City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 03
Chapter 03.05
Section 03.05.160
 

Title 03 Administration and Personnel

Chapter 03.05 Spokane Employees' Retirement System

Section 03.05.160 Allowance on Service Retirement, Tier 1

The provisions of this section govern the retirement benefits of members with eligibility under SMC 3.05.025(A) and who elect to retire under Tier 1.

  1. Normal Retirement Benefit.
    1. Subject to the minimum and maximum retirement benefits described in this section, a member’s annual normal retirement benefit is determined by multiplying two and fifteen one-hundredths percent (2.15%) of the member’s final compensation by the member’s years of creditable service exclusive of qualified military service, and a benefit purchased by the contributions of the City equal to one and two-thirds percent (1-2/3%) of the final compensation multiplied by the number of years of qualified military service, not to exceed five (5) years as this type of service is otherwise defined and provided for in this chapter. In no case can the normal retirement benefit exceed sixty-four and five-tenths percent (64.5%) of final compensation.
    1. A member shall be eligible to receive annual normal retirement benefits on or after the member’s normal retirement date pursuant to 3.05.130(B), provided the member has made application with the retirement system pursuant to 3.05.130(A) and has terminated active employment with the City.
  1. Accrued Retirement Benefit.

A member’s annual accrued retirement benefit is determined for any date by multiplying two and fifteen one-hundredths percent (2.15%) of the member’s final compensation by the member’s years of credited service. In no case can the annual accrued retirement benefit exceed sixty-four and five-tenths percent (64.5%) of final compensation.

  1. Vested Benefit.
    1. Any member who terminates active employment with the City will be eligible to receive a service retirement allowance at the age of fifty (50), provided at time of member’s termination, the member both:
      1. has at least five (5) years of City service; and
      1. elects to leave member’s accumulated contributions in the retirement system.
    1. Every member desiring to take advantage of this vesting provision must file a request with the retirement system when terminating active employment.
  1. Early Retirement.

A member may retire before the member’s normal retirement date under 3.05.130(B) if the member has, as of the desired retirement date, satisfied all of the following requirements:

    1. the member has attained the age of fifty (50);
    1. the member has completed five (5) years of City service;
    1. the member has applied for early retirement; and
    1. the member has terminated active employment with the City
  1. Early Retirement Benefit Calculation.

Early retirement benefits are calculated in the same manner as normal retirement benefits.

  1. Payment of Benefits.

After retirement, normal or early retirement benefits will be payable throughout the remainder of the member’s lifetime. However, if a member dies before the total of the retirement benefits paid to the member equals the member’s accumulated contributions at the time of retirement, and if the member has not elected an optional form of retirement benefit in accordance with SMC 3.05.210, an amount equal to the difference between the retirement benefits paid and the member’s accumulated contributions at the time of retirement will be paid to the member’s beneficiary.

  1. Ad Hoc Performance Adjustment.

The board is authorized to grant discretionary annual ad hoc performance adjustments effective July 1st of each fiscal year. The rate of the performance adjustment is determined by the board based upon financial, actuarial, and other data and is limited to a maximum of a three percent (3%) adjustment in any given fiscal year. The adjustment is noncompounding and based upon a retiree’s original pension amount. The board has adopted a board rule which contains further information on the necessary criteria for ad hoc performance adjustments.

Date Passed: Monday, January 8, 2018

Effective Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2018

ORD C35574 Section 10