Sec. 13. MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) Each person who becomes a firefighter before age 36 becomes a member of the fund if the person's application for membership is accepted by the board. In accepting employment as a firefighter, and on becoming a member of the fund, a firefighter agrees to make contributions required under this article of members of the fund who are in active service and is entitled to participate in the benefits of membership in the fund as provided by this article.
(b) At the time that physical examinations are administered on behalf of the municipality, each applicant must be provided written notice that a copy of the results of the examination will be forwarded to the board for the purpose of determining whether the applicant has a preexisting condition that would be relevant to any determination under Section 6 of this article. Not later than the 10th day after the date of a physical examination performed on an applicant for a beginning position in the fire department as required by Section 143.022, Local Government Code, the municipality shall provide to the board a copy of all documents resulting from the physical examination. The board may require additional physical examinations if necessary in determining the presence or absence of any preexisting condition. The fund shall pay the cost of any additional physical examination the board requires. The applicant's membership in the fund is effective on acceptance by the board.
(c) Subject to adjustments authorized by Section 13E or 13F of this article, each member in active service shall make contributions to the fund in an amount equal to 10.5 percent of the member's salary at the time of the contribution.
(c-1) In addition to the contribution under Subsection (c) of this section, each DROP participant, as identified by the fund to the municipality for purposes of this subsection, shall contribute to the fund an amount equal to 100 percent of the participant's unused leave pay that would otherwise be payable to the member. The fund shall credit any unused leave pay amount contributed by a DROP participant to the participant's DROP account.
(c-2) The governing body of the municipality shall deduct from the salary of each member the contribution required by this section and shall forward the contributions to the fund as soon as practicable.
(d) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 320 (S.B. 2190), Sec. 1.16, eff. July 1, 2017.
(e) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 320 (S.B. 2190), Sec. 1.16, eff. July 1, 2017.
(f) Money deducted from salaries or compensation as provided by this section and the payments and contributions provided by this section become a part of the fund of the municipality in which the contributing member serves at the time of the contribution. In accordance with Section 14(c) of this article, contributions under any qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement do not become part of the trust fund assets of the fund.
(g) On action of its governing body, a municipality may pick up members' contributions prescribed under Subsection (c) of this section for purposes of Section 414(h)(2) of the code. A member's salary is affected by this subsection only as this subsection relates to the computation of pension contributions and gross pay for federal tax purposes. The computation of pension benefits, severance pay, and other benefits is not affected.
(h) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 333, Sec. 13.
Structure Texas Statutes
Section 1A. Interpretation of Article
Section 1C. Alternative Retirement Plans
Section 1D. Requirements for Certain Cash Balance Retirement Plans
Section 2. Fund and Board of Trustees
Section 2A. Qualifications of Municipal Actuary
Section 2B. Report on Investments by Independent Investment Consultant
Section 3. Other Powers of the Board
Section 3A. Certain Alterations by Local Agreement
Section 4. Service Pension Benefits
Section 5. Deferred Retirement Option Plan
Section 5A. Post-Retirement Option Plan
Section 6. Disability Pension Benefits
Section 8. Deferred Pension at Age 50; Refund of Contributions
Section 9. Proof of Continued Disability
Section 10. Nonstatutory Benefit Increases
Section 10A. Annual Supplemental Benefit for Certain Retired Members and Eligible Survivors
Section 10B. Additional Lump-Sum Retirement or Death Benefit
Section 11. General Provisions for Calculation and Payment of Benefits
Section 12. Appeals of Benefit Decisions
Section 13. Membership and Member Contributions
Section 13A. Municipal Contributions
Section 13B. Risk Sharing Valuation Studies
Section 13C. Initial Risk Sharing Valuation Studies; Corridor Midpoint
Section 13D. Actuarial Experience Studies
Section 13H. State Pension Review Board; Report
Section 14. Internal Revenue Code Limitations
Section 15. Exemption of Benefits From Judicial Process
Section 16. Service Credit for Members Previously Members of Similar Funds
Section 17. Confidentiality of Information About Members or Beneficiaries