Source: https://www.ecode360.com/6540134
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 08:24:14+00:00

Document:
§ 45-2 Participation in plan.
§ 45-7 Termination of employment.
§ 45-10 Amendment and termination.
§ 45-11 Funding standard requirements.
§ 45-18 Improvement of benefits authorized.
§ 45-20 Credit for prior service.
§ 45-21 Payment of obligations.
§ 45-24 Filing of provisions; effective date.
Manager — See Ch. 20.
Police Department — See Ch. 37.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Art. I, Police Pension Plan, adopted 3-1-1965 by Ord. No. 355, as amended. Ordinance No. 939 also provided that the plan be effective 11-1-2001.
As of any given date, the benefit determined under § 45-4B calculated on the basis of final monthly average salary as of the date of determination and multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the participant's aggregate service determined as of such date and the denominator of which shall be the projected aggregate service of the participant as if the participant continues in employment until attainment of normal retirement age. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event shall the fraction exceed 1.0. The accrued benefit shall include any service increment benefit determined pursuant to § 45-4D attributable to the participant's aggregate service as of the determination date. The accrued benefit shall not exceed the maximum limitation, determined as of the date of computation, provided under § 45-4G. All accrued benefits are subject to all applicable limitations, reductions, offsets, and actuarial adjustments provided pursuant to the terms of the plan prior to the actual payment thereof.
The total amount contributed by any participant to this fund or its predecessor by way of payroll deduction or otherwise, plus interest credited at 3% per annum. Interest shall be credited in the form of a compound interest rate from the midpoint of the plan year during which the contributions were paid through the date that a distribution of accumulated contributions under § 45-6D or 45-7B shall be paid or payment of benefits shall commence.
The person, partnership, association or corporation which at any given time is serving as actuary, provided that such actuary must be an approved actuary as defined in the Act.
The total period or periods of the participant's employment with the employer, whether or not interrupted. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, should any such participant receive a distribution of accumulated contributions with respect to a period of employment for which employee contributions are required, such period of employment shall not be included in aggregate service thereafter unless, at the commencement of the next period of employment, the participant repays to the fund the amount of such distribution with interest. For purposes of this definition, interest shall accrue as of the date the employee receives a distribution of accumulated contributions and shall be computed at the same rate and in the same manner as described in the definition of "accumulated contributions." Aggregate service shall be calculated in completed years and shall not include any period of a voluntary leave of absence without pay.
The eligible children are registered at an accredited institution of higher learning and are carrying a minimum course load of seven credit hours per semester.
The Board of Commissioners of the Township of Wilkins.
The person designated by the Township who has the primary responsibility for the execution of the administrative affairs for the plan.
The Police Pension Committee as determined pursuant to § 45-8B.
The total remuneration of the employee, whether salary or hourly wages, including overtime pay, holiday pay, longevity pay and any other form of compensation paid by the employer for police services rendered. Compensation shall be limited on an annual basis to the amount specified for government plans pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(17), as adjusted under Code Section 415(d).
The date when a participant is determined by the plan administrator to be incapacitated due to total and permanent disability or the date when the participant's employment terminates due to such total and permanent disability, if later.
The Township of Wilkins, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Any period of voluntary or involuntary military service with the Armed Forces of the United States of America, not to exceed a total of three years, which occurred prior to the date on which a participant first became employed as an employee of the employer, provided that the participant shall purchase such credit and that such participant is not entitled to receive, eligible to receive or is receiving retirement benefits for such military service under a retirement system administered and wholly or partially paid for by any other governmental agency except military retirement pay earned by a combination of active and nonactive duty with a Reserve or National Guard component of the armed forces which is payable upon the attainment of a specified age and period of service under 10 U.S.C. § 67 (relating to retired pay for nonregular service). The purchase price for such service shall be computed by multiplying the average normal cost rate for the plan as certified by the Public Employee Retirement Commission and not to exceed 10% times the participant's average annual rate of compensation during the first three years of employment and multiplying the result times the number of years and fractions thereof being purchased. Interest shall be paid at a rate of 4.75%, compounded annually from the first date of employment to the date of payment.
Employment shall not mean, for purposes of determining aggregate service: Any period of disability for a participant who was disabled as a result of a non-service-related disability.
The average monthly salary earned by the participant and paid by the employer during the final 36 months immediately preceding termination of active employment. Salary shall include the regular gross pay of the employee, whether salary or hourly wages, including, overtime pay, holiday pay, longevity pay and other types of additions to compensation by the employer for police services rendered. Salary shall exclude for this purpose any single sum or extraordinary payments made which are not directly attributable to active employment during the averaging period, including but not limited to payment for accumulated sick leave, payment of a longevity bonus, or payment of a back pay damage award.
Final monthly average salary shall be calculated by taking into account only those periods during which an employee receives salary, as that term is defined in this definition. Therefore, for example, the final monthly average salary for a participant who receives disability benefits from this plan or who is voluntarily or involuntarily serving in the United States Armed Forces during the final 36 months of aggregate service shall be based on the period during which the employee last received salary (as defined in Subsection A) from the employer.
The last month of basic salary before the date of death.
The date on which the participant has completed 25 years of aggregate service with the employer and has attained age 55.
An employee who has met the eligibility requirements to participate in the plan as provided in § 45-2A and who has not for any reason ceased to be a participant hereunder.
The plan set forth herein, as amended from time to time and designated as the "Township of Wilkins Police Pension Plan."
November 1, 2001, the date upon which this amendment and restatement of the plan becomes effective.
The amount calculated pursuant to § 45-4D on behalf of a participant for each completed year of service in excess of 25 years, not to exceed $100.
A condition of physical or mental impairment due to which a participant is unable to perform the usual and customary duties of employment and which is reasonably expected to continue to be permanent for the remainder of the participant's lifetime. For purposes of this definition and § 45-5, a condition shall not be treated as a total and permanent disability unless such condition is a direct result of and occurs in the line of duty of employment. Therefore, an employee whose physical or mental impairment does not occur in the line of duty or which is the result of alcoholism, addiction to narcotics, perpetration of a felonious criminal activity or is willfully self-inflicted is not entitled to receive disability benefits under the plan.
Eligibility requirements. Each employee who is employed as a regular, full-time permanent member of the Police Department of the employer shall participate herein as of the date on which such employee's employment first commences or recommences, provided all prerequisites to participation under this plan shall have been fulfilled, including but not limited to completion of all forms required by the plan administrator. Each employee who was a participant in the plan on the day prior to the restatement date shall continue to be a participant on and after the restatement date subject to the terms and conditions of the plan as set forth herein.
Participation requirements. The Board shall furnish the plan administrator with written notification of the appointment of any new full-time permanent employee who is eligible for participation hereunder. Each participant hereunder shall be required to make contributions to the plan, as provided in § 45-3A hereof, and shall execute and complete any enrollment or application forms as required by the plan administrator.
Change in status. A participant who remains in the service of the employer but ceases to be an employee eligible for participation hereunder or ceases or fails to make any contributions which are required as a condition of participation hereunder shall have no further benefit accruals occur until the individual again qualifies as a participant hereunder eligible to resume such accrual of benefits.
Participant contributions. Each participant shall, as a requirement of participation, pay regular contributions to the pension fund in an amount equal to 5% of the participant's compensation. Each participant shall complete the necessary forms to authorize the payment of participant contributions by way of payroll deduction, if necessary.
Reduction of participant contributions. Notwithstanding the preceding Subsection A, if an actuarial study performed by the actuary shows that the condition of the pension fund is such that payments into the pension fund by participants may be reduced below the minimum percentages prescribed in Subsection A or may be eliminated, and that if such payments are reduced or eliminated, contributions by the employer will not be required to keep the pension fund actuarially sound, the employer may, by ordinance or resolution, reduce or eliminate payments into the pension fund by participants.
State aid. General municipal pension system state aid or any other amount of state aid received by the employer in accordance with the Act from the commonwealth may be deposited into the pension fund governed by this plan in amounts determined by the Board and shall be used to reduce the amount of the minimum municipal obligation of the employer.
Employer reversion. At no time shall it be possible for the plan assets to be used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than for the exclusive benefit of the participants and their beneficiaries, including payment of any reasonable plan expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any contributions made by the employer may be returned to the employer if the contribution was made due to a mistake and the contribution is returned within one year of the date on which the discovery of the mistaken payment of the contribution was made or reasonably should have been made or the plan is terminated, as provided in § 45-10.
Normal retirement benefit. Each participant who shall become entitled to a benefit pursuant to Subsection A shall receive a benefit paid monthly in an amount equal to 50% of the participant's final monthly average salary as determined herein.
Late retirement. A participant may continue in employment beyond the attainment of normal retirement age subject to the employer's rules and regulations regarding retirement age. If a participant who has met the requirements of Subsection A continues in employment beyond normal retirement age, there shall be no retirement benefits paid until employment ceases and the participant's retirement actually begins. The retirement benefit of a participant who continues employment after attainment of normal retirement age shall be calculated in accordance with Subsection B on the basis of the final monthly average salary as of such participant's actual retirement and shall commence on the participant's late retirement date.
Service increment benefit. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, each participant who shall retire upon completion of the 26th anniversary of aggregate service or thereafter may be entitled to receive a monthly service increment benefit. Such service increment benefit shall only be available to a participant who shall retire on a retirement date after attainment of normal retirement age and whose aggregate service for purposes of this subsection shall only include periods of time when the participant actively renders service in employment and shall not include any period of time during which the participant received a disability benefit under the terms of this plan or was not otherwise in active employment. Such service increment benefit shall be an amount equal to $100 and shall be paid monthly in addition to the amount of normal retirement benefit calculated pursuant to Subsection B.
Payment of benefits. Retirement benefit payments shall be payable as of the first day of the month coincident with or next following, the participant's retirement date and the first day of each month thereafter during the participant's lifetime. A participant must complete an application for benefit in the manner prescribed by the plan administrator and deliver such application to the plan administrator at least 30 days prior to the date on which benefit payments shall commence. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no retirement benefit payments nor any other payments shall be due or payable on or before the date that is 30 days after the date the plan administrator receives the application for benefits. Payment of benefits hereunder shall cease as of the date of death of the participant.
Cost-of-living adjustments. Each participant who shall retire and receive a retirement benefit determined pursuant to Subsection B hereunder shall be entitled to receive annual cost-of-living increases to the amount of benefit payable to such participant under Subsection B. Such cost-of-living increases shall not exceed any of the following limits: the percentage increase in the CPI-W for the year in which the participant was last employed as an employee of the employer; the total retirement benefits payable under this plan shall not exceed 75% of the participant's final monthly average salary; the total cost-of-living increase shall not exceed 30% of the participant's original retirement benefit under this plan; and the cost-of-living increases shall not impair the actuarial soundness of the pension fund.
In the case of a Survivor Benefit under § 45-6B or E or a disability retirement benefit under § 45-5B, the adjustment under Subsection G(2) hereof shall not apply, and the applicable limitation shall be the limitation contained herein without regard to the age of the benefit recipient.
Over a period beginning not later than the required beginning date and extending over the life of such participant or over the lives of such participant and a designated beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of such participant or the joint life expectancies of such participant and a designated beneficiary).
If a participant who is entitled to benefits under this plan dies prior to the date when the entire interest has been distributed after distribution of the benefits has begun in accordance with Subsection H(1)(b) above, the remaining portion of such benefit shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used under Subsection H(1)(b) as of the date of the death.
If a participant who is entitled to benefits under this plan dies before distribution of the benefit has begun, the entire interest of such employee shall be distributed within five years of the death of such employee, unless the following sentence is applicable. If any portion of the employee's interest is payable to (or for the benefit of) a designated beneficiary, such portion shall be distributed over the life of such designated beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of such beneficiary), and such distributions begin not later than one year after the date of the employee's death or such later date as provided by regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, then for purposes of the five-year rule set forth in the preceding sentence, the benefit payable to the beneficiary shall be treated as distributed on the date on which such distributions begin. Provided, however, that notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the participant, then the date on which distributions are required to begin shall not be earlier than the date upon which the employee would have attained age 70 1/2 and, further provided, if the surviving spouse dies before the distributions to such spouse begin, this subsection shall be applied as if the surviving spouse were the employee.
For purposes of this section, the life expectancy of an employee and/or the employee's spouse (other than in the case of a life annuity) may be redetermined, but not more frequently than annually.
Assignment. The pension benefit payments prescribed herein shall not be subject to attachment, execution, levy, garnishment or other legal process and shall be payable only to the participant or designated beneficiary and shall not be subject to assignment or transfer.
Retired participants. Any participant who shall have retired prior to the restatement date shall not have the benefit altered in any way by the provisions of this amended and restated plan except where otherwise expressly provided herein. Such retired participants shall continue to have their benefits governed by the terms of the plan in effect on the day preceding the restatement date. Any participant who shall have terminated employment and elected to receive a deferred retirement benefit under § 45-7C shall have such benefit determined based upon the provisions of the plan in effect as of the date of such termination of employment and shall not have the benefit altered by the provisions of this amended and restated plan.
Limitation of liability. Nothing contained herein shall obligate the employer, the plan administrator, any fiduciary or any agent or representative of any of the foregoing to provide any retirement or other benefit to any participant or beneficiary which cannot be provided from the assets available in the pension fund, whether such benefits are in pay status or otherwise payable under the terms of the plan. The Board retains the right to amend or terminate this plan consistent with applicable law at any time, with or without cause and whether or not such action directly or indirectly results in the suspension, reduction or termination of any benefit payable under the plan or in pay status, and without liability to any person for any such action.
Incorporation of Code Section 415 by reference. Notwithstanding anything contained in Subsection G to the contrary, the limitations, adjustments, and other requirements prescribed in Subsection G shall at all times comply with the provisions of Code Section 415 and the regulations thereunder (as such apply to governmental plans), the terms of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
This section applies to distributions made on or after December 31, 2001. Notwithstanding any provision of the plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit a distributee's election under this section, a distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the plan administrator, to have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution that is equal to at least $500 paid directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct rollover.
This section shall apply to distributions made on or after January 1, 2006. Notwithstanding any provision of the plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit a distributee's election under this section, if a distributee does not make an election under Subsection A(1) and does not elect to receive the distribution directly, the plan administrator shall make such transfer to an individual retirement plan of a designated trustee or issuer pursuant to § 45-8C(1)(i). The plan administrator shall notify the distributee, in writing, within a reasonable period of time and as otherwise prescribed by law, that the distribution may be transferred to another individual retirement plan.
A payment by the plan to the eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee or the plan administrator, if the distributee does not make an election.
A qualified trust described in Code Section 401(a), an individual retirement account described in Code Section 408(a), an individual retirement annuity described in Code Section 408(b), an annuity plan described in Code Section 403(a), an annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b), an eligible deferred compensation plan described in Code Section 457(b), which is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this plan.
Any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an eligible rollover distribution does not include: any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life or (life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of 10 years or more; any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Code Section 401(a)(9); and the portion of any distribution that is not includible in gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities).
For purposes of the direct rollover provisions in this section of the plan, a portion of the distribution shall not fail to be an eligible rollover distribution merely because the portion consists of after-tax employee contributions that are not includible in gross income. However, such portion may only be paid to an individual retirement account or annuity described in Section 408(a) or (b) of the Code, or to a qualified defined contribution plan described in Section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code that agrees to separately account for amounts so transferred, including separately accounting for the portion of such distribution which is includible in gross income and the portion which is not includible.
Disability retirement. A participant who shall incur a total and permanent disability before attaining normal retirement age shall be entitled to a disability retirement benefit as of the disability date.
Disability retirement benefit. A participant who retires due to a total and permanent disability, pursuant to Subsection A, shall be eligible for a disability retirement benefit in an amount equal to 50% of the participant's final monthly average salary determined as of the disability date; however, the disability benefit shall be no less than 50% of the member's salary at the time the disability was incurred, as defined pursuant to § 45-1, determined as of the disability date. Any member who received benefits for the same injuries under social security disability shall have the participant's disability benefits offset or reduced by the amount of such benefits.
Disability payments shall commence as of the first day of the month following the participant's disability date and continue until the earliest of the death of the participant, cessation of total and permanent disability, or attainment of normal retirement age (such a participant who attains normal retirement age shall thereafter receive a normal retirement benefit pursuant to § 45-4B).
A participant who shall fail to return within three months to employment as an employee of the employer upon cessation of total and permanent disability prior to attainment of normal retirement age shall be deemed to have terminated employment as of the disability date, shall not be entitled to any distribution of accumulated contributions pursuant to § 45-7B to the extent that the total amount of disability payments exceeds the value of the participant's accumulated contributions as of the disability date, and shall not be entitled to any other benefits under the plan on account of any aggregate service as of the disability date.
Verification of disability. The plan administrator shall, in its sole discretion, determine whether a participant shall have incurred a total and permanent disability. The plan administrator shall rely on the report of a physician acceptable to the plan administrator. If the plan administrator shall determine that a participant who is totally and permanently disabled has recovered sufficiently to resume active employment as a police officer or if a participant refuses to undergo a medical examination as directed by the plan administrator (such a medical examination may not be required more frequently than once in any given twelve-month period), the payment of disability retirement benefits shall cease.
Cessation of disability. A participant who is receiving payment of disability retirement benefits under this plan must notify the plan administrator of any change which may cause a cessation of entitlement to receipt of such benefits hereunder. If a participant fails to provide immediate notice to the plan administrator of any such change in status and continues to receive payment of benefits hereunder to which the participant is not entitled, then the plan may take whatever action is necessary to recover any amount of improperly paid amounts, including legal action or offsetting such amounts against any future payments of retirement or other benefits under the plan, including the costs of such actions.
Death of participant. Upon the occurrence of the death of a participant, there shall be benefits payable in accord with the following subsections of this section.
Survivor benefit. If a participant shall die after commencement of retirement or disability benefit payments or after becoming eligible to receive retirement benefit payments under § 45-4A and before retirement benefit payments commence, a survivor benefit shall be paid to the surviving spouse or dependent child(ren), if any, of the participant pursuant to Subsection C in an amount equal to 50% of the benefit the participant was receiving or was eligible to receive as of the date of death.
Payment of survivor benefit. The survivor benefit commences as of the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the date of death of the participant. The survivor benefit shall be paid monthly to the surviving spouse of the participant, if any, until the date of death of the surviving spouse. Upon the death of the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, the survivor benefit shall be paid monthly in equal shares to the surviving dependent child(ren) of the deceased participant until attainment of age 18 or, if attending college, under or attaining the age of 23. The shares payable to the surviving dependent child(ren) shall be adjusted as each child ceases to be eligible to receive a share of the benefit hereunder.
Death of participant prior to retirement. If a participant shall die before payment of a benefit has commenced and without eligibility for payment of a survivor benefit under § 45-6B or E, the beneficiary shall be eligible to receive a distribution in an amount equal to the accumulated contributions of the participant as of the date of death hereunder; the amount of distribution of accumulated contributions shall be reduced by the amount of disability retirement benefits hereunder.
In the event a participant dies as a result of the performance of his duties, a survivor benefit shall be payable. A participant is presumed to be killed in service if he/she dies due to a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty or not later than 24 hours after participating in a physical training exercise or responding to an emergency.
In the event such a benefit becomes payable, the surviving spouse or dependent child(ren), if any, of the participant shall receive a benefit pursuant to § 45-6C in an amount equal to 100% of the member's salary at the time of death as defined pursuant to § 45-1. The benefit is funded directly by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the benefit is offset by any pension benefits payable and any workers' compensation that is payable. The benefit is adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Deferred retirement benefit. A participant who shall have completed at least 12 years of aggregate service and whose employment shall terminate for any reason other than due to death or total and permanent disability prior to attainment of normal retirement age shall be entitled to elect by filing a written notice of the intention to vest with the plan administrator within 90 days of the date employment ceases to receive a deferred retirement benefit in lieu of a distribution of accumulated contributions under Subsection B. Such a deferred retirement benefit shall be equal to the participant's accrued benefit as of the date employment terminates and shall commence after application pursuant to § 45-5E and not earlier than the date which would be the participant's normal retirement date under the plan if the participant remained in employment until such date.
Police pension committee. The Board may appoint a Police Pension Committee to administer the affairs of the plan. The Board shall delegate such authority as it shall deem appropriate to the Committee. The Committee, if one is appointed, shall consist of not more than five members, one of whom, shall be a representative of the Wilkins Police Association. Each member of the Committee shall serve in that capacity until death, resignation, removal or otherwise. Each member may resign by delivering written notice to the Board and other members of the Committee. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the position was originally filled by the Board; provided, however, that the remaining members of the Committee shall have full power to act pending the filling of such vacancies.
To appoint and retain any individual to assist in the administration of the plan, including such legal, clerical, accounting and actuarial services as may be required by any applicable law or laws.
To select an individual retirement plan provider (either the state or a federally regulated financial institution) and invest funds in connection with the rollover of mandatory distributions as described in § 45-4O(2).
The plan administrator shall have no power to add to, subtract from or modify the terms of the plan or change or add to any benefits provided by the plan or to waive or fail to apply any requirements of eligibility for benefits under the plan. Further, the plan administrator shall have no power to adopt, amend, or terminate the plan, to select or appoint any trustee or to determine or require any contributions to the plan, said powers being exclusively reserved to the Board.
Police Pension Committee organization. The Committee may organize itself in any manner deemed appropriate to effectuate its purposes hereunder, provided that it shall operate and act by a majority of its members at the time in office either by vote at a meeting or in writing without a meeting. The Committee shall appoint a Chairman, a Secretary who may, but need not be, a Committee member, and such other agents as it may deem advisable. The Committee may authorize any one or more of its members to execute any document or documents, including any application, request, certificate, notice, consent, waiver or direction, and shall notify the Board, in writing, of each such member so authorized; however, if no such member is so authorized, the Chairman shall be deemed to be so authorized. Any trustee or other fiduciary appointed hereunder shall accept and be fully protected in relying upon any document executed by the designated members (or the Chairman in the absence of a designation) as representing a valid action by the Committee until the Committee shall file with such fiduciary a written revocation of such designation. The Committee shall meet at least one time in each plan year, and it shall maintain and keep such records as are necessary for the efficient operation of the plan or as may be required by any applicable law, regulation or ruling and shall provide for the preparation and filing of such forms, reports or documents as may be required to be filed with any governmental agency or department and with the participants or other persons entitled to benefits under the plan.
Plan administrator costs. The plan administrator shall serve without compensation for services unless otherwise agreed by the Board in writing. All reasonable expenses incident to the functioning of the plan administrator, including, but not limited to, fees of accountants, counsel, actuaries and other specialists, and other costs of administering the plan, may be paid from the pension fund upon approval by the Board to the extent permitted under applicable law and not otherwise paid by the employer.
Hold harmless. No member of the Board, the plan administrator, the enrolled actuary, nor any other person involved in the administration of the plan shall be liable to any person on account of any act or failure to act which is taken or omitted to be taken in good faith in performing their respective duties under the terms of this plan. To the extent permitted by law, the employer shall, and hereby does agree to, indemnify and hold harmless the plan administrator and each successor and each of any such individual's heirs, executors and administrators, and the delegates and appointees (other than any person, bank, firm or corporation which is independent of the employer and which renders services to the plan for a fee) from any and all liability and expenses, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred in any action, suit or proceeding to which he/she is or may be made a party by reason of being or having been a member, delegate or appointee of the plan administrator, except in matters involving criminal liability, intentional or willful misconduct. If the employer purchases insurance to cover claims of a nature described above, then there shall be no right of indemnification except to the extent of any deductible amount under the insurance coverage or to the extent of the amount the claims exceed the insured amount.
Appeal procedure. Any person whose application for retirement benefits is denied, who questions the amount of benefit paid, who believes a benefit should have commenced which did not so commence or who has some other claim arising under the plan ("claimant") shall first seek a resolution of such claim under the procedure hereinafter set forth.
Upon receipt of notice denying the claim, the claimant shall have the right to request a full and fair review by the Board of the initial determination. Such request for review must be made by notice to the Board within 60 days of receipt of such notice of denial. During such review, the claimant or a duly authorized representative shall have the right to review any pertinent documents and to submit any issues or comments in writing. The Board shall, within 60 days after receipt of the notice requesting such review (or in special circumstances, such as where the Board in its sole discretion holds a hearing, within 120 days of receipt of such notice), submit its decision in writing to the person or persons whose claim has been denied. The decision shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties, shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and shall contain specific references to the pertinent plan provisions on which the decision is based.
Any notice of a claim questioning the amount of a benefit in pay status shall be filed within 90 days following the date of the first payment which would be adjusted if the claim is granted unless the plan administrator allows a later filing for good cause shown.
Nothing contained herein is intended to abridge any right of a claimant to appeal any final decision hereunder to a court of competent jurisdiction under 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 752. No decision hereunder is a final decision from which such an appeal may be taken until the entire appeal procedure of this subsection of the plan has been exhausted.
The employer intends the plan to be permanent and for the exclusive benefit of its employees. It expects to make the contributions to the pension fund required under the plan. The employer shall not be liable in any manner for any insufficiency in the pension fund; benefits are payable only from the pension fund and only to the extent that there are monies available therein. The pension fund will consist of all funds held by the employer under the plan, including contributions made pursuant to the provisions hereof and the investments, reinvestments and proceeds thereof. The pension fund shall be held, managed, and administered pursuant to the terms of the plan. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the plan, the employer has exclusive authority and discretion to manage and control the pension fund assets. The employer may, however, appoint a trustee, custodian or investment manager, at its sole discretion.
To retain in cash so much of the pension fund as it deems advisable and to deposit any cash so retained in any bank or similar financial institution (including any such institution which may be appointed to serve as trustee hereunder) without liability for interest thereon.
To invest and reinvest the principal and income of the fund and keep said fund invested, without distinction between principal and income, in securities which are at the time legal investments for fiduciaries under the Pennsylvania Fiduciaries Investment Act or as the same may be subsequently modified or amended.
To place money at any time in a deposit bank deemed to be appropriate for the purposes of this plan no matter where situated, including, in those cases where a bank has been appointed to serve as trustee hereunder, the savings department of its own commercial bank.
In addition to the foregoing powers, the employer shall also have all of the powers, rights, and privileges conferred upon trustees by the Pennsylvania Fiduciaries Investment Act or as the same may be subsequently modified or amended and the power to do all acts, take all proceedings and execute all rights and privileges, although not specifically mentioned herein, as the employer may deem necessary to administer the pension fund.
To invest the assets of the pension fund in any collective commingled trust fund maintained by a bank or trust company, including any bank or trust company which may act as a trustee hereunder. In this connection, the commingling of the assets of this plan with assets of other eligible, participating plans through such a medium is hereby specifically authorized. Any assets of the plan which may be so added to such collective trusts shall be subject to all of the provisions of the applicable declaration of trust, as amended from time to time, which declaration, if required by its terms or by applicable law, is hereby adopted as pan of the plan to the extent of the participation in such collective or commingled trust fund by the plan.
To pay, and to deduct from and charge against the pension fund, any taxes which may be imposed thereon, whether with respect to the income, property or transfer thereof, or upon or with respect to the interest of any person therein, which the fund is required to pay; to contest, in its discretion, the validity or amount of any tax, assessment, claim or demand which may be levied or made against or in respect of the pension fund, the income, property or transfer thereof or in any matter or thing connected therewith.
To appoint any persons or firms (including but not limited to, accountants, investment advisors, counsels, actuaries, physicians, appraisers, consultants, professional plan administrators and other specialists) or otherwise act to secure specialized advice or assistance as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with the management of the fund; to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the employer shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon and shall be fully protected in any action or omission taken by it in good faith reliance upon the advice or opinion of such persons or firms, provided such persons or firms were prudently chosen by the employer, taking into account the interests of the participants and beneficiaries and with due regard to the ability of the persons or firms to perform their assigned functions.
Compensation and expenses of appointed trustee. If a trustee is appointed, the trustee shall be entitled to such reasonable compensation as shall from time to time be agreed upon by the employer and the trustee unless such compensation is prohibited by law. Such compensation, and all expenses reasonably incurred by the trustee in carrying out its functions, shall constitute a charge upon the employer or the pension fund, which may be executed at any time after 30 days' written notice to the employer. The employer shall be under no obligation to pay such costs and expenses, and, in the event of its failure to do so, the trustee shall be entitled to pay the same, or to be reimbursed for the payment thereof, from the pension fund.
Periodic accounting. If a trustee is appointed, the pension fund shall be evaluated annually or at more frequent intervals by the trustee and a written accounting rendered as of each fiscal year end of the fund and as of the effective date of any removal or resignation of the trustee and such additional dates as requested by the employer, showing the condition of the fund and all receipts, disbursements and other transactions effected by the trustee during the period covered by the accounting based on fair market values prevailing as of such date.
Value of the pension fund. All determinations as to the value of the assets of the pension fund and as to the amount of the liabilities thereof shall be made by the employer or its appointed trustee, whose decisions shall be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto, to the participants and beneficiaries and their estates. In making any such determination, the employer or trustee shall be entitled to seek and rely upon the opinion of or any information furnished by brokers, appraisers and other experts and shall also be entitled to rely upon reports as to sales and quotations, both on security exchanges and otherwise as contained in newspapers and in financial publications.
That no amendment to the plan which provides for a benefit modification shall be made unless the cost estimate described in § 45-11C has been prepared and presented to the Board in accordance with the Act.
In the event of the termination of the plan, all amounts of vested benefits accrued by the affected participants as of the date of such termination, to the extent funded on such date, shall be nonforfeitable hereunder. In the event of termination of the plan, the employer shall direct either that the plan administrator continue to hold the vested accrued benefits of participants in the pension fund in accordance with the provisions of the plan (other than those provisions related to forfeitures) without regard to such termination until all funds have been distributed in accordance with the provisions; or that the plan administrator immediately distribute to each participant an amount equal to the vested accrued benefit to the date.
The plan's actuary shall perform an actuarial valuation at least biennially unless the employer is applying or has applied for supplemental state assistance pursuant to Section 603 of the Act, whereupon actuarial valuation reports shall be made annually.
Legitimate travel and education expenses for plan officials; provided, however, that the municipal officials of the employer, in their fiduciary role, shall monitor the services provided to the plan to ensure that the expenses are necessary, reasonable and benefit the plan; and further provided, that the plan administrator shall document all such expenses item by item and, where necessary, hour by hour.
Duties of chief administrative officer.
Such actuarial reports shall be prepared and filed under the supervision of the chief administrative officer.
The chief administrative officer of the plan shall determine the financial requirements of the plan on the basis of the most recent actuarial report and shall determine the minimum municipal obligation of the employer with respect to funding the plan for any given plan year. The chief administrative officer shall submit the financial requirements of the plan and the minimum municipal obligation of the employer to the Board annually and shall certify the accuracy of such calculations and their conformance with the Act.
Employment rights. No employee of the employer nor anyone else shall have any rights whatsoever against the employer or the plan administrator as a result of this plan except those expressly granted hereunder. Participation in this plan shall not give any right to any employee to be retained in the employ of the employer nor shall it interfere with the right of the employer to discharge any employee and to deal with such employee without regard to the effect such treatment might have upon participation in this plan.
Information to be furnished by the employer. The employer shall furnish to the plan administrator (and, where applicable, the trustee) information in the employer's possession as the plan administrator and the trustee shall require from time to time to perform their duties under the plan.
Pension fund for sole benefit of participants. The income and principal of the pension fund are for the sole use and benefit of the participants covered hereunder, and to the extent permitted by law, shall be free, clear and discharged from and are not to be in any way liable for debts, contracts or agreements, now contracted or which may hereafter be contracted, and from all claims and liabilities now or hereafter incurred by any participant or beneficiary.
Benefits for a deceased participant. If any benefit shall be payable under the plan to or on behalf of a participant who has died, if the plan provides that the payment of such benefits shall be made to the participant's estate, and if no administration of such participant's estate is pending in the court of proper jurisdiction, then the plan administrator, at its sole option, may pay such benefits to the surviving spouse of such deceased participant, or, if there is no surviving spouse, to such participant's then living issue, per stirpes; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent the plan administrator from insisting upon the commencement of estate administration proceedings and the delivery of any such benefits to a duly appointed executor or administrator.
Construction of document. This plan may be executed and/or conformed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the commonwealth, excepting such commonwealth's choice of law rules.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Article II, Nonuniformed Employees Pension Plan, adopted 3-18-1991 by Ord. No. 808, as amended.
Wilkins Township, being a member municipality of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System, hereby elects to change its member benefits in that system as authorized by the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law, Act 15 of 1974, as amended, and does hereby agree to be bound by all the requirements and provisions of said Law, and to assume all obligations, financial and otherwise, placed upon member municipalities. All references hereafter shall be based on benefits negotiated between the Board and the municipality under the provisions of Article IV of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law.
Membership in the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System shall be mandatory for all permanent, municipal employees of the Township. Membership for elected officials and employees hired on a temporary or seasonal basis is prohibited, as is membership for individuals paid only on a fee basis.
Credit for prior service for original members is granted for each year or partial year thereof that the member was employed by the Township from original date of hire or the expiration of the member's probationary period if one so existed. Benefits provided to members in the agreement dated July 29, 2002, shall accrue based on all credited services granted and earned in accordance with this section.
Payment for any obligation established by the adoption of this article and the agreement between the system and Wilkins Township shall be made by the Township in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law and Act 205 of 1984, the Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act.
As part of this article, the Township agrees that the system shall provide the benefits set forth in the agreement between the Board and Wilkins Township, dated July 29, 2002. The passage and adoption of this article by Wilkins Township is an official acceptance of said agreement and the financial obligations resulting from the administration of said benefit package. Wilkins Township hereby assumes all liability for any unfundedness created or which may be created due to the acceptance of the benefit structure outlined in the above-referenced agreement.
Wilkins Township intends this article to be the complete authorization of the Township plan and it shall become effective and specifically repeals Ordinance Number 808 either immediately or on May 1, 2002, which is the effective date of the amended agreement dated July 29, 2002, between the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System and Wilkins Township, whichever is later.
A duly certified copy of this article and the referenced agreement shall be filed with the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Membership for the municipal employees of Wilkins Township in the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System shall be effective the first day of January, 1962, with the revised plan structure reflected in the agreement dated July 29, 2002, effective the first day of May, 2002.

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