Sec. 14. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE LIMITATIONS. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a member may not accrue a benefit or allowance under this article in excess of an amount that, when added to all other pension benefits received under plans of the municipality that are qualified under Section 401 of the code, results in an annual benefit in excess of the applicable limits provided by Section 415 of the code. That accrual limitation applies only as long as satisfaction of Section 415 of the code is necessary to maintain the tax-qualified status of the fund under Section 401 of the code. Any benefit accruals limited under this subsection must be determined by a qualified actuary selected by the board.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the fund shall be administered in a manner that complies with the code, United States Treasury Department regulations, and Internal Revenue Service rulings and notices applicable to public retirement systems. The board shall adopt rules and amend or repeal conflicting rules to ensure compliance with this subsection.
(c) The board may establish and maintain a qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement, in accordance with Section 415(m) of the code, solely for the purpose of providing to members the amount of each member's pension benefit otherwise payable under the fund that exceeds the limitations on benefits imposed by Section 415 of the code. The board may maintain a separate trust solely for providing benefits under the arrangement or may maintain the arrangement on an unfunded basis through municipal contributions as benefits become payable. Benefits provided by that arrangement may not be paid from the trust fund assets that are available for payment of any other benefit under this article. Benefits under any qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement shall be paid or funded entirely through municipal contributions in an amount approved by the board. An election may not be provided at any time to a member, directly or indirectly, to defer compensation under the arrangement. The operation and administration of any qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement is the responsibility of the board, which has the same powers concerning the arrangement as are provided to the board under this article concerning the fund.
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