(A) The System may develop and implement a program for the administration of a flexible benefits or "cafeteria" plan as defined by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for all employees covered by the health and dental insurance plan administered by the System. The plan may not decrease contributions paid to or benefits paid by the System.

The South Carolina Department of Highways and Public Transportation is herewith authorized to continue its independent cafeteria or flexible benefits pilot plan and to modify and implement the plan to accomplish maximum available benefits under Internal Revenue Section 125, until such time as the Comptroller General can convert Department of Transportation employees into the state cafeteria plan.

(B) Political subdivisions may develop and implement a program for the administration of a flexible benefits or "cafeteria" plan as defined by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for their employees. The plan may not decrease contributions paid to or benefits paid by the system. For political subdivisions that also participate in the plan adopted pursuant to subsection (A) of this section, any separate cafeteria plan adopted pursuant to this subsection may provide benefits in addition to, but shall not include, the specific types of benefits provided to employees under the plan adopted pursuant to subsection (A) of this section.

(C) An employer or coalition of employers working in concert may develop and implement a program for the administration of a flexible benefits or "cafeteria" plan as defined by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for their employees. The plan may not decrease contributions paid to or benefits paid by the system. For employers or coalition of employers working in concert, that also participate in the plan adopted pursuant to subsection (A) of this section, any separate cafeteria plan adopted pursuant to this subsection may provide benefits in addition to, but shall not include, the specific types of benefits provided to employees under the plan adopted pursuant to subsection (A) of this section.

HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 170, Part II, Section 18, eff June 22, 1987 (became law without Governor's signature); 1993 Act No. 181, Section 78, eff July 1, 1993; 2001 Act No. 62, Section 3, eff June 22, 2001; 2001 Act No. 62, Section 4, eff June 22, 2001.

Editor's Note

2001 Act No. 62, Section 5, provides:

"The implementation of the 'parallel' cafeteria plans authorized in Sections 3 and 4 of this act is contingent on a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that such 'parallel' plans may be tested alone for purposes of discrimination testing and not aggregated with the cafeteria plan maintained by the State."