§2178. Disability benefits; retirement benefits; death benefits

A. For purposes of this Section, the term "final average compensation" shall mean:

(1) For any member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began prior to July 1, 2006, the member's average salary for the thirty-six highest successive months of employment, or the highest thirty-six successive joined months of employment where interruption of service occurred. If the member has been employed for a period of less than thirty-six months, final average compensation shall be based on the average monthly salary received for the time employed. The earnings to be considered for the thirteenth through the twenty-fourth month shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five percent of the earnings of the first through the twelfth month. The earnings to be considered for the final twelve months shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five percent of the earnings of the thirteenth through the twenty-fourth month. Nothing in this Subsection, however, shall change the method of determining the amount of earned compensation received.

(2) For any member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began on or after July 1, 2006, and prior to July 1, 2013, the member's average salary for the sixty highest successive months of employment, or the highest sixty successive joined months of employment where interruption of service occurred. If the member has been employed for a period of less than sixty months, final average compensation shall be based on the average monthly salary received for the time employed.

(3) For any member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began on or after July 1, 2013, final average compensation is defined as the member's average salary for the sixty highest successive months of employment, or the highest sixty successive joined months of employment where interruption of service occurred. If the member has been employed for a period of less than sixty months, final average compensation shall be based on the average monthly salary received for the time employed. The earnings to be considered for the thirteenth through the twenty-fourth month shall not exceed one hundred fifteen percent of the earnings of the first through the twelfth month. The earnings to be considered for the twenty-fifth through the thirty-sixth month shall not exceed one hundred fifteen percent of the earnings of the thirteenth through the twenty-fourth month. The earnings for the thirty-seventh through the forty-eighth month shall not exceed one hundred fifteen percent of the earnings of the twenty-fifth through the thirty-sixth month. The earnings for the final twelve months shall not exceed one hundred fifteen percent of the earnings of the thirty-seventh through the forty-eighth month.

B. Eligibility for disability benefits, procedures for application for disability benefits, procedures for the certification of continuing eligibility for disability benefits, the authority of the board of trustees to modify disability benefits, and procedures governing the restoration to active service of an employee who formerly had a disability are specifically described and provided for in R.S. 11:201 through 225. The board of trustees shall award disability benefits to eligible members who have been officially certified as having a disability by the State Medical Disability Board. The disability benefit shall be as follows:

(1) Service related disability benefit. (a) The disability benefit for total disability from gainful employment due to an injury sustained while in the performance of official duties shall be a sum equal to forty-five percent of final average compensation.

(b) A member who is classified as having a total disability for any employment shall be entitled to earn twenty-five percent of his disability benefit in a calendar year before being reclassified as having a partial disability.

(2) Supplemental service related disability benefit. (a) A member who is eligible for a service related disability under R.S. 11:207(A) shall be entitled to a supplemental service related disability benefit if the benefit to which he is entitled under R.S. 11:207(A) is less than the benefit the member would have received had he retired under R.S. 11:207(B).

(b) The amount of the member's supplemental service-related disability benefit shall be equal to the difference between the member's service-related disability benefit calculated under Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and the maximum non-service related disability benefit the member would have received had he retired under Paragraph (3) of this Subsection.

(3) Non-service related disability benefit. (a) The disability benefit for total disability caused by an injury other than an injury sustained in the performance of a member's official duties shall be the lesser of:

(i) A sum equal to the greater of forty-five percent of final average compensation or the member's accrued retirement benefit at the time of termination of employment due to disability.

(ii) The retirement benefit which would be payable assuming accrued creditable service plus additional continued service, if any, to the earliest possible retirement age based on final average compensation at the time of termination of employment due to disability.

(b) Upon approval for disability benefits, the member shall exercise a retirement option as provided for service retirement under the provisions of Subsection I of this Section and no change in the option selected shall be permitted after it has been filed with the board. The retirement option factors shall be the same as those utilized for regular retirement based on the age of the retiree and spouse had the retiree continued in active service until the normal retirement date.

(c) A member who is classified as having a total disability for any employment shall be entitled to earn twenty-five percent of his disability benefit in a calendar year before being reclassified as having a partial disability.

(d) Upon attaining the age of fifty-five, and upon application to the board of trustees, a member who has retired under the disability retirement provisions of this Subsection may convert his disability retirement to regular retirement described in Subsection C of this Section.

(4) The benefit for partial disability shall be seventy-five percent of the amount that the member would have received for total disability.

C.(1)(a) Any member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began prior to January 1, 2012, shall be eligible to retire, upon receipt of the member's written application by the board of trustees, if the member:

(i) Has twelve or more years of creditable service and has attained the age of fifty-five.

(ii) Has thirty or more years of creditable service, without regard to age.

(b) Any member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began on or after January 1, 2012, shall be eligible to retire, upon receipt of the member's written application by the board of trustees, if the member:

(i) Has twelve or more years of creditable service and has attained the age of sixty-two.

(ii) Has twenty or more years of creditable service and has attained the age of sixty.

(iii) Has thirty or more years of creditable service and has attained the age of fifty-five.

(c)(i) A member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began on or before June 30, 2006, shall be paid a monthly sum equal to three and one-third percent of the member's final average compensation multiplied by the number of years of creditable service in the fund.

(ii) A member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began on or after July 1, 2006, but prior to January 1, 2012, shall be paid a monthly sum equal to three and one-third percent of the member's final average compensation multiplied by the number of years of creditable service in the fund.

(iii) A member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began on or after January 1, 2012, shall be paid a monthly sum equal to three percent of the member's final average compensation multiplied by the number of years of creditable service in the fund.

(iv)(aa) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (iii) of this Subparagraph, a member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began on or after January 1, 2012, who retires with thirty or more years of creditable service or any member who in the performance of his official duties as a commissioned law enforcement officer suffers a violent act or accident during the pursuit, apprehension, or arrest of a criminal suspect and as a result acquires a total and permanent disability or dies, shall be paid a monthly sum equal to three and one-third percent of the member's final average compensation multiplied by the number of years of creditable service in the fund.

(bb) Creditable service maintained pursuant to a reciprocal agreement in another system, fund, or plan shall not be used to meet the requirement of thirty or more years of creditable service.

(cc) Transferred service with an accrual rate of less than three and one-third percent shall not be used to meet the requirement of thirty or more years of creditable service unless the member elects to purchase the accrual rate for application to his transferred credit pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 11:2174.2.

(2) Any member who has twelve or more years of creditable service and who separates from service before attaining the minimum age required for regular retirement eligibility shall be entitled to a deferred retirement beginning when the member attains regular retirement age. The member shall be paid the same amount he would have received had he retired while in service. In order to be eligible for this deferred retirement, the member shall not have withdrawn any part of his contributions from the fund. The member's written application shall be received by the board before the retirement is effective.

(3)(a) In the event a member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began prior to January 1, 2012, is eligible for deferred retirement and is over fifty years of age with at least twenty years of creditable service the member may elect to take, in lieu of deferred retirement, the actuarial equivalent of the benefit due had the member attained age fifty-five. The retirement shall become effective upon receipt of the member's written application by the board of trustees.

(b) In the event a member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began on or after January 1, 2012, is eligible for deferred retirement and is over fifty years of age with at least twenty years of creditable service the member may elect to take, in lieu of deferred retirement, the actuarial equivalent of the benefit due had the member attained age sixty. The retirement shall become effective upon receipt of the member's written application by the board of trustees.

(4) The retirement pension under this Subsection shall in no case exceed the member's final average compensation.

(5) Any active, contributing member whose first employment making him eligible for membership in the system began prior to January 1, 2012, who has completed ten years of service, has attained the age of sixty, and is not in a deferred retiree status, shall be eligible for a reduced retirement benefit equal to the member's accrued regular retirement benefit reduced actuarially for each month or fraction thereof that retirement begins prior to the member's earliest normal retirement date assuming continuous service.

D.(1) The following death benefits are applicable and shall be paid, or shall continue to be paid, to those survivors hereinafter defined in Subsection E of this Section where death occurred prior to July 1, 1969, or, in the case of members retired prior to July 30, 1958, while receiving a pension:

(a) If any sheriff or deputy dies while in the service solely as the result of injuries received in the line of duty, or, while on disability, or, in the case of members retired before July 30, 1958, while receiving a pension, the board shall direct payment from the fund monthly on the following basis:

(i) For a widow alone, so long as she remains unmarried, or for a widower alone, so long as he remains mentally or physically incapacitated, a sum equal to one-half of said sheriff's or deputy's average monthly salary for the thirty-six months immediately preceding his or her death or retirement, or of his or her average monthly salary for the time of his or her employment if employed for a shorter period than thirty-six months, which payment shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of seventy-five dollars.

(ii) If there is a widow or widower entitled to benefits, for each child under the age of eighteen years, the additional sum of twenty dollars per month, which shall cease on his eighteenth birthday.

(iii) If there is no widow or widower entitled to benefits, for one or more children under eighteen years, a sum equal to one-half of said sheriff's or deputy's average monthly salary for the thirty-six months immediately preceding his or her death or retirement, or of his or her average monthly salary for the time of his or her employment, if employed for a shorter period than thirty-six months, which payment shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of seventy-five dollars for one child and twenty dollars per month for each additional child. All such payments shall cease as the respective children reach age eighteen.

(iv) If there is no widow, or widower or child entitled to benefits, for a parent or parents or the survivor of them dependent upon the deceased sheriff or deputy for support, a sum equal to one-half of the said sheriff's or deputy's monthly salary at the time of death or retirement, which payment shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of fifty dollars.

(b) In the event benefits become payable to a widow and a child or children or to a widower and a child or children, and in the event of the death of said widow or said widower after such benefits become so payable, for one or more children under the age of eighteen a sum equal to one-half of said sheriff's or deputy's average monthly salary for the thirty-six months immediately preceding his or her death or retirement, or his or her average monthly salary for the time of his or her employment if employed for a shorter period than thirty-six months, which payments shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of seventy-five dollars for one child and twenty dollars per month for each additional child, which payments shall cease when the respective children reach age eighteen.

(c) For a widow of any ex-deputy sheriff who died while in the service and who was serving in the capacity of chief criminal deputy at the time of his death and whose period of service was for at least twenty years during the period 1921 through 1942, a monthly benefit shall be paid from the fund in the amount of seventy-five dollars, provided that she was living with and dependent upon said ex-deputy sheriff at the time of his death, and provided, further, that before any of such benefits shall be payable, the widow of such ex-deputy sheriff shall pay or shall have paid into the fund, for the account of the said ex-deputy sheriff, contributions representing three percent of his average salary for each month subsequent to December 31, 1946, until the date of her application to be placed on the pension.

(2) The following death benefits are applicable and shall be paid to those survivors hereinafter defined in Subsection E of this Section where death occurred subsequent to July 1, 1969, and prior to September 10, 1982.

(a) If any sheriff or deputy dies while in the service solely as a result of injuries received in the line of duty, or while drawing disability benefits, the board shall direct payment from the fund monthly on the following basis:

(i) For a widow alone, so long as she remains unmarried, or for a widower alone, so long as he remains mentally or physically incapacitated, a sum equal to seventy-five percent of said sheriff's or deputy's monthly salary for the thirty-six months immediately preceding his or her death, or of his or her average monthly salary for the time of his or her employment, if employed for a shorter period than thirty-six months, which payment shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of one hundred fifty dollars.

(ii) If there is a widow or widower entitled to benefits, for each child under the age of eighteen years, the additional sum of forty dollars per month which shall cease on his eighteenth birthday.

(iii) If there is no widow or widower entitled to benefits, for one or more children under eighteen years a sum equal to seventy-five percent of said sheriff's or deputy's average monthly salary for the thirty-six months immediately preceding his or her death, or of his or her average monthly salary for the time of his or her employment, if employed for a shorter period than thirty-six months, which payment shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of one hundred fifty dollars for one child and forty dollars per month for each additional child. All such payments shall cease as the respective children reach age eighteen.

(iv) If there is no widow, or widower or child entitled to benefits, for a parent or parents or the survivor of them dependent upon the deceased sheriff or deputy for support, a sum equal to one-half of the said sheriff's or deputy's monthly salary at the time of death, which payment shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of fifty dollars.

(b) In the event benefits become payable to a widow and a child or children or to a widower and a child or children and in the event of the death of said widow or said widower after such benefits become so payable, for one or more children under age eighteen a sum equal to seventy-five percent of said sheriff's or deputy's average monthly salary for the thirty-six months immediately preceding his or her death or his or her average monthly salary for the time of his or her employment if employed for a shorter period than thirty-six months, which payment shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of one hundred fifty dollars for one child and forty dollars per month for each additional child, which payments shall cease when the respective children reach age eighteen.

(3) The following death benefits are applicable and shall be paid to those survivors hereinafter defined in Subsection E of this Section when death occurred on or subsequent to September 10, 1982; the death benefits provided herein to a sheriff or deputy drawing disability benefits are applicable only to those disability retirees who were placed on disability prior to September 8, 1988.

(a) If any sheriff or deputy is killed in the discharge of his duties, or dies from immediate effects of any injury received as the result of an act of violence occurring while engaged in the discharge of his duties or while drawing disability benefits, the board shall direct payment from the fund monthly, but in no event an amount greater than the disability benefit previously paid to the retiree under disability, on the following basis:

(i) For a widow alone, or for a widower alone, a sum equal to fifty percent of the said sheriff's or deputy's final average compensation as defined in this Section, or of his or her average monthly salary for the time of his or her employment, if employed for a shorter period than thirty-six months, which payment in no event shall be less than one hundred fifty dollars per month.

(ii)(aa) If there is a surviving spouse entitled to benefits, and a child or children under eighteen years of age, or over said age if physically or mentally incapacitated, or a surviving child who is enrolled at a board-approved or accredited school, college, or university, enrolled in a sufficient number of courses and classes in such institution to be classified as a full-time student in good standing, under the criteria used by the institution in which the student is enrolled in which event benefits terminate at the completion of schooling or attaining the age of twenty-three, and who is dependent upon the deceased at the time of death, the additional sum of fifteen percent of the member's final average compensation will be paid for each child, with the total benefit to the surviving spouse and children not to exceed one hundred percent of the member's final average compensation.

(bb) The additional benefit to a minor child shall cease at the time the child attains age eighteen unless the child is enrolled as a student attending high school, college, a university, or institution approved by the board in a sufficient number of courses and classes in such institution to be classified as a full-time student in good standing, under the criteria used by the institution in which the student is enrolled in which event benefits terminate at the completion of schooling or attaining the age of twenty-three.

(cc) Enrollment and attendance will be certified on such forms and in such a manner as to be determined by the board.

(iii) If there is no surviving spouse entitled to benefits, for one or more children under eighteen years of age, or over said age if physically or mentally incapacitated, or a surviving child who is enrolled at a board-approved or accredited school, college, or university, enrolled in a sufficient number of courses and classes in such institution to be classified as a full-time student in good standing, under the criteria used by the institution in which the student is enrolled in which event benefits terminate at the completion of schooling or attaining the age of twenty-three, and who is dependent upon the deceased, a sum equal to fifteen percent of the member's final average compensation for each child not to exceed sixty percent of the member's final average compensation in the event there are more than four dependent children. Benefits to a minor child shall terminate under the same conditions as set forth in Item (ii) of this Subparagraph.

(iv) If there is no widow or widower or child entitled to benefits, for a parent or parents or the survivor of them dependent upon the deceased sheriff or deputy for support, a sum equal to fifty percent of the said sheriff's or deputy's monthly salary at the time of death, which payment shall in no event exceed the monthly sum of one hundred dollars per dependent parent.

(b) In the event benefits become payable to a widow or widower and a child or children, in the event of the death of said widow or widower after such benefits become so payable, payments shall be made to the surviving child or children in keeping with the benefits set forth in Item (a)(iii) of this Paragraph.

(4) The following death benefits are applicable and shall be paid to the survivors, as defined in Subsection E of this Section, of a member who in the performance of his official duties as a commissioned law enforcement officer dies as a result of an intentional violent act:

(a) For a surviving spouse alone, the benefit shall be the greater of the benefits defined in R.S. 11:2178(D)(3)(a)(i) or R.S. 11:2178(J)(1).

(b) If there is a surviving spouse entitled to benefits and a child or children under eighteen years of age, or over that age if physically or mentally incapacitated, or a surviving child under twenty-three years of age who is enrolled at a board-approved or accredited school, college, or university, enrolled in a sufficient number of courses and classes in such institution to be classified as a full-time student in good standing, under the criteria used by the institution, and who is dependent upon the deceased at the time of death, an additional benefit equaling the difference between the total benefit to the surviving spouse, as defined in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, and one hundred percent of the member's final average compensation shall be equally divided and paid to the surviving child or children. The total benefits paid to survivors shall not exceed one hundred percent of the member's final average compensation.

(i) If the surviving spouse dies while benefits are still being paid to the surviving child or children, the surviving spouse's benefit shall be divided equally and paid to the remaining eligible surviving child or children.

(ii) In the event of the death of a surviving spouse, while any eligible surviving child or children are below the age of majority, the benefits available to the surviving minor child or children shall be payable to a trust satisfactory to the fund and established by law until such time as the minor child reaches the age of majority.

(c) If there is no surviving spouse entitled to benefits, any child or children under eighteen years of age, or over that age if physically or mentally incapacitated, or a surviving child under twenty-three years of age who is enrolled at a board-approved or accredited school, college, or university, enrolled in a sufficient number of courses and classes in such institution to be classified as a full-time student in good standing, under the criteria used by the institution in which the student is enrolled, and who is dependent upon the deceased, shall be eligible to receive a sum equal to one hundred percent of the member's final average compensation. The sum shall be divided equally among the surviving children in the form of a monthly benefit and shall be payable to a trust satisfactory to the fund and established by law until such time as the minor child reaches the age of majority.

(d) Unless he is physically or mentally disabled, as each child attains the age of eighteen, or the age of twenty-three years if a student, his benefit shall cease.

E. However, the board shall not make payment in accordance with the provisions set forth in Subsection D except to:

(1) A widow who was married to and living with her husband (a) at the time of his death if he was killed, or (b) at the time of his death and at the time the act of violence occurred if he died as a result of injuries received therefrom.

(2) A widower who was married to and living with his wife (a) at the time of her death if she was killed, or (b) at the time of her death and at the time the act of violence occurred if she died as a result of injuries received therefrom.

(3) A child or children born of the marriage under the age of eighteen years, or over said age if physically or mentally incapacitated, dependent upon the sheriff or deputy at the time of his or her death.

(4) A mother or father, or both, dependent upon the sheriff or deputy at the time of his or her death.

(5) Widows who are qualified under and defined by the provisions of Subparagraph (D)(1)(c) of this Section.

F. The provisions of Paragraphs (1) and (2) of Subsection E of this Section shall be applied retroactively to July 1, 1997.

G. Effective January 1, 2007, in the case of a member who dies while on a leave of absence to perform qualified military service as described in Section 414(u) of the Internal Revenue Code, the member's beneficiary shall be entitled to any benefits that would have been provided, other than benefit accruals relating to the period of qualified military service, under the plan had the member resumed and then terminated employment on account of death, in accordance with Section 401(a)(37) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, the member's beneficiary shall be entitled to benefit accruals relating to the period of qualified military service provided the member's beneficiary timely remits to the fund any employee contributions which would have been required but for the member's leave of absence to perform qualified military service, in accordance with the terms of federal law and R.S. 11:2186.

H. The word "salary" as used in this Section shall mean monies received by the sheriff or deputy sheriff, directly from the respective sheriffs' general funds for duties performed as a sheriff or deputy sheriff, including for sheriffs the expense allowance provided by law.

I.(1)(a) Upon application for service retirement, any participant may elect to receive benefits in a retirement allowance payable throughout life, or

(b) May elect at that time to receive the actuarial equivalent of the retirement allowance in a reduced retirement allowance payable throughout life with the following options, subject to the limitation that no member may elect an optional settlement in any amount in excess of the member's final average compensation, after the reduction produced by the option selected:

Option 1. If the member dies before receiving in annuity payments the present value of the member's annuity as it was at the time of the member's retirement, the balance shall be paid to the member's legal representative or representatives or to such person as the member shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board.

Option 2. Upon the member's death, a reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to the spouse to whom the member was married and living with at the time of retirement.

Option 2A. Upon the member's death, a reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to the spouse to whom the member was married and living with at the time of retirement provided that if the designated beneficiary predeceases the retiree, the retiree's reduced benefit shall change to the maximum benefit effective on the first day of the next month following the death of the designated beneficiary. The retiree shall be responsible for notifying the pension fund of these circumstances, presenting satisfactory evidence of same, and requesting the change of the reduced benefit to the maximum benefit. Adjustment of benefits under this Option shall not be retroactive, and shall be effective on the first day of the next month following official approval of the application for change in benefits.

Option 3. Upon the member's death, one-half of the reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to the spouse to whom the member was married and living with at the time of retirement.

Option 3A. Upon the member's death, one-half of the reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to the spouse to whom the member was married and living with at the time of retirement provided that if the designated beneficiary predeceases the retiree, the retiree's reduced benefit shall change the maximum benefit effective on the first day of the next month following the death of the designated beneficiary. The retiree shall be responsible for notifying the pension fund of these circumstances, presenting satisfactory evidence of same, and requesting the change of the reduced benefit to the maximum benefit. Adjustment of benefits under this Option shall not be retroactive, and shall be effective on the first day of the next month following official approval of the application for change in benefits.

Option 4. Some other benefit or benefits shall be paid either to the participant or to the spouse to whom the member was married and living with at the time of retirement, if living, or to the minor child or children, until the age of majority, or to the disabled child or children, as long as the disability exists, otherwise to such other dependent as the member shall have nominated until the age of majority or for a period of ten years, whichever is greater, provided such other benefit or benefits, together with the reduced retirement allowance, shall be certified by the actuary to be of equivalent actuarial value to the member's retirement allowance and approved by the board.

Option 5. Ninety percent of the member's maximum retirement and upon death, if survived by a surviving spouse to whom the member was married and living with at the time of retirement, fifty percent of the member's benefit shall be paid to the surviving spouse during said spouse's lifetime.

(2) No option shall become effective until the date specified by the member in the application for retirement and no change in the option selected shall be permitted after the application has been officially filed with the board; however, any member who has made an error in the selection of a retirement option, without consideration of events subsequent to the date of retirement, shall be permitted to make a one-time change in the option selected provided the request is made within a one-year period after the effective date of the option selected.

(3) If any option of this Subsection is selected, and the retiree's spouse was designated as the beneficiary, and a judgment of divorce is rendered with respect to the retiree and the spouse, and, in connection therewith, the spouse, irrevocably, by court order, relinquishes the spouse's survivorship rights under the option originally selected by the retiree, the originally selected option shall be considered revoked and the retiree shall be considered as retired under the maximum benefit, subject to reduction as hereinafter set forth, and without affording the retiree the right to select an option under which the retiree could designate a new beneficiary, and the benefit payable to the retiree shall be increased to the amount the retiree would have received had the retiree selected the maximum benefit, adjusted for any cost-of-living increases granted to the retiree, less any amount required as a result of such change in retirement status to render the new benefit to be the actuarial equivalent of the maximum benefit. The retiree shall be required to reimburse the system, by way of a one-time deduction from the retiree's next benefit check, the reasonable cost incurred by the system to have these calculations made. The retiree shall be required to contractually hold the system harmless in the event that the former spouse ever successfully asserts a property right relative hereto which has any adverse effect upon the system. It shall be the responsibility of the retiree to notify the system of these circumstances, to present satisfactory evidence of same, and to request the recomputation of benefits. Adjustment of benefits under this Subsection shall not be retroactive, and shall be effective on the first day of the next month following official approval of the application for recomputation benefits.

J.(1) Any member who is eligible for retirement based on length of service, including members drawing disability benefits prior to September 9, 1988, who leaves a surviving spouse with whom the member is living at the time of death, shall be deemed to have exercised automatically Option 2 benefits just as though the member had retired and elected Option 2 prior to death. Should the deceased member also be survived by a dependent child or children under the age of eighteen years, or over said age if physically or mentally incapacitated, or a surviving child who is enrolled at a board-approved or accredited school or college under the conditions set forth in this Section, the additional benefit for each child shall be as set forth in Item (D)(3)(a)(ii) of this Section and shall be subject to the same conditions as to termination as set forth therein.

(2) Any member who is eligible for retirement based on length of service, including members drawing disability benefits, and irrespective of age in the case of the death of the member occurring subsequent to July 1, 1969, who does not leave a surviving spouse with whom he or she is living at the time of death, but who is survived by a dependent child or children, under the age of eighteen years or over said age if physically or mentally incapacitated, the board shall direct payment monthly to or for the child or children as set forth in Item (D)(3)(a)(iii) of this Section.

(3) Should the surviving spouse, or in the absence of a surviving spouse, a child or children, entitled to receive benefits under the provisions of this Subsection elect to receive a refund of the member's contributions in lieu of benefits, such choice must be specified in writing, properly notarized, and in the case of minority with the appropriate court authorization, to be filed with the board of trustees.

K. The board of trustees is authorized to use earnings on investments of the fund in excess of normal requirements or funding deposit account credit balances as determined by the actuary and approved by the board of trustees, to provide a permanent benefit increase for retired and disabled members and survivors who have been receiving benefits from the fund for one full calendar year prior to the granting of the increase.

(1)(a) The cost-of-living increase shall be in a monthly amount not less than two percent or more than three percent of the normal monthly benefit payable to the retiree, disability recipient, or survivor on the date the increase is granted, but shall not be less than twenty dollars per month.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Subsection to the contrary, no cost-of-living increase shall be granted in any fiscal year pursuant to this Subsection if a cost-of-living increase has been granted pursuant to this Subsection in the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(c)(i) Any member who retires on or after July 1, 2006, and before July 1, 2007, and who has not attained the age of sixty years shall be subject to a two-year waiting period from the date of retirement to become eligible for a cost-of-living increase.

(ii) Any member who retires on or after July 1, 2007, and who has not attained the age of sixty years shall be subject to a three-year waiting period from the date of retirement to become eligible for a cost-of-living increase.

(iii) Notwithstanding Items (i) and (ii) of this Subparagraph, any member who is retired and who attains the age of sixty years subsequent to retirement shall be eligible for a cost-of-living increase after one full year from the member's sixtieth birthday.

(iv) Any member retiring on or after attaining the age of sixty years shall be eligible for a cost-of-living increase after one full calendar year from the date of retirement.

(2) A person receiving a benefit utilizing the provisions of R.S. 11:142 governing reciprocal recognition of service agreements shall be granted a cost-of-living adjustment based upon that portion of the creditable service attributable to this system.

(3) A person receiving a benefit, who becomes sixty-five years of age during the calendar year prior to the granting of a supplemental cost-of-living adjustment as provided in R.S. 11:246 for benefit recipients sixty-five years of age or older, shall receive a lump sum pro rata payment for the number of months he was sixty-five years of age prior to the granting of the cost-of-living adjustment, in addition to the monthly supplemental payment authorized by R.S. 11:246.

L. Death benefits terminated because of remarriage as provided under the terms of this Section shall be due and payable to a widow if her subsequent marriage is terminated by death. Upon death of the second or subsequent spouse, the benefits shall be resumed; however, the benefits shall be suspended during the second or subsequent marriage.

M.(1)(a)(i) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in particular R.S. 11:242, the board of trustees is authorized to provide a permanent monthly cost-of-living adjustment for retirees, disability recipients, and survivors who would otherwise be eligible for a cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to Subsection K of this Section and who have been or would have been retired at least one full year on June 30, 2007.

(ii) The cost-of-living adjustment shall be payable in a monthly amount not to exceed two and one-half percent of the normal monthly benefit payable to the retiree, disability recipient, or survivor on the date the increase is granted, as provided in Subsection K of this Section. The dollar amount of such adjustment for any recipient shall not exceed five percent of the average monthly benefit in payment to service retirees as of the end of the preceding fiscal year.

(b) In addition, the board of trustees is authorized to provide an additional cost-of-living adjustment to all retirees, disability recipients, and survivors who are at least sixty-five years of age, which adjustment shall consist of an amount equal to two percent of the monthly benefit the member is receiving on the date the adjustment is granted.

(c) The authority of the board of trustees to provide the cost-of-living adjustments provided in this Paragraph shall become effective July 1, 2007, and the cost-of-living adjustments shall first be payable on that date. The authority of the board of trustees to provide such cost-of-living adjustments shall be nonrecurring, and the board of trustees shall not grant more than one cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph nor more than one adjustment pursuant to Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.

(d) The board, in any one fiscal year, may provide a cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to either Subparagraph (a) or (b) of this Paragraph; however, it shall not grant cost-of-living adjustments pursuant to both of these Subparagraphs within the same fiscal year.

(2) Effective July 1, 2006, all retirees who were full-time members of the pension and relief fund who retired on or before July 1, 1986, shall be eligible for a one-time permanent adjustment in their monthly benefit of seventy-five dollars, in addition to any other increases authorized or provided by law. Members who were part-time employees who retired on or before July 1, 1986, shall receive a permanent adjustment in their monthly benefit based upon their participation in relation to full-time employment. Members receiving a benefit based on reciprocal recognition of service shall receive an adjustment based on the ratio their years of service in the fund bears to their total years of service in all systems.

(3) No funds derived from the assessments against insurers pursuant to R.S. 22:1476 shall be used to pay any increased costs or increase in liability resulting from the provisions of this Subsection.

N. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any participant in the former Deferred Retirement Option Plan for this fund who has not severed employment and has not taken a distribution of the plan account may make a one-time, irrevocable election to rescind all or a portion of his participation period in the plan and return to active, contributing membership in the fund. A person who rescinds plan participation shall forfeit all accumulated plan benefits attributable to the portion of the participation period rescinded. He shall pay to the fund the employee contributions the fund would have received if he had not been a plan participant during the rescinded portion of his participation period together with any interest or other actuarial cost for such rescission. After he pays to the plan the required amount, the person shall be credited with service as if he had remained in active service continuously and had not participated in the plan during the rescinded portion of his participation period. The board shall be authorized to adopt uniform rules for the implementation of this Subsection in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The rescinding participant shall be required to contractually hold the system harmless in the event that a spouse, former spouse, or any other person ever successfully asserts a property right relative to the rescission of plan participation which has any adverse effect upon the fund.

Acts 1974, No. 321, §1; Acts 1977, No. 591, §1; Acts 1977, No. 694, §1; Acts 1977, No. 712, §1; Acts 1978, No. 727, §5; Acts 1979, No. 758, §1; Acts 1980, No. 180, §1; Acts 1981, No. 700, §1; Acts 1982, No. 189, §1; Acts 1983, No. 157, §1; Acts 1983, No. 216, §1; Acts 1983, No. 278, §1; Acts 1987, No. 742, §1; Acts 1988, No. 135, §1; Acts 1988, No. 136, §1; Acts 1989, No. 554, §1; Acts 1989, No. 555, §1; Acts 1990, No. 12, §1; Acts 1990, No. 572, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 33:1456 by Acts 1991, No. 74, §3, eff. June 25, 1991; Amended by Acts 1991, No. 66, §1, eff. July 1, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 402, §1, eff. July 1, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 402, §1, eff. July 1, 1991; Acts 1992, No. 895, §1, eff. July 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 751, §1; Acts 1995, No. 578, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 1113, §1, eff. July 1, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 1117, §1, eff. June 30, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1276, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1394, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 56, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 96, §1; Acts 1999, No. 25, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 1999, No. 496, §1, eff. June 30, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 621, §1, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2001, No. 867, §2, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2001, No. 911, §1, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 486, §1; Acts 2004, No. 26, §6; Acts 2004, No. 855, §1, eff. July 1, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 866, §1, eff. July 1, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 721, §1, eff. July 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 780, §1, eff. June 30, 2006; Acts 2007, No. 308, §1, eff. July 1, 2007; Acts 2008, No. 220, §4, eff. June 14, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 406, §1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 415, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2011, No. 120, §1, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 528, §1, eff. June 30, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 721, §1, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 170, §1, eff. June 30, 2013; Acts 2013, No. 231, §1, eff. June 30, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 791, §22; Acts 2014, No. 811, §4, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2016, No. 323, §1, eff. June 30, 2016.

NOTE: See Acts 2001, No. 867, §3 relative to termination of DROP program and eligibility for DROP and Back-DROP.

NOTE: See Acts 2003, No. 486, §2, relative to retroactive effect to June 30, 2002.

NOTE: See Acts 2004, No. 855, §2, making Act effective if and when Acts 2004, No. 782, becomes effective.

NOTE: Also see Acts 2004, No. 782, §2, relative to the Sheriffs' Pension and Relief Fund increasing the employee contribution rate to cover one-half of the additional costs of benefits provided by Acts 2004, No. 855 and 866.

NOTE: Acts 2014, No. 811 changed terminology referring to persons with disabilities throughout the La. Revised Statutes and codes of law, and included a listing of terms that were deleted and their respective successor terms (See Acts 2014, No. 811, §36). The Act provides that it is not the intent of the legislature that changes in terminology effected therein alter or affect in any way the substance, interpretation, or application of any law or administrative rule; further provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to expand or diminish any right of or benefit for any person provided by any law or administrative rule (See Acts 2014, No. 811, §35(C) and (D)).