retirement date of each firefighter will be the first day of the month coincident with or next following the date on which he or she has completed 10 or more years of creditable service and attained age 55 or completed 25 years of creditable service and attained age 52.

(2)(a)  The amount of monthly retirement income payable to a full-time firefighter who retires on or after his or her normal retirement date shall be an amount equal to the number of his or her years of credited service multiplied by 2 percent of his or her average final compensation as a full-time firefighter. However, if current state contributions pursuant to this chapter are not adequate to fund the additional benefits to meet the minimum requirements in this chapter, only such incremental increases shall be required as state moneys are adequate to provide. Such increments shall be provided as state moneys become available.

(b)  The amount of monthly retirement income payable to a volunteer firefighter who retires on or after his or her normal retirement date shall be an amount equal to the number of his or her years of credited service multiplied by 2 percent of his or her average final compensation as a volunteer firefighter.

(3)  The monthly retirement income payable in the event of normal retirement will be payable on the first day of each month. The first payment will be made on the firefighter's normal retirement date, or on the first day of the month coincident with or next following his or her actual retirement, if later, and the last payment will be the payment due next preceding the firefighter's death; except that, in the event the firefighter dies after retirement but before he or she has received retirement benefits for a period of 10 years, the same monthly benefit will be paid to the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as designated by the firefighter for the balance of such 10-year period. If a firefighter continues in the service of the municipality or special fire control district beyond his or her normal retirement date and dies prior to his or her date of actual retirement, without an option made pursuant to s. 175.171 being in effect, monthly retirement income payments will be made for a period of 10 years to a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) designated by the firefighter as if the firefighter had retired on the date on which his or her death occurred.

(4)  Early retirement under the plan is retirement from the service of the municipality or special fire control district, with the consent of the municipality or special fire control district, as of the first day of any calendar month which is prior to the firefighter's normal retirement date but subsequent to the date as of which he or she has both attained the age of 50 years and has been a member of this fund for 10 continuous years. In the event of early retirement, payment of retirement income shall be governed as follows: The monthly amount of retirement income payable to a firefighter who retires prior to his or her normal retirement date shall be in the amount computed as described in subsection (2), taking into account the firefighter's credited service to his or her date of actual retirement and final monthly compensation as of such date, such amount of retirement income to be actuarially reduced to take into account the firefighter's younger age and the earlier commencement of retirement income benefits. The amount of monthly income payable in the event of early retirement will be paid in the same manner as in subsection (3). In no event shall the early retirement reduction exceed 3 percent for each year by which the member's age at retirement preceded the member's normal retirement age, as provided in subsection (1).

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 1, ch. 70-129; s. 9, ch. 81-168; s. 11, ch. 86-41; s. 26, ch. 93-193; s. 923, ch. 95-147; s. 16, ch. 99-1.

175.171  Optional forms of retirement income.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  In lieu of the amount and form of retirement income payable in the event of normal or early retirement as specified in s. 175.162, a firefighter, upon written request to the board of trustees and subject to the approval of the board of trustees, may elect to receive a retirement income or benefit of equivalent actuarial value payable in accordance with one of the following options:

(a)  A retirement income of larger monthly amount, payable to the firefighter for his or her lifetime only.

(b)  A retirement income of a modified monthly amount, payable to the firefighter during the joint lifetime of the firefighter and a joint pensioner designated by the firefighter, and following the death of either of them, 100 percent, 75 percent, 66²/₃ percent, or 50 percent of such monthly amounts payable to the survivor for the lifetime of the survivor.

(c)  Such other amount and form of retirement payments or benefits as, in the opinion of the board of trustees, will best meet the circumstances of the retiring firefighter.

1.  The firefighter upon electing any option of this section will designate the joint pensioner or beneficiary (or beneficiaries) to receive the benefit, if any, payable under the plan in the event of his or her death, and will have the power to change such designation from time to time, but any such change shall be deemed a new election and will be subject to approval by the board of trustees. Such designation will name a joint pensioner or one or more primary beneficiaries where applicable. If a firefighter has elected an option with a joint pensioner or beneficiary and his or her retirement income benefits have commenced, the firefighter may thereafter change the designated joint pensioner or beneficiary, but only if the board of trustees consents to such change and if the joint pensioner last previously designated by the firefighter is alive when the firefighter files with the board of trustees a request for such change.

2.  The consent of a firefighter's joint pensioner or beneficiary to any such change shall not be required.

3.  The board of trustees may request such evidence of the good health of the joint pensioner that is being removed as it may require and the amount of the retirement income payable to the firefighter upon designation of a new joint pensioner shall be actuarially redetermined taking into account the age and sex of the former joint pensioner, the new joint pensioner, and the firefighter. Each such designation will be made in writing on a form prepared by the board of trustees and on completion will be filed with the board of trustees. In the event that no designated beneficiary survives the firefighter, such benefits as are payable in the event of the death of the firefighter subsequent to his or her retirement shall be paid as provided in s. 175.181.

(2)  Retirement income payments shall be made under the option elected in accordance with the provisions of this section and shall be subject to the following limitations:

(a)  If a firefighter dies prior to his or her normal retirement date or early retirement date, whichever first occurs, no retirement benefit will be payable under the option to any person, but the benefits, if any, will be determined under s. 175.201.

(b)  If the designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries) or joint pensioner dies before the firefighter's retirement under the plan, the option elected will be canceled automatically and a retirement income of the normal form and amount will be payable to the firefighter upon retirement as if the election had not been made, unless a new election is made in accordance with the provisions of this section or a new beneficiary is designated by the firefighter prior to retirement and within 90 days after the death of the beneficiary.

(c)  If both the retired firefighter and the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) designated by him or her die before the full payment has been effected under any option providing for payments for a period certain and life thereafter, made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1)(c), the board of trustees may, in its discretion, direct that the commuted value of the remaining payments be paid in a lump sum and in accordance with s. 175.181.

(d)  If a firefighter continues beyond his or her normal retirement date pursuant to the provisions of s. 175.162(1) and dies prior to actual retirement and while an option made pursuant to the provisions of this section is in effect, monthly retirement income payments will be made, or a retirement benefit will be paid, under the option to a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) designated by the firefighter in the amount or amounts computed as if the firefighter had retired under the option on the date on which death occurred.

(3)  No firefighter may make any change in his or her retirement option after the date of cashing or depositing the first retirement check.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 2, ch. 65-58; s. 10, ch. 81-168; s. 12, ch. 86-41; s. 924, ch. 95-147; s. 17, ch. 99-1.

175.181  Beneficiaries.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  Each firefighter may, on a form provided for that purpose, signed and filed with the board of trustees, designate a choice of one or more persons, named sequentially or jointly, as his or her beneficiary (or beneficiaries) to receive the benefit, if any, which may be payable in the event of his or her death; and each designation may be revoked by such firefighter by signing and filing with the board of trustees a new designation-of-beneficiary form.

(2)  If no beneficiary is named in the manner provided by subsection (1), or if no beneficiary designated by the member survives him or her, the death benefit, if any, which may be payable under the plan with respect to such deceased firefighter shall be paid by the board of trustees to the estate of such deceased firefighter, provided that the board of trustees, in its discretion, may direct that the commuted value of the remaining monthly income payments be paid in a lump sum. Any payment made to any person pursuant to this subsection shall operate as a complete discharge of all obligations under the plan with regard to the deceased firefighter and any other persons with rights under the plan and shall not be subject to review by anyone but shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all persons ever interested hereunder.

(3)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the surviving spouse of any pension participant member killed in the line of duty shall not lose survivor retirement benefits if the spouse remarries. The surviving spouse of such deceased member whose benefit terminated because of remarriage shall have the benefit reinstated as of July 1, 1994, at an amount that would have been payable had such benefit not been terminated.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 11, ch. 81-168; s. 4, ch. 94-171; s. 1450, ch. 95-147; s. 18, ch. 99-1; s. 2, ch. 2000-159.

175.191  Disability retirement.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  A firefighter having 10 or more years of credited service or a firefighter who becomes totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty, regardless of length of service, may retire from the service of the municipality or special fire control district under the plan if the firefighter becomes totally and permanently disabled as defined in subsection (2) by reason of any cause other than a cause set out in subsection (3) on or after the effective date of the plan. Such retirement shall herein be referred to as "disability retirement."

(2)  A firefighter will be considered totally disabled if, in the opinion of the board of trustees, he or she is wholly prevented from rendering useful and efficient service as a firefighter; and a firefighter will be considered permanently disabled if, in the opinion of the board of trustees, he or she is likely to remain so disabled continuously and permanently from a cause other than is specified in subsection (3).

(3)  A firefighter will not be entitled to receive any disability retirement income if the disability is a result of:

(a)  Excessive and habitual use by the firefighter of drugs, intoxicants, or narcotics;

(b)  Injury or disease sustained by the firefighter while willfully and illegally participating in fights, riots, or civil insurrections or while committing a crime;

(c)  Injury or disease sustained by the firefighter while serving in any armed forces; or

(d)  Injury or disease sustained by the firefighter after his or her employment has terminated.

(4)  No firefighter shall be permitted to retire under the provisions of this section until he or she is examined by a duly qualified physician or surgeon, to be selected by the board of trustees for that purpose, and is found to be disabled in the degree and in the manner specified in this section. Any firefighter retiring under this section may be examined periodically by a duly qualified physician or surgeon or board of physicians and surgeons, to be selected by the board of trustees for that purpose, to determine if such disability has ceased to exist.

(5)  The benefit payable to a firefighter who retires from the service of a municipality or special fire control district due to total and permanent disability as a direct result of a disability is the monthly income payable for 10 years certain and life for which, if the firefighter's disability occurred in the line of duty, his or her monthly benefit shall be the accrued retirement benefit, but shall not be less than 42 percent of his or her average monthly salary at the time of disability. If after 10 years of service the disability is other than in the line of duty, the firefighter's monthly benefit shall be the accrued normal retirement benefit, but shall not be less than 25 percent of his or her average monthly salary at the time of disability.

(6)  The monthly retirement income to which a firefighter is entitled in the event of his or her disability retirement shall be payable on the first day of the first month after the board of trustees determines such entitlement. However, the monthly retirement income shall be payable as of the date the board determines such entitlement, and any portion due for a partial month shall be paid together with the first payment. The last payment will be, if the firefighter recovers from the disability, the payment due next preceding the date of such recovery or, if the firefighter dies without recovering from the disability, the payment due next preceding his or her death or the 120th monthly payment, whichever is later. In lieu of the benefit payment as provided in this paragraph, a firefighter may select an optional form as provided in s. 175.171. Any monthly retirement income payments due after the death of a disabled firefighter shall be paid to the firefighter's designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries) as provided in ss. 175.181 and 175.201.

(7)  If the board of trustees finds that a firefighter who is receiving a disability retirement income is no longer disabled, as provided herein, the board of trustees shall direct that the disability retirement income be discontinued. "Recovery from disability" as used herein means the ability of the firefighter to render useful and efficient service as a firefighter.

(8)  If the firefighter recovers from disability and reenters the service as a firefighter, service will be deemed to have been continuous, but the period beginning with the first month for which he or she received a disability retirement income payment and ending with the date he or she reentered the service may not be considered as credited service for the purpose of this plan.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 3, ch. 65-58; s. 2, ch. 70-129; s. 12, ch. 81-168; s. 13, ch. 86-41; s. 27, ch. 93-193; s. 925, ch. 95-147; s. 19, ch. 99-1.

175.195  False, misleading, or fraudulent statements made to obtain public retirement benefits prohibited; penalty.--

(1)  It is unlawful for a person to willfully and knowingly make, or cause to be made, or to assist, conspire with, or urge another to make, or cause to be made, any false, fraudulent, or misleading oral or written statement or withhold or conceal material information to obtain any benefit available under a retirement plan receiving funding under this chapter.

(2)(a)  A person who violates subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b)  In addition to any applicable criminal penalty, upon conviction for a violation described in subsection (1), a participant or beneficiary of a pension plan receiving funding under this chapter may, in the discretion of the board of trustees, be required to forfeit the right to receive any or all benefits to which the person would otherwise be entitled under this chapter. For purposes of this paragraph, "conviction" means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld.

History.--s. 20, ch. 99-1.

175.201  Death prior to retirement; refunds of contributions; death benefits.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  If a firefighter dies before being eligible to retire, the heirs, legatees, beneficiaries, or personal representatives of such deceased firefighter shall be entitled to a refund of 100 percent, without interest, of the contributions made to the firefighters' pension trust fund by such deceased firefighter or, in the event an annuity or life insurance contract has been purchased by the board of trustees on such firefighter, then to the death benefits available under such life insurance or annuity contract subject to the limitations on such death benefits set forth in s. 175.081, whichever amount is greater.

(2)  If a firefighter having at least 10 years of credited service dies prior to retirement, his or her beneficiary is entitled to the benefits otherwise payable to the firefighter at early or normal retirement age.

In the event that the death benefit paid by a life insurance company exceeds the limit set forth in s. 175.081, the excess of the death benefit over the limit shall be paid to the firefighters' pension trust fund. However, death benefits provided pursuant to s. 112.191 or any other state or federal law shall not be included in the calculation of death or retirement benefits provided under this chapter.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 13, ch. 81-168; s. 14, ch. 86-41; s. 5, ch. 90-138; s. 28, ch. 93-193; s. 926, ch. 95-147; s. 21, ch. 99-1.

175.211  Separation from service; refunds.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  If a firefighter leaves the service of the municipality or special fire control district before accumulating aggregate time of 10 years toward retirement and before being eligible to retire under the provisions of this chapter, the firefighter shall be entitled to a refund of all of his or her contributions made to the firefighters' pension trust fund after July 1, 1963, without interest, less any disability benefits paid to him or her after July 1, 1963.

(2)  If a firefighter who has been in the service of the municipality or special fire control district for at least 10 years elects to leave his or her accrued contributions, if contributions are required, in the firefighters' pension trust fund, such firefighter upon attaining the age of 50 years may retire at the actuarial equivalent of the amount of such retirement income otherwise payable to him or her, as provided in s. 175.162(4), or upon attaining age 55 years may retire as provided in s. 175.162(1).

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 14, ch. 81-168; s. 29, ch. 93-193; s. 927, ch. 95-147; s. 22, ch. 99-1.

175.221  Lump-sum payment of small retirement income.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, notwithstanding any provisions of the plan to the contrary, if the monthly retirement income payable to any person entitled to benefits hereunder is less than $100, or if the single-sum value of the accrued retirement income is less than $5,000, as of the date of retirement or termination of service, whichever is applicable, the board of trustees, in the exercise of its discretion, may specify that the actuarial equivalent of such retirement income be paid in a lump sum.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 23, ch. 99-1.

175.231  Diseases of firefighters suffered in line of duty; presumption.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, any condition or impairment of health of a firefighter caused by tuberculosis, hypertension, or heart disease resulting in total or partial disability or death shall be presumed to have been accidental and suffered in the line of duty unless the contrary is shown by competent evidence, provided that such firefighter shall have successfully passed a physical examination before entering into such service, which examination failed to reveal any evidence of such condition. This section shall be applicable to all firefighters only with reference to pension and retirement benefits under this chapter.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 15, ch. 81-168; s. 24, ch. 99-1.

175.241  Exemption from tax and execution.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, the pensions, annuities, or other benefits accrued or accruing to any person under any chapter plan or local law plan under the provisions of this chapter and the accumulated contributions and the cash securities in the funds created under this chapter are hereby exempted from any state, county, or municipal tax and shall not be subject to execution or attachment or to any legal process whatsoever, and shall be unassignable.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 25, ch. 99-1.

175.261  Annual report to Division of Retirement; actuarial valuations.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, the board of trustees for every chapter plan and local law plan shall submit the following reports to the division:

(1)  With respect to chapter plans:

(a)  Each year, by February 1, the chair or secretary of the board of trustees of each firefighters' pension trust fund operating under a chapter plan shall file a report with the division which contains:

1.  A statement of whether in fact the municipality or special fire control district is within the provisions of s. 175.041.

2.  An independent audit by a certified public accountant if the fund has $250,000 or more in assets, or a certified statement of accounting if the fund has less than $250,000 in assets, for the most recent plan year, showing a detailed listing of assets and methods used to value them and a statement of all income and disbursements during the year. Such income and disbursements shall be reconciled with the assets at the beginning and end of the year.

3.  A statistical exhibit showing the total number of firefighters on the force, the number included in the retirement plan and the number ineligible, classified according to the reason for their being ineligible, and the number of disabled firefighters and retired firefighters and their beneficiaries receiving pension payments and the amounts of annual retirement income or pension payments being received by them.

4.  A statement of the amount the municipality or special fire control district, or other income source, has contributed to the retirement fund for the most recent plan year and the amount the municipality or special fire control district will contribute to the retirement fund during its current plan year.

5.  If any benefits are insured with a commercial insurance company, the report should include a statement of the relationship of the insured benefits to the benefits provided by this chapter as well as the name of the insurer and information about the basis of premium rates, mortality table, interest rates, and method used in valuing retirement benefits.

(b)  In addition to annual reports provided under paragraph (a), by February 1 of each triennial year, an actuarial valuation of the chapter plan must be made by the division at least once every 3 years, as provided in s. 112.63, commencing 3 years from the last actuarial valuation of the plan or system for existing plans, or commencing 3 years from issuance of the initial actuarial impact statement submitted under s. 112.63 for newly created plans. To that end, the chair of the board of trustees for each firefighters' pension trust fund operating under a chapter plan shall report to the division such data as it needs to complete an actuarial valuation of each fund. The forms for each municipality and special fire control district shall be supplied by the division. The expense of this actuarial valuation shall be borne by the firefighters' pension trust fund established by ss. 175.041 and 175.121. The requirements of this section are supplemental to the actuarial valuations necessary to comply with ss. 218.321 and 218.39.

(2)  With respect to local law plans:

(a)  Each year, on or before March 15, the trustees of the retirement plan shall submit the following information to the division in order for the retirement plan of such municipality or special fire control district to receive a share of the state funds for the then-current calendar year:

1.  A certified copy of each and every instrument constituting or evidencing the plan. This includes the formal plan, including all amendments, the trust agreement, copies of all insurance contracts, and formal announcement material.

2.  An independent audit by a certified public accountant if the fund has $250,000 or more in assets, or a certified statement of accounting if the fund has less than $250,000 in assets, for the most recent plan year, showing a detailed listing of assets and a statement of all income and disbursements during the year. Such income and disbursements must be reconciled with the assets at the beginning and end of the year.

3.  A certified statement listing the investments of the plan and a description of the methods used in valuing the investments.

4.  A statistical exhibit showing the total number of firefighters, the number included in the plan, and the number ineligible classified according to the reasons for their being ineligible, and the number of disabled and retired firefighters and their beneficiaries receiving pension payments and the amounts of annual retirement income or pension payments being received by them.

5.  A certified statement describing the methods, factors, and actuarial assumptions used in determining the cost.

6.  A certified statement by an enrolled actuary showing the results of the latest actuarial valuation of the plan and a copy of the detailed worksheets showing the computations used in arriving at the results.

7.  A statement of the amount the municipality or special fire control district, or other income source, has contributed toward the plan for the most recent plan year and will contribute toward the plan for the current plan year.

When any of the items required hereunder is identical to the corresponding item submitted for a previous year, it is not necessary for the trustees to submit duplicate information if they make reference to the item in the previous year's report.

(b)  In addition to annual reports provided under paragraph (a), an actuarial valuation of the retirement plan must be made at least once every 3 years, as provided in s. 112.63, commencing 3 years from the last actuarial valuation of the plan or system for existing plans, or commencing 3 years from issuance of the initial actuarial impact statement submitted under s. 112.63 for newly created plans. Such valuation shall be prepared by an enrolled actuary, subject to the following conditions:

1.  The assets shall be valued as provided in s. 112.625(7).

2.  The cost of the actuarial valuation must be paid by the individual firefighters' retirement fund or by the sponsoring municipality or special fire control district.

3.  A report of the valuation, including actuarial assumptions and type and basis of funding, shall be made to the division within 3 months after the date of valuation. If any benefits are insured with a commercial insurance company, the report must include a statement of the relationship of the retirement plan benefits to the insured benefits, the name of the insurer, the basis of premium rates, and the mortality table, interest rate, and method used in valuing the retirement benefits.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 4, ch. 65-58; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 17, ch. 81-168; s. 15, ch. 86-41; s. 31, ch. 93-193; s. 928, ch. 95-147; s. 7, ch. 96-324; s. 27, ch. 99-1; s. 42, ch. 2001-266.

175.301  Depository for pension funds.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, all funds of the firefighters' pension trust fund of any chapter plan or local law plan under this chapter may be deposited by the board of trustees with the treasurer of the municipality or special fire control district, acting in a ministerial capacity only, who shall be liable in the same manner and to the same extent as he or she is liable for the safekeeping of funds for the municipality or special fire control district. However, any funds so deposited with the treasurer of the municipality or special fire control district shall be kept in a separate fund by the treasurer or clearly identified as such funds of the firefighters' pension trust fund. In lieu thereof, the board of trustees shall deposit the funds of the firefighters' pension trust fund in a qualified public depository as defined in s. 280.02, which depository with regard to such funds shall conform to and be bound by all of the provisions of chapter 280.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 19, ch. 81-168; s. 17, ch. 86-41; s. 2, ch. 88-185; s. 33, ch. 93-193; s. 930, ch. 95-147; s. 29, ch. 99-1.

175.311  Municipalities, special fire control districts, and boards independent of each other.--In the enforcement and interpretation of the provisions of this chapter for any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, each municipality and each special fire control district shall be independent of any other municipality or special fire control district, and the board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund of each municipality and each special fire control district shall function for the municipality or special fire control district that it serves as trustee. Each board of trustees shall be independent of the municipality or special fire control district for which it serves as board of trustees to the extent required to accomplish the intent, requirements, and responsibilities provided for in this chapter.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 4, ch. 79-380; s. 18, ch. 86-41; s. 34, ch. 93-193; s. 30, ch. 99-1.

175.333  Discrimination in benefit formula prohibited; restrictions regarding designation of joint annuitants.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  No plan shall discriminate in its benefit formula based on color, national origin, sex, or marital status.

(2)(a)  If a plan offers a joint annuitant option and the member selects such option, or if a plan specifies that the member's spouse is to receive the benefits that continue to be payable upon the death of the member, then, in both of these cases, after retirement benefits have commenced, a retired member may change his or her designation of joint annuitant or beneficiary only twice.

(b)  Any retired member who desires to change his or her joint annuitant or beneficiary shall file with the board of trustees of his or her plan a notarized notice of such change either by registered letter or on such form as is provided by the administrator of the plan. Upon receipt of a completed change of joint annuitant form or such other notice, the board of trustees shall adjust the member's monthly benefit by the application of actuarial tables and calculations developed to ensure that the benefit paid is the actuarial equivalent of the present value of the member's current benefit. Nothing herein shall preclude a plan from actuarially adjusting benefits or offering options based upon sex, age, early retirement, or disability.

(3)  Eligibility for coverage under the plan must be based upon length of service or attained age, or both, and benefits must be determined by a nondiscriminatory formula based upon:

(a)  Length of service and compensation; or

(b)  Length of service.

History.--s. 4, ch. 79-380; s. 19, ch. 86-41; s. 932, ch. 95-147; s. 33, ch. 99-1.

175.341  Duties of Division of Retirement; rulemaking authority; investments by State Board of Administration.--

(1)  The division shall be responsible for the daily oversight and monitoring for actuarial soundness of the firefighters' pension plans, whether chapter or local law plans, established under this chapter, for receiving and holding the premium tax moneys collected under this chapter, and, upon determining compliance with the provisions of this chapter, for disbursing those moneys to the firefighters' pension plans. The funds necessary to pay expenses for such administration shall be annually appropriated from the interest and investment income earned on moneys deposited in the trust fund.

(2)  The division has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(3)  The State Board of Administration shall invest and reinvest the moneys in the trust fund collected under this chapter in accordance with ss. 215.44-215.53. Costs incurred by the board in carrying out the provisions of this subsection shall be deducted from the interest and investment income accruing to the trust fund.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 36, ch. 93-193; s. 3, ch. 95-250; s. 11, ch. 98-200; s. 34, ch. 99-1.

175.351  Municipalities and special fire control districts having their own pension plans for firefighters.--For any municipality, special fire control district, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, in order for municipalities and special fire control districts with their own pension plans for firefighters, or for firefighters and police officers, where included, to participate in the distribution of the tax fund established pursuant to s. 175.101, local law plans must meet the minimum benefits and minimum standards set forth in this chapter.

(1)  PREMIUM TAX INCOME.--If a municipality has a pension plan for firefighters, or a pension plan for firefighters and police officers, where included, which in the opinion of the division meets the minimum benefits and minimum standards set forth in this chapter, the board of trustees of the pension plan, as approved by a majority of firefighters of the municipality, may:

(a)  Place the income from the premium tax in s. 175.101 in such pension plan for the sole and exclusive use of its firefighters, or for firefighters and police officers, where included, where it shall become an integral part of that pension plan and shall be used to pay extra benefits to the firefighters included in that pension plan; or

(b)  Place the income from the premium tax in s. 175.101 in a separate supplemental plan to pay extra benefits to firefighters, or to firefighters and police officers where included, participating in such separate supplemental plan.

The premium tax provided by this chapter shall in all cases be used in its entirety to provide extra benefits to firefighters, or to firefighters and police officers, where included. However, local law plans in effect on October 1, 1998, shall be required to comply with the minimum benefit provisions of this chapter only to the extent that additional premium tax revenues become available to incrementally fund the cost of such compliance as provided in s. 175.162(2)(a). When a plan is in compliance with such minimum benefit provisions, as subsequent additional premium tax revenues become available, they shall be used to provide extra benefits. For the purpose of this chapter, "additional premium tax revenues" means revenues received by a municipality or special fire control district pursuant to s. 175.121 that exceed that amount received for calendar year 1997 and the term "extra benefits" means benefits in addition to or greater than those provided to general employees of the municipality. Local law plans created by special act before May 23, 1939, shall be deemed to comply with this chapter.

(2)  ADOPTION OR REVISION OF A LOCAL LAW PLAN.--No retirement plan or amendment to a retirement plan shall be proposed for adoption unless the proposed plan or amendment contains an actuarial estimate of the costs involved. No such proposed plan or proposed plan change shall be adopted without the approval of the municipality, special fire control district, or, where permitted, the Legislature. Copies of the proposed plan or proposed plan change and the actuarial impact statement of the proposed plan or proposed plan change shall be furnished to the division prior to the last public hearing thereon. Such statement shall also indicate whether the proposed plan or proposed plan change is in compliance with s. 14, Art. X of the State Constitution and those provisions of part VII of chapter 112 which are not expressly provided in this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision, only those local law plans created by special act of legislation prior to May 23, 1939, shall be deemed to meet the minimum benefits and minimum standards only in this chapter.

(3)  Notwithstanding any other provision, with respect to any supplemental plan municipality:

(a)  Section 175.032(3)(a) shall not apply, and a local law plan and a supplemental plan may continue to use their definition of compensation or salary in existence on the effective date of this act.

(b)  Section 175.061(1)(b) shall not apply, and a local law plan and a supplemental plan shall continue to be administered by a board or boards of trustees numbered, constituted, and selected as the board or boards were numbered, constituted, and selected on December 1, 2000.

(c)  The election set forth in paragraph (1)(b) shall be deemed to have been made.

(4)  The retirement plan setting forth the benefits and the trust agreement, if any, covering the duties and responsibilities of the trustees and the regulations of the investment of funds must be in writing, and copies thereof must be made available to the participants and to the general public.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 5, ch. 79-380; s. 21, ch. 81-168; s. 47, ch. 83-217; s. 20, ch. 86-41; s. 37, ch. 93-193; s. 933, ch. 95-147; s. 35, ch. 99-1; s. 4, ch. 2002-66.

175.361  Termination of plan and distribution of fund.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, the plan may be terminated by the municipality or special fire control district. Upon termination of the plan by the municipality or special fire control district for any reason or because of a transfer, merger, or consolidation of governmental units, services, or functions as provided in chapter 121, or upon written notice by the municipality or special fire control district to the board of trustees that contributions under the plan are being permanently discontinued, the rights of all employees to benefits accrued to the date of such termination and the amounts credited to the employees' accounts are nonforfeitable. The fund shall be apportioned and distributed in accordance with the following procedures:

(1)  The board of trustees shall determine the date of distribution and the asset value to be distributed, after taking into account the expenses of such distribution.

(2)  The board of trustees shall determine the method of distribution of the asset value, that is, whether distribution shall be by payment in cash, by the maintenance of another or substituted trust fund, by the purchase of insured annuities, or otherwise, for each firefighter entitled to benefits under the plan as specified in subsection (3).

(3)  The board of trustees shall apportion the asset value as of the date of termination in the manner set forth in this subsection, on the basis that the amount required to provide any given retirement income shall mean the actuarially computed single-sum value of such retirement income, except that if the method of distribution determined under subsection (2) involves the purchase of an insured annuity, the amount required to provide the given retirement income shall mean the single premium payable for such annuity.

(a)  Apportionment shall first be made in respect of each retired firefighter receiving a retirement income hereunder on such date, each person receiving a retirement income on such date on account of a retired (but since deceased) firefighter, and each firefighter who has, by such date, become eligible for normal retirement but has not yet retired, in the amount required to provide such retirement income, provided that, if such asset value is less than the aggregate of such amounts, such amounts shall be proportionately reduced so that the aggregate of such reduced amounts will be equal to such asset value.

(b)  If there is any asset value remaining after the apportionment under paragraph (a), apportionment shall next be made in respect of each firefighter in the service of the municipality or special fire control district on such date who has completed at least 10 years of credited service, in the firefighters' pension trust fund for at least 10 years, and who is not entitled to an apportionment under paragraph (a), in the amount required to provide the actuarial equivalent of the accrued normal retirement income, based on the firefighter's credited service and earnings to such date, and each former participant then entitled to a benefit under the provisions of s. 175.211 who has not by such date reached his or her normal retirement date, in the amount required to provide the actuarial equivalent of the accrued normal retirement income to which he or she is entitled under s. 175.211; provided that, if such remaining asset value is less than the aggregate of the amounts apportioned hereunder, such latter amounts shall be proportionately reduced so that the aggregate of such reduced amounts will be equal to such remaining asset value.

(c)  If there is any asset value after the apportionments under paragraphs (a) and (b), apportionment shall lastly be made in respect of each firefighter in the service of the municipality or special fire control district on such date who is not entitled to an apportionment under paragraphs (a) and (b) in the amount equal to the firefighter's total contributions to the plan to date of termination; provided that, if such remaining asset value is less than the aggregate of the amounts apportioned hereunder, such latter amounts shall be proportionately reduced so that the aggregate of such reduced amounts will be equal to such remaining asset value.

(d)  In the event that there is asset value remaining after the full apportionment specified in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), such excess shall be returned to the municipality or special fire control district, less return to the state of the state's contributions, provided that, if the excess is less than the total contributions made by the municipality or special fire control district and the state to date of termination of the plan, such excess shall be divided proportionately to the total contributions made by the municipality or special fire control district and the state.

(4)  The board of trustees shall distribute, in accordance with the manner of distribution determined under subsection (2), the amounts apportioned under subsection (3).

If, after a period of 24 months after the date on which the plan terminated or the date on which the board received written notice that the contributions thereunder were being permanently discontinued, the municipality or special fire control district or the board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund affected has not complied with all the provisions in this section, the division shall effect the termination of the fund in accordance with this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-249; s. 5, ch. 65-58; s. 22, ch. 81-168; s. 48, ch. 83-217; s. 21, ch. 86-41; s. 38, ch. 93-193; s. 934, ch. 95-147; s. 36, ch. 99-1.

175.371  Transfer to another state retirement system; benefits payable.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter:

(1)  Any firefighter who has a vested right to benefits under a pension plan created pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and who elects to participate in another state retirement system may not receive a benefit under the provisions of the latter retirement system for any year's service for which benefits are paid under the provisions of the pension plan created pursuant to this chapter.

(2)  When every active participant in any pension plan created pursuant to this chapter elects to transfer to another state retirement system, the pension plan created pursuant to this chapter shall be terminated and the assets distributed in accordance with s. 175.361. If some participants in a pension plan created pursuant to this chapter elect to transfer to another state retirement system and other participants elect to remain in the existing plan created pursuant to this chapter, the plan created pursuant to this chapter shall continue to receive state premium tax moneys until fully funded. If the plan is fully funded at a particular valuation date and not fully funded at a later valuation date, the plan shall resume receipt of state premium tax moneys until the plan is once again fully funded. "Fully funded" means that the present value of all benefits, accrued and projected, is less than the available assets and the present value of future member contributions and future plan sponsor contributions on an actuarial entry age cost funding basis. Effective May 31, 1998, for plans discussed herein, the plan shall remain in effect until the final benefit payment has been made to the last participant or beneficiary and shall then be terminated in accordance with s. 175.361.

History.--s. 22, ch. 86-41; s. 37, ch. 99-1; s. 5, ch. 2002-66.

175.381  Applicability.--This act shall apply to all municipalities, special fire control districts, chapter plans, local law municipalities, local law special fire control districts, or local law plans presently existing or to be created pursuant to this chapter. Those plans presently existing pursuant to s. 175.351 and not in compliance with the provisions of this act must comply no later than December 31, 1999. However, the plan sponsor of any plan established by special act of the Legislature shall have until July 1, 2000, to comply with the provisions of this act, except as otherwise provided in this act with regard to establishment and election of board members. The provisions of this act shall be construed to establish minimum standards and minimum benefit levels, and nothing contained in this act or in chapter 175 shall operate to reduce presently existing rights or benefits of any firefighter, directly, indirectly, or otherwise.

History.--s. 23, ch. 86-41; s. 38, ch. 99-1.

175.401  Retiree health insurance subsidy.--For any municipality, special fire control district, chapter plan, local law municipality, local law special fire control district, or local law plan under this chapter, under the broad grant of home rule powers under the Florida Constitution and chapter 166, municipalities have the authority to establish and administer locally funded health insurance subsidy programs. In addition, special fire control districts may, by resolution, establish and administer locally funded health insurance subsidy programs. Pursuant thereto:

(1)  PURPOSE.--The purpose of this section is to allow municipalities and special fire control districts the option to use premium tax moneys, as provided for under this chapter, to establish and administer health insurance subsidy programs which will provide a monthly subsidy payment to retired members of any firefighters' pension trust fund system or plan as provided under this chapter, or to beneficiaries who are spouses or financial dependents entitled to receive benefits under such a plan, in order to assist such retired members or beneficiaries in paying the costs of health insurance.

(2)  RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDY TRUST FUNDS; ESTABLISHMENT AND TERMINATION.--

(a)  Any municipality or special fire control district having a firefighters' pension trust fund system or plan as provided under this chapter may, in its discretion, establish by ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, a trust fund to be known as the firefighters' retiree health insurance subsidy trust fund. This fund may be a separate account established for such purpose in the existing firefighters' pension fund, provided that all funds deposited in such account are segregated from, and not commingled with, pension funds or other public moneys and that the account otherwise conforms to the requirements of subsection (8). The trust fund shall be used to account for all moneys received and disbursed pursuant to this section.

(b)  Prior to the second reading of the ordinance before the municipal legislative body, or of the resolution before the governing body of the special fire control district, an actuarial valuation must be performed by an enrolled actuary as provided in s. 112.63, and copies of the valuation and the proposed implementing ordinance or resolution shall be furnished to the division.

(c)  The subsidy program may, at the discretion of the municipal governing body, be permanently discontinued by municipal ordinance, and at the discretion of the governing body of a special fire control district may be permanently discontinued by resolution, at any time, subject to the requirements of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, in the same manner and subject to the same conditions established for plan termination and fund distribution under s. 175.361.

(3)  FUNDING.--Trust funds established pursuant to this section shall be funded in the following manner:

(a)  By payment to the fund of an amount equivalent to one-half of the net increase over the previous tax year in the premium tax funds provided for in this chapter, said amount to be established in the implementing ordinance or resolution.

(b)  By no less than one-half of 1 percent of the base salary of each firefighter, for so long as the firefighter is employed and covered by a pension plan established pursuant to this chapter. The municipality or special fire control district, with approval of the board of trustees, may increase member contributions if needed to fund benefits greater than the minimums established in this section.

(c)  By payment by the municipality or special fire control district, on at least a quarterly basis, of whatever sum is determined necessary to maintain the actuarial soundness of the fund in accordance with s. 112.64.

Such contributions and payments shall be submitted to the board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund, or the plan trustees in the case of local law plans established under s. 175.351, and deposited in the firefighters' retiree health insurance subsidy trust fund, in the same manner and subject to the same time constraints as provided under s. 175.131.

(4)  ELIGIBILITY FOR RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDY.--A person who has contributed to the retiree health insurance subsidy trust fund and retires under a firefighters' pension trust fund system or plan as provided under this chapter, including any local law plan as provided under s. 175.351, or a beneficiary who is a spouse or financial dependent entitled to receive benefits under such a plan, is eligible for health insurance subsidy payments provided under this section. However, the fund, with approval of the board of trustees and approval of the municipality or special fire control district, may provide coverage to retirees and beneficiaries when the retirees have not contributed to the fund as provided in subsection (3). Payment of the retiree health insurance subsidy shall be made only after coverage for health insurance for the retiree or beneficiary has been certified in writing to the board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund.

(5)  RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDY AMOUNT.--Beginning on the effective date established in the implementing ordinance or resolution, each eligible retiree, or beneficiary who is a spouse or financial dependent thereof, shall receive a monthly retiree health insurance subsidy payment equal to the aggregate number of years of service, as defined in s. 175.032, completed at the time of retirement multiplied by an amount determined in the implementing ordinance or resolution, but no less than $3 for each year of service. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the plan sponsor from establishing, in the implementing ordinance or resolution, a cap of no less than 30 years upon the number of years' service for which credit will be given toward a health insurance subsidy or a maximum monthly subsidy amount.

(6)  PAYMENT OF RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDY.--Beginning on the effective date established in the implementing ordinance or resolution, any monthly retiree health insurance subsidy amount due and payable under this section shall be paid to retired members, or their eligible beneficiaries, by the board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund, or the plan trustees in the case of local law plans established under s. 175.351, in the same manner as provided by s. 175.071(1)(c) for drafts upon the pension fund.

(7)  INVESTMENT OF THE TRUST FUND.--The trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund, or the plan trustees in the case of local law plans established under s. 175.351, are hereby authorized to invest and reinvest the funds of the firefighters' retiree health insurance subsidy trust fund in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as apply hereunder to the investment of firefighters' pension funds under s. 175.071.

(8)  DEPOSIT OF HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDY FUNDS.--All funds of the health insurance subsidy fund may be deposited by the board of trustees with the treasurer of the municipality or special fire control district, acting in a ministerial capacity only, who shall be liable in the same manner and to the same extent as he or she is liable for the safekeeping of funds for the municipality or special fire control district. Any funds so deposited shall be segregated by the treasurer in a separate fund, clearly identified as funds of the health insurance subsidy fund. In lieu thereof, the board of trustees shall deposit the funds of the health insurance subsidy fund in a qualified public depository as defined in s. 280.02, which shall conform to and be bound by the provisions of chapter 280 with regard to such funds. In no case shall the funds of the health insurance subsidy fund be deposited in any financial institution, brokerage house trust company, or other entity that is not a public depository as provided by s. 280.02.

(9)  SEPARATION FROM SERVICE; REFUNDS.--Any firefighter who terminates employment with a municipality or special fire control district having a retiree health insurance subsidy trust fund system or plan as provided under this section shall be entitled to a refund of all employee contributions he or she made to that trust fund, without interest, regardless of whether the firefighter has vested for purposes of retirement. Any firefighter who has vested for purposes of retirement in the service of the municipality or special fire control district, and has contributed to the firefighters' retiree health insurance subsidy trust fund for so long as he or she was eligible to make such contributions, may, in his or her discretion, elect to leave his or her accrued contributions in the fund, whereupon, such firefighter shall, upon retiring and commencing to draw retirement benefits, receive a health insurance subsidy based upon his or her aggregate number of years of service, as defined in s. 175.032.

(10)  ADMINISTRATION OF SYSTEM; ACTUARIAL VALUATIONS; AUDITS; RULES; ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.--The board of trustees of the firefighters' pension trust fund, or the plan trustees in the case of local law plans established under s. 175.351, shall be solely responsible for administering the health insurance subsidy trust fund. Pursuant thereto:

(a)  As part of its administrative duties, no less frequently than every 3 years, the board shall have an actuarial valuation of the firefighters' retiree health insurance subsidy trust fund prepared as provided in s. 112.63 by an enrolled actuary, covering the same reporting period or plan year used for the firefighters' pension plan, and shall submit a report of the valuation, including actuarial assumptions and type and basis of funding, to the division.

(b)  By February 1 of each year, the trustees shall file a report with the division, containing an independent audit by a certified public accountant if the fund has $250,000 or more in assets, or a certified statement of accounting if the fund has less than $250,000 in assets, for the most recent plan year, showing a detailed listing of assets and methods used to value them and a statement of all income and disbursements during the year. Such income and disbursements shall be reconciled with the assets at the beginning of and end of the year.

(c)  The trustees may adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary for the effective and efficient administration of this section.

(d)  At the discretion of the plan sponsor, the cost of administration may be appropriated from the trust fund or paid directly by the plan sponsor.

(11)  BENEFITS.--Subsidy payments shall be payable under the firefighters' retiree health insurance subsidy program only to participants in the program or their beneficiaries. Such subsidy payments shall not be subject to assignment, execution, or attachment or to any legal process whatsoever, and shall be in addition to any other benefits to which eligible recipients are entitled under any workers' compensation law, pension law, collective bargaining agreement, municipal or county ordinance, or any other state or federal statute.

(12)  DISTRIBUTION OF PREMIUM TAXES; COMPLIANCE REQUIRED.--Premium tax dollars for which spending authority is granted under this section shall be distributed from the Police and Firefighters' Premium Tax Trust Fund and remitted annually to municipalities and special fire control districts in the same manner as provided under this chapter for firefighters' pension funds. Once a health insurance subsidy plan has been implemented by a municipality or special fire control district under this section, in order for the municipality or special fire control district to participate in the distribution of premium tax dollars authorized under this section, all provisions of this section, including state acceptance pursuant to part VII of chapter 112, shall be complied with, and said premium tax dollars may be withheld for noncompliance.

History.--s. 1, ch. 92-51; s. 39, ch. 93-193; s. 12, ch. 94-259; s. 1451, ch. 95-147; s. 4, ch. 95-250; s. 40, ch. 99-1.

175.411  Optional participation.--A municipality or special fire control district may revoke its participation under this chapter by rescinding the legislative act, ordinance, or resolution which assesses and imposes the taxes authorized in s. 175.101, and by furnishing a certified copy of such legislative act, ordinance, or resolution to the division. Thereafter, the municipality or special fire control district shall be prohibited from participating under this chapter, and shall not be eligible for future premium tax moneys. Premium tax moneys previously received shall continue to be used for the sole and exclusive benefit of firefighters, or firefighters and police officers where included, and no amendment, legislative act, ordinance, or resolution shall be adopted which shall have the effect of reducing the then-vested accrued benefits of the firefighters, retirees, or their beneficiaries. The municipality or special fire control district shall continue to furnish an annual report to the division as provided in s. 175.261. If the municipality or special fire control district subsequently terminates the defined benefit plan, they shall do so in compliance with the provisions of s. 175.361.

History.--s. 81, ch. 99-1.