(a) Benefits.--Commencing with the first monthly annuity payment after June 30, 2002, any eligible benefit recipient shall be entitled to receive a special supplemental postretirement adjustment in the form of an adjustment to the monthly annuity payable from the system. This shall be in addition to the supplemental annuities provided for in sections 5708 (relating to supplemental annuities), 5708.1 (relating to additional supplemental annuities), 5708.2 (relating to further additional supplemental annuities), 5708.3 (relating to supplemental annuities commencing 1994), 5708.5 (relating to supplemental annuities commencing 1998), 5708.7 (relating to supplemental annuities commencing 2003) and the special supplemental postretirement adjustment provided for in section 5708.4 (relating to special supplemental postretirement adjustment).

(b) Calculation of adjustment.--The monthly amount of the special supplemental postretirement adjustment under this section shall be equal to one-twelfth of the difference between the sum of the maximum single life annuity, or, if a disability annuitant, the disability annuity, the member was eligible to receive on the effective date of retirement plus any annuity the member was eligible to receive pursuant to 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV (relating to retirement for school employees) on the effective date of retirement, compared to the maximum single life annuity, or disability annuity if applicable, that the member would have been eligible to receive had section 5303.2 (relating to election to convert school service to State service) been in effect on the annuitant's effective date of retirement. This difference is to be adjusted by and paid according to any applicable option factors for payment under an optional payment plan.

(c) Payment.--The special supplemental postretirement adjustment provided under this section shall be paid automatically unless the annuitant files a written notice with the board requesting that the additional monthly supplemental postretirement adjustment not be paid.

(d) Conditions.--The special supplemental postretirement adjustment provided under this section shall be payable under the same terms and conditions as provided under the option plan in effect as of July 1, 2002.

(e) Benefits paid to beneficiaries or survivors.--No special supplemental postretirement adjustment provided under this section shall be payable to the beneficiary or survivor annuitant of a member who dies before the effective date of this section.

(f) Future supplemental annuities.--The special supplemental postretirement adjustment under this section shall be included in the total annuity in determining all supplemental annuities enacted after the effective date of this section.

(g) Funding.--For the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2010, the additional liability for the increase in benefits provided in this section shall be funded in equal dollar annual installments over a period of ten years beginning July 1, 2003. For fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2010, the additional liability for the increase in benefits provided in this section shall be funded as part of the actuarial accrued liability as provided in section 5508 (relating to actuarial cost method).

(h) Eligible benefit recipient.--As used in this section, the term "eligible benefit recipient" means a person who is receiving a superannuation, withdrawal or disability annuity on the effective date of this section and who:

(1) terminated State service on or after July 1, 1999; and

(2) if immediately prior to termination was a State employee, would have qualified to convert credited service and transfer accumulated deductions from the Public School Employees' Retirement System to the system pursuant to section 5303.2.

The term also includes a member who is a vestee on the effective date of this section but who, if an annuitant, would qualify for the special supplemental postretirement adjustment under this section. In the case of a vestee, the special supplemental postretirement adjustment under this section shall be effective upon and calculated as of the effective date of retirement.

(Apr. 23, 2002, P.L.272, No.38, eff. imd.; Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1269, No.120, eff. imd.)

2010 Amendment. Act 120 amended subsec. (g).

2002 Amendment. Act 38 added section 5708.8.

Cross References. Section 5708.8 is referred to in sections 5507, 5508, 5708.7, 5938 of this title.