Chapter 5505 | Highway Patrol Retirement System

Section 5505.01 | Highway patrol retirement system definitions.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Employee" means any qualified employee in the uniform division of the state highway patrol, any qualified employee in the radio division hired prior to November 2, 1989, and any state highway patrol cadet attending training school pursuant to section 5503.05 of the Revised Code whose attendance at the school begins on or after June 30, 1991. "Employee" includes the superintendent of the state highway patrol. In all cases of doubt, the state highway patrol retirement board shall determine whether any person is an employee as defined in this division, and the decision of the board is final.

(B) "Prior service" means all service rendered as an employee of the state highway patrol prior to September 5, 1941, to the extent credited by the board, provided that in no case shall prior service include service rendered prior to November 15, 1933.

(C) "Total service" means all service rendered by an employee to the extent credited by the board. Total service includes all of the following:

(1) Contributing service rendered by the employee since last becoming a member of the state highway patrol retirement system;

(2) All prior service credit;

(3) Restored service credit as provided in this chapter;

(4) Military service credit purchased under division (D) of section 5505.16 or section 5505.25 of the Revised Code;

(5) Credit granted under division (C) of section 5505.17 or section 5505.201, 5505.40, or 5505.402 of the Revised Code;

(6) Credit for any period, not to exceed three years, during which the member was out of service and receiving benefits under Chapters 4121. and 4123. of the Revised Code.

(D) "Regular interest" means interest compounded at rates designated from time to time by the retirement board.

(E) "Plan" means the provisions of this chapter.

(F) "Retirement system" or "system" means the state highway patrol retirement system created and established in the plan.

(G) "Contributing service" means all service rendered by a member since September 4, 1941, for which deductions were made from the member's salary under the plan.

(H) "Retirement board" or "board" means the state highway patrol retirement board provided for in the plan.

(I) Except as provided in sections 5505.16, 5505.162, and 5505.18 of the Revised Code, "member" means any employee included in the membership of the retirement system, whether or not rendering contributing service.

(J) "Retirant" means any member who has retired under section 5505.16 or 5505.18 of the Revised Code.

(K) "Accumulated contributions" means the sum of the following credited to a member's individual account in the employees' savings fund:

(1) All amounts deducted from the salary of the member;

(2) All amounts paid by the member to purchase state highway patrol retirement system service credit pursuant to this chapter or other state law.

(L)(1) Except as provided in division (L)(2) of this section, "final average salary" means the average of the highest salary paid a member during any five consecutive or nonconsecutive years.

If a member has less than five years of contributing service, the member's final average salary shall be the average of the annual rates of salary paid to the member during the member's total years of contributing service.

(2) If a member is credited with service under division (C)(6) of this section or division (D) of section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, the member's final average salary shall be the average of the highest salary that was paid to the member or would have been paid to the member, had the member been rendering contributing service, during any five consecutive or nonconsecutive years. If that member has less than five years of total service, the member's final average salary shall be the average of the annual rates of salary that were paid to the member or would have been paid to the member during the member's years of total service.

(M) "Pension" means an annual amount payable by the retirement system throughout the life of a person or as otherwise provided in the plan.

(N) "Pension reserve" means the present value of any pension, or benefit in lieu of any pension, computed upon the basis of mortality and other tables of experience and interest the board shall from time to time adopt.

(O) "Deferred pension" means a pension for which an eligible member of the system has made application and which is payable as provided in division (A) or (B) of section 5505.16 of the Revised Code.

(P) "Retirement" means retirement as provided in sections 5505.16 and 5505.18 of the Revised Code.

(Q) "Fiduciary" means any of the following:

(1) A person who exercises any discretionary authority or control with respect to the management of the system, or with respect to the management or disposition of its assets;

(2) A person who renders investment advice for a fee, direct or indirect, with respect to money or property of the system;

(3) A person who has any discretionary authority or responsibility in the administration of the system.

(R)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division, "salary" means all compensation, wages, and other earnings paid to a member by reason of employment but without regard to whether any of the compensation, wages, or other earnings are treated as deferred income for federal income tax purposes. Salary includes all of the following:

(a) Payments for shift differential, hazard duty, professional achievement, and longevity;

(b) Payments for occupational injury leave, personal leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, administrative leave, and vacation leave used by the member;

(c) Payments made under a disability leave program sponsored by the state for which the state is required by section 5505.151 of the Revised Code to make periodic employer and employee contributions to the retirement system.

(2) "Salary" does not include any of the following:

(a) Payments resulting from the conversion of accrued but unused sick leave, personal leave, compensatory time, and vacation leave;

(b) Payments made by the state to provide life insurance, sickness, accident, endowment, health, medical, hospital, dental, or surgical coverage, or other insurance for the member or the member's family, or amounts paid by the state to the member in lieu of providing that insurance;

(c) Payments for overtime work;

(d) Incidental benefits, including lodging, food, laundry, parking, or services furnished by the state, use of property or equipment of the state, and reimbursement for job-related expenses authorized by the state including moving and travel expenses and expenses related to professional development;

(e) Payments made to or on behalf of a member that are in excess of the annual compensation that may be taken into account by the retirement system under division (a)(17) of section 401 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 401 (a)(17), as amended;

(f) Payments made under division (B), (C), or (E) of section 5923.05 of the Revised Code, Section 4 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 3 of the 119th general assembly, Section 3 of Amended Substitute Senate Bill No. 164 of the 124th general assembly, or Amended Substitute House Bill No. 405 of the 124th general assembly.

(3) The retirement board shall determine by rule whether any compensation, wages, or earnings not enumerated in this division are salary, and its decision shall be final.

(S) "Actuary" means an individual who satisfies all of the following requirements:

(1) Is a member of the American academy of actuaries;

(2) Is an associate or fellow of the society of actuaries;

(3) Has a minimum of five years' experience in providing actuarial services to public retirement plans.

Section 5505.02 | State highway patrol pension fund established - membership mandatory.

• Effective: February 21, 1967
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 107th General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement system is hereby established for the state highway patrol employees, as defined in division (A) of section 5505.01 of the Revised Code.

Membership in the retirement system includes all state highway patrol employees, as defined in section 5505.01 of the Revised Code, and such membership is mandatory for such employees.

Section 5505.03 | Creation of funds.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 42 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The funds created by this section are the "employees' savings fund," "employer's accumulation fund," "pension reserve fund," "survivors' benefit fund," "income fund," and "expense fund." When reference is made to any of such funds, such reference is made to each as a separate legal entity; provided that the moneys in the funds may be intermingled for deposit and investment purposes.

(B) The employees' savings fund is the fund in which shall be accumulated the contributions deducted from the salaries of members, except as provided in division (B)(1)(b) of section 5505.54 of the Revised Code. Any refunds of accumulated contributions, as provided in the plan, shall be paid from such fund. Upon a member's retirement, the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit in the fund shall be transferred to the pension reserve fund. If a pension is payable on account of the death of a member, the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit in the employees' savings fund shall be transferred to the survivors' benefit fund.

(C) The employer's accumulation fund is the fund in which shall be accumulated the state's contribution to the state highway patrol retirement system and the amounts contributed under division (B)(1)(b) of section 5505.54 of the Revised Code. Upon a member's retirement the difference between the member's pension reserve and the member's accumulated contributions shall be transferred to the pension reserve fund. If a pension is payable on account of a member's death occurring, the difference between the pension reserve for that pension and the member's accumulated contributions shall be transferred to the survivors' benefit fund.

(D) The pension reserve fund is the fund from which shall be paid all pensions on account of members. If a disability retirant returns to the employ of the state highway patrol, the disability retirant's pension reserve at that time shall be transferred to the employees' savings fund and the employer's accumulation fund in the same proportion as the pension reserve was originally transferred to the pension reserve fund.

(E) The survivors' benefit fund is the fund from which shall be paid all pensions, payable under section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1) The income fund is the fund to which shall be credited all interest, dividends, distributions, and other income derived from deposits and investments of moneys of the retirement system, all gifts and bequests to the system, all transfers from the employees' savings fund because of lack of claimant, and any other moneys the disposition of which is not otherwise provided for in the plan.

(2) If the balance in the income fund exceeds the requirements of the fund, the state highway patrol retirement board may transfer amounts from the income fund to meet special requirements of the various other funds of the retirement system.

(G) The expense fund is the fund from which the expense of the administration of this chapter shall be paid, exclusive of amounts payable as retirement allowances and as other benefits. The state highway patrol retirement board shall estimate annually the amount to be provided in the expense fund and such amount shall be transferred from the income fund. If such amount is insufficient during any year, the board is authorized to transfer the amount of such insufficiency from the income fund.

Section 5505.04 | State highway patrol retirement board organization and rules.

• Effective: August 18, 2019
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 221 - 132nd General Assembly

(A)(1) The general administration and management of the state highway patrol retirement system and the making effective of this chapter are hereby vested in the state highway patrol retirement board. The board may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, contract and be contracted with, and do all things necessary to carry out this chapter.

The board shall consist of the following members:

(a) The superintendent of the state highway patrol;

(b) Two retirant members who reside in this state;

(c) Five employee-members;

(d) One member, known as the treasurer of state's investment designee, who shall be appointed by the treasurer of state for a term of four years and who shall have the following qualifications:

(i) The member is a resident of this state.

(ii) Within the three years immediately preceding the appointment, the member has not been employed by the public employees retirement system, police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, school employees retirement system, or state highway patrol retirement system or by any person, partnership, or corporation that has provided to one of those retirement systems services of a financial or investment nature, including the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(iii) The member has direct experience in the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(iv) The member is not currently employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state.

(e) Two investment expert members, who shall be appointed to four-year terms. One investment expert member shall be appointed by the governor, and one investment expert member shall be jointly appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. Each investment expert member shall have the following qualifications:

(i) Each investment expert member shall be a resident of this state.

(ii) Within the three years immediately preceding the appointment, each investment expert member shall not have been employed by the public employees retirement system, police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, school employees retirement system, or state highway patrol retirement system or by any person, partnership, or corporation that has provided to one of those retirement systems services of a financial or investment nature, including the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(iii) Each investment expert member shall have direct experience in the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(2) The board shall annually elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. The vice-chairperson shall act as chairperson in the absence of the chairperson. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum. The board shall meet not less than once each year, upon sufficient notice to the members. All meetings of the board shall be open to the public except executive sessions as set forth in division (G) of section 121.22 of the Revised Code, and any portions of any sessions discussing medical records or the degree of disability of a member excluded from public inspection by this section.

(3) Any member appointed under this section shall hold office until the end of the member's term or, if later, the date the member's successor takes office.

(B) The attorney general shall prescribe procedures for the adoption of rules authorized under this chapter, consistent with the provision of section 111.15 of the Revised Code under which all rules shall be filed in order to be effective. Such procedures shall establish methods by which notice of proposed rules are given to interested parties and rules adopted by the board published and otherwise made available. When it files a rule with the joint committee on agency rule review pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code, the board shall submit to the Ohio retirement study council a copy of the full text of the rule, and if applicable, a copy of the rule summary and fiscal analysis required by division (B) of section 106.024 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) As used in this division, "personal history record" means information maintained by the board on an individual who is a member, former member, retirant, or beneficiary that includes the address, electronic mail address, telephone number, social security number, record of contributions, correspondence with the system, and other information the board determines to be confidential.

(2) The records of the board shall be open to public inspection and may be made available in printed or electronic format, except for the following which shall be excluded: the member's, former member's, retirant's, or beneficiary's personal history record and the amount of a monthly allowance or benefit paid to a retirant, beneficiary, or survivor, except with the written authorization of the individual concerned.

(D) All medical reports and recommendations are privileged except as follows:

(1) Copies of such medical reports or recommendations shall be made available to the individual's personal physician, attorney, or authorized agent upon written release received from such individual or such individual's agent, or when necessary for the proper administration of the fund to the board-assigned physician.

(2) Documentation required by section 2929.193 of the Revised Code shall be provided to a court holding a hearing under that section.

(E) Notwithstanding the exceptions to public inspection in division (C)(2) of this section, the board may furnish the following information:

(1) If a member, former member, or retirant is subject to an order issued under section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or an order issued under division (A) or (B) of section 2929.192 of the Revised Code or is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, on written request of a prosecutor as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to the prosecutor the information requested from the individual's personal history record.

(2) Pursuant to a court order issued under Chapters 3119., 3121., and 3123. of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to a court or child support enforcement agency the information required under those chapters.

(3) At the written request of any nonprofit organization or association providing services to retirement system members, retirants, or beneficiaries, the board shall provide to the organization or association a list of the names and addresses of members, former members, retirants, or beneficiaries if the organization or association agrees to use such information solely in accordance with its stated purpose of providing services to such individuals and not for the benefit of other persons, organizations, or associations. The costs of compiling, copying, and mailing the list shall be paid by such entity.

(4) Within fourteen days after receiving from the director of job and family services a list of the names and social security numbers of recipients of public assistance pursuant to section 5101.181 of the Revised Code, the board shall inform the auditor of state of the name, current or most recent employer address, and social security number of each member whose name and social security number are the same as those of a person whose name or social security number was submitted by the director. The board and its employees, except for purposes of furnishing the auditor of state with information required by this section, shall preserve the confidentiality of recipients of public assistance in compliance with section 5101.181 of the Revised Code.

(5) The system shall comply with orders issued under section 3105.87 of the Revised Code.

On the written request of an alternate payee, as defined in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code, the system shall furnish to the alternate payee information on the amount and status of any amounts payable to the alternate payee under an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code.

(6) At the request of any person, the board shall make available to the person copies of all documents, including resumes, in the board's possession regarding filling a vacancy of an employee member or retirant member of the board. The person who made the request shall pay the cost of compiling, copying, and mailing the documents. The information described in this division is a public record.

(7) The system shall provide the notice required by section 5505.263 of the Revised Code to the prosecutor assigned to the case.

(8) The system may provide information requested by the United States social security administration, United States centers for medicare and medicaid, public employees retirement system, Ohio public employees deferred compensation program, Ohio police and fire pension fund, school employees retirement system, state teachers retirement system, or Cincinnati retirement system.

(F) A statement that contains information obtained from the system's records that is certified and signed by an officer of the retirement system and to which the system's official seal is affixed, or copies of the system's records to which the signature and seal are attached, shall be received as true copies of the system's records in any court or before any officer of this state.

(G) The board may maintain records in printed or electronic format.

Section 5505.041 | Election to board - retirant member eligibility - terms.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

All elections for retirant member and employee members of the state highway patrol retirement board shall be held under the direction of the board in accordance with rules adopted under section 5505.047 of the Revised Code. A person who at the time of retirement is an employee member of the board is not eligible to become a retirant member of the board until three years after the person's retirement date. Service and disability retirants may vote in elections for the retirant member of the board. Contributing members may vote in elections for the employee member of the board.

On certification of the election results in accordance with rules adopted under section 5505.047 of the Revised Code, the person elected as a retirant member of the board or an employee member of the board shall serve a four-year term beginning on the first day of August following the election.

The initial election of the second retirant-member shall be held at the first election that occurs later than ninety days after the effective date of this section. The subsequent term shall commence on the first day of August of the fourth year thereafter.

Section 5505.042 | Filing of vacancies by election.

• Effective: August 4, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 25 - 126th General Assembly

Except as provided in section 5505.043 of the Revised Code, any vacancy occurring in the term of a retirant member of the state highway patrol retirement board or an employee member of the board shall be filled by an election conducted in the same manner as other retirant member and employee member elections under section 5505.041 of the Revised Code. On certification of the election results in accordance with rules adopted under section 5505.047 of the Revised Code, the retirant member or employee member elected shall hold office until the first day of the new term that follows the next board election that occurs not less than ninety days after the member's election.

Section 5505.043 | Election not required where candidate unopposed.

• Effective: April 6, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 272 - 126th General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement board is not required to hold an election for a position on the board as a retirant member or employee member if only one candidate has been nominated for the position in accordance with rules governing the election adopted under section 5505.047 of the Revised Code. The candidate shall take office as if elected and the term of office shall be four years beginning in August of the year the candidate was nominated.

(B) The board is not required to hold an election for a vacated position on the board as a retirant member or employee member if either of the following is the case:

(1) Only one candidate has been nominated for the vacancy in accordance with rules governing the election adopted under section 5505.047 of the Revised Code, in which case the candidate shall fill the unexpired term.

(2) Less than ninety days remain in the member's term on the day that member's position becomes vacant.

Section 5505.044 | Candidate campaign finance statements - donor statement of independent expenditures.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Campaign committee" means a candidate or a combination of two or more persons authorized by a candidate to receive contributions and in-kind contributions and make expenditures on behalf of the candidate.

(2) "Candidate" means an individual who has been nominated in accordance with rules adopted under section 5505.047 of the Revised Code for election to the state highway patrol retirement board or who is seeking to be elected to fill a vacancy on the board pursuant to section 5505.042 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Contribution" means a loan, gift, deposit, forgiveness of indebtedness, donation, advance, payment, transfer of funds or transfer of anything of value including a transfer of funds from an inter vivos or testamentary trust or decedent's estate, and the payment by any person other than the person to whom the services are rendered for the personal services of another person, which contribution is made, received, or used for the purpose of influencing the results of an election to the state highway patrol retirement board under section 5505.041 or 5505.042 of the Revised Code or the results of an election to fill a vacancy on the board pursuant to section 5505.042 of the Revised Code. "Contribution" does not include:

(a) Services provided without compensation by individuals volunteering a portion or all of their time on behalf of a person;

(b) Ordinary home hospitality;

(c) The personal expenses of a volunteer paid for by that volunteer campaign worker.

(4) "Election day" means the following, as appropriate to the situation:

(a) The last day that ballots for an election to the state highway patrol retirement board under section 5505.041 or 5505.042 of the Revised Code may be returned in order for the ballot to be counted;

(b) If, pursuant to section 5505.043 of the Revised Code, no election is held, the last day that ballots would have been required to be returned in order to be counted if an election was to be held under section 5505.041 or 5505.042 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Expenditure" means the disbursement or use of a contribution for the purpose of influencing the results of an election to the state highway patrol retirement board under section 5505.041 or 5505.042 of the Revised Code or the results of an election to fill a vacancy on the board pursuant to section 5505.042 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure by an individual, partnership, or other entity advocating the election or defeat of an identified candidate or candidates, that is not made with the consent of, in coordination, cooperation, or consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of any candidate or candidates or of the campaign committee or agent of the candidate or candidates. An independent expenditure shall not be construed as being a contribution. As used in division (A)(6) of this section:

(a) "Advocating" means any communication containing a message advocating election or defeat.

(b) "Identified candidate" means that the name of the candidate appears, a photograph or drawing of the candidate appears, or the identity of the candidate is otherwise apparent by unambiguous reference.

(c) "Made in coordination, cooperation, or consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate or the campaign committee or agent of the candidate" means made pursuant to any arrangement, coordination, or direction by the candidate, the candidate's campaign committee, or the candidate's agent prior to the publication, distribution, display, or broadcast of the communication. An expenditure is presumed to be so made when it is any of the following:

(i) Based on information about the candidate's plans, projects, or needs provided to the person making the expenditure by the candidate, or by the candidate's campaign committee or agent, with a view toward having an expenditure made;

(ii) Made by or through any person who is, or has been, authorized to raise or expend funds, who is, or has been, an officer of the candidate's campaign committee, or who is, or has been, receiving any form of compensation or reimbursement from the candidate or the candidate's campaign committee or agent;

(iii) Made by a political party in support of a candidate, unless the expenditure is made by a political party to conduct voter registration or voter education efforts.

(d) "Agent" means any person who has actual oral or written authority, either express or implied, to make or to authorize the making of expenditures on behalf of a candidate, or means any person who has been placed in a position with the candidate's campaign committee or organization such that it would reasonably appear that in the ordinary course of campaign-related activities the person may authorize expenditures.

(7) "In-kind contribution" means anything of value other than money that is used to influence the results of an election to the state highway patrol retirement board under section 5505.041 or 5505.042 of the Revised Code or the results of an election to fill a vacancy on the board pursuant to section 5505.042 of the Revised Code or is transferred to or used in support of or in opposition to a candidate and that is made with the consent of, in coordination, cooperation, or consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of the benefited candidate. The financing of the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in whole or in part, of any broadcast or of any written, graphic, or other form of campaign materials prepared by the candidate, the candidate's campaign committee, or their authorized agents is an in-kind contribution to the candidate and an expenditure by the candidate.

(8) "Personal expenses" includes ordinary expenses for accommodations, clothing, food, personal motor vehicle or airplane, and home telephone.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, each candidate who, or whose campaign committee, receives contributions or in-kind contributions totaling one thousand dollars or more or has expenditures totaling one thousand dollars or more in connection with the candidate's efforts to be elected to the state highway patrol retirement board shall file with the secretary of state two complete, accurate, and itemized statements setting forth in detail the contributions, in-kind contributions, and expenditures. The statements shall be filed regardless of whether an election is held or, pursuant to section 5505.043 of the Revised Code, an election is not held. The statements shall be made on a form prescribed under section 111.30 of the Revised Code. Every expenditure shall be vouched for by a receipted bill, stating the purpose of the expenditures, that shall be filed with the statement; a canceled check with a notation of the purpose of the expenditure is a receipted bill for purposes of this division.

The first statement shall be filed not later than four p.m. on the day that is twelve days before election day. The second statement shall be filed not sooner than the day that is eight days after election day and not later than thirty-eight days after election day. The first statement shall reflect contributions and in-kind contributions received and expenditures made to the close of business on the twentieth day before election day. The second statement shall reflect contributions and in-kind contributions received and expenditures made during the period beginning on the nineteenth day before election day and ending on the close of business on the seventh day after election day.

(C) Each individual, partnership, or other entity who makes an independent expenditure in connection with the candidate's efforts to be elected to the state highway patrol retirement board shall file with the secretary of state two complete, accurate, and itemized statements setting forth in detail the independent expenditures. The statements shall be filed regardless of whether an election is held or, pursuant to section 5505.043 of the Revised Code, an election is not held. The statements shall be made on a form prescribed under section 111.30 of the Revised Code.

The first statement shall be filed not later than four p.m. on the day that is twelve days before election day. The second statement shall be filed not sooner than the day that is eight days after election day and not later than thirty-eight days after election day. The first statement shall reflect independent expenditures made to the close of business on the twentieth day before election day. The second statement shall reflect independent expenditures made during the period beginning on the nineteenth day before election day and ending on the close of business on the seventh day after election day.

(D) Each candidate who, or whose campaign committee, receives a contribution or in-kind contribution or makes an expenditure in connection with the candidate's efforts to be elected to fill a vacancy in the public employees retirement board pursuant to section 5505.042 of the Revised Code shall file with the secretary of state a complete, accurate, and itemized statement setting forth in detail the contributions, in-kind contributions, and expenditures. The statement shall be made on a form prescribed under section 111.30 of the Revised Code. Every expenditure shall be vouched for by a receipted bill, stating the purpose of the expenditures, that shall be filed with the statement; a canceled check with a notation of the purpose of the expenditure is a receipted bill for purposes of this division.

The statement shall be filed within thirty-eight days after the day the candidate takes office. The statement shall reflect contributions and in-kind contributions received and expenditures made to the close of business on the seventh day after the day the candidate takes office.

Section 5505.045 | Filing of statements - prohibited campaign activities.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) No person shall knowingly fail to file a complete and accurate campaign finance statement or independent expenditure statement in accordance with section 5505.044 of the Revised Code.

(B) No person, during the course of a person seeking nomination for, and during any campaign for, election to the state highway patrol retirement board, shall knowingly and with intent to affect the nomination or the outcome of the campaign do any of the following by means of campaign materials, an advertisement on radio or television or in a newspaper or periodical, a public speech, press release, or otherwise:

(1) With regard to a candidate, identify the candidate in a manner that implies that the candidate is a member of the board or use the term "re-elect" when the candidate is not currently a member of the board;

(2) Make a false statement concerning the formal schooling or training completed or attempted by a candidate; a degree, diploma, certificate, scholarship, grant, award, prize, or honor received, earned, or held by a candidate; or the period of time during which a candidate attended any school, college, community technical school, or institution;

(3) Make a false statement concerning the professional, occupational, or vocational licenses held by a candidate, or concerning any position the candidate held for which the candidate received a salary or wages;

(4) Make a false statement that a candidate or board member has been indicted or convicted of a theft offense, extortion, or other crime involving financial corruption or moral turpitude;

(5) Make a statement that a candidate has been indicted for any crime or has been the subject of a finding by the Ohio elections commission without disclosing the outcome of any legal proceedings resulting from the indictment or finding;

(6) Make a false statement that a candidate or board member has a record of treatment or confinement for mental disorder;

(7) Make a false statement that a candidate or board member has been subjected to military discipline for criminal misconduct or dishonorably discharged from the armed services;

(8) Falsely identify the source of a statement, issue statements under the name of another person without authorization, or falsely state the endorsement of or opposition to a candidate by a person or publication;

(9) Make a false statement concerning the voting record of a candidate or board member;

(10) Post, publish, circulate, distribute, or otherwise disseminate a false statement concerning a candidate, either knowing the same to be false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not, if the statement is designed to promote the election, nomination, or defeat of the candidate.

Section 5505.046 | Complaint alleging violation of RC 5505.045 - procedure - fine.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

The secretary of state, or any person acting on personal knowledge and subject to the penalties of perjury, may file a complaint with the Ohio elections commission alleging a violation of section 5505.045 of the Revised Code. The complaint shall be made on a form prescribed and provided by the commission.

On receipt of a complaint under this section, the commission shall hold a hearing open to the public to determine whether the violation alleged in the complaint has occurred. The commission may administer oaths and issue subpoenas to any person in the state compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, accounts, and reports. On the refusal of any person to obey a subpoena or to be sworn or to answer as a witness, the commission may apply to the court of common pleas of Franklin county under section 2705.03 of the Revised Code. The court shall hold contempt proceedings in accordance with Chapter 2705. of the Revised Code.

The commission shall provide the person accused of the violation at least seven days prior notice of the time, date, and place of the hearing. The accused may be represented by an attorney and shall have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine witnesses.

At the hearing, the commission shall determine whether the violation alleged in the complaint has occurred. If the commission determines that a violation of division (A) of section 5505.045 of the Revised Code has occurred, the commission shall either impose a fine under section 5505.99 of the Revised Code or enter a finding that good cause has been shown not to impose the fine. If the commission determines that a violation of division (B) of section 5505.045 of the Revised Code has occurred, the commission shall impose the fine described in section 5505.99 of the Revised Code, refer the matter to the appropriate prosecutor, or enter a finding that good cause has been shown to not impose a fine or refer the matter to the appropriate prosecutor.

Section 5505.047 | Adoption of election rules - certification of nominating petitions and election results.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol board, after consultation with the secretary of state, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, governing all of the following:

(1) The administration of elections of members of the board under section 5505.041 of the Revised Code and elections held under section 5505.042 of the Revised Code to fill vacancies on the board;

(2) Nominating petitions for the elections;

(3) Certification of the validity of nominating petitions for the elections;

(4) Certification of the results of the elections.

(B) The board may contract with the secretary of state or an independent firm to administer the elections, certify the validity of nominating petitions, and certify the results of the elections. The secretary of state and the independent firm shall perform these services in accordance with the rules adopted under division (A) of this section. Notwithstanding section 5505.04 of the Revised Code, the board shall provide information necessary for the secretary of state or the independent firm to certify the election. If the board contracts with an independent firm to administer an election, the secretary of state may audit the election.

Section 5505.048 | Disqualification of convicted member - misconduct in office - removal procedure.

• Effective: April 6, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 272 - 126th General Assembly

(A) The office of an employee member or retirant member of the state highway patrol retirement board who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony, a theft offense as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, or a violation of section 102.02, 102.03, 102.04, 2921.02, 2921.11, 2921.13, 2921.31, 2921.41, 2921.42, 2921.43, or 2921.44 of the Revised Code shall be deemed vacant. A person who has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of an offense of that nature is ineligible for election to the office of employee member or retirant member of the state highway patrol retirement board.

(B) A member of the state highway patrol retirement board who willfully and flagrantly exercises authority or power not authorized by law, refuses or willfully neglects to enforce the law or to perform any official duty imposed by law, or is guilty of gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, drunkenness, misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance is guilty of misconduct in office. On complaint and hearing in the manner provided for in this section, the board member shall have judgment of forfeiture of the office with all its emoluments entered against the board member, creating in the office a vacancy to be filled as provided by law.

(C) Proceedings for removal of a state retirement system board member on any of the grounds enumerated in division (B) of this section shall be commenced by filing with the court of common pleas of the county in which the board member resides a written complaint specifically setting forth the charge. The complaint shall be accepted if signed by the governor or signed as follows:

(1) If the complaint is against an employee member of the board, the complaint must be signed by a number of members of the retirement system that equals at least the following and must include signatures of at least twenty employee members residing in at least five different counties:

(a) If the employee member was most recently elected in accordance with division (C)(2) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code, ten per cent of the number of contributing members of the system who voted in that election;

(b) If the employee member was most recently elected to the board pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code or took office in accordance with division (C)(4) of that section, ten per cent of the number of contributing members of the system who voted in the most recent election held in accordance with division (C)(2) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code for that employee member position on the board.

(2) If the complaint is against the retirant member of the board, the complaint must be signed by a number of service and disability retirants that equals at least the following and must include signatures of at least twenty service and disability members residing in at least five different counties:

(a) If the retirant member was most recently elected in accordance with division (C)(1) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code, ten per cent of the number of service and disability retirants who voted in that election;

(b) If the retirant member was most recently elected to the board pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code or took office in accordance with division (C)(4) of that section, ten per cent of the number of service and disability retirants who voted in the most recent election held in accordance with division (C)(1) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code for that retirant member position on the board.

(D) The clerk of the court of common pleas in which a complaint against a board member is filed under division (C) of this section shall do both of the following with respect to the complaint:

(1) Submit the signatures obtained pursuant to division (C) of this section to the board for purposes of verifying the validity of the signatures. The board shall verify the validity of the signatures and report its findings to the court.

(2) Cause a copy of the complaint to be served on the board member at least ten days before the hearing on the complaint. The court shall hold a public hearing not later than thirty days after the filing of the complaint. The court may subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance in the same manner as in civil cases. Process shall be served by the sheriff of the county in which the witness resides. Witness fees and other fees in connection with the proceedings shall be the same as in civil cases. The court may suspend the board member pending the hearing.

If the court finds that one or more of the charges in the complaint are true, it shall make a finding for removal of the board member. The court's finding shall include a full, detailed statement of the reasons for the removal. The finding shall be filed with the clerk of the court and be made a matter of public record.

The board member has the right to appeal to the court of appeals.

(E) No individual who has been removed from the board pursuant to this section shall be eligible to fill an elective or appointed position as a member of the board.

Section 5505.049 | Members with excessive travel expenses ineligible for another term.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

A person who served as an elected or appointed member of the state highway patrol retirement board for one or more entire fiscal years in fiscal years 2000, 2001, or 2002 is ineligible for re-election or reappointment to the board if the board paid travel-related expenses of the person or reimbursed the person for travel-related expenses that averaged more than ten thousand dollars annually for those fiscal years.

Section 5505.05 | Oath - expenses - liability insurance.

• Effective: August 25, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 226 - 121st General Assembly

(A) Each member of the state highway patrol retirement board, upon appointment or election, shall take an oath of office that he will support the constitutions of the United States and this state, that he will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the board, and that he will not knowingly violate or willfully permit the violation of any law applicable to this chapter. The oath shall be subscribed to by the member making it, certified by the officer before whom it is taken, and immediately filed in the office of the secretary of state.

(B) The members of the board shall serve without compensation, except that they shall suffer no loss because of absence from their regular employment while engaged in official duties as board members. The members of the board shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses from the expense fund.

(C) The board may secure insurance coverage designed to indemnify board members and employees for their actions or conduct in the performance of official duties, and may pay required premiums for such coverage from the expense fund.

(D) The board shall adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code establishing a policy for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by board members in the performance of their official duties. As part of any audit performed under Chapter 117. of the Revised Code, an inquiry shall be made into whether board members have complied with these rules.

(E) No board member shall accept payment or reimbursement for travel expenses, other than for meals and other food and beverages provided to the member, from any source other than the expense fund. Except in the case of an emergency, no out-of-state travel expenses shall be reimbursed unless approved in advance by a majority of the board at a regular board meeting.

Section 5505.06 | Investment and fiduciary duties of state highway patrol retirement board.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The members of the state highway patrol retirement board shall be the trustees of the funds created by section 5505.03 of the Revised Code. The board shall have full power to invest the funds. The board and other fiduciaries shall discharge their duties with respect to the funds solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries; for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the system; with care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with these matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims; and by diversifying the investments of the system so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the circumstances it is clearly prudent not to do so.

To facilitate investment of the funds, the board may establish a partnership, trust, limited liability company, corporation, including a corporation exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code, 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 1, as amended, or any other legal entity authorized to transact business in this state.

(B) In exercising its fiduciary responsibility with respect to the investment of the funds, it shall be the intent of the board to give consideration to investments that enhance the general welfare of the state and its citizens where the investments offer quality, return, and safety comparable to other investments currently available to the board. In fulfilling this intent, equal consideration shall be given to investments otherwise qualifying under this section that involve minority owned and controlled firms and firms owned and controlled by women, either alone or in joint venture with other firms.

The board shall adopt, in regular meeting, policies, objectives, or criteria for the operation of the investment program that include asset allocation targets and ranges, risk factors, asset class benchmarks, time horizons, total return objectives, and performance evaluation guidelines. In adopting policies and criteria for the selection of agents with whom the board may contract for the administration of the funds, the board shall comply with sections 5505.062 and 5505.064 of the Revised Code and shall also give equal consideration to minority owned and controlled firms, firms owned and controlled by women, and joint ventures involving minority owned and controlled firms and firms owned and controlled by women that otherwise meet the policies and criteria established by the board. Amendments and additions to the policies and criteria shall be adopted in regular meeting. The board shall publish its policies, objectives, and criteria under this provision no less often than annually and shall make copies available to interested parties.

When reporting on the performance of investments, the board shall comply with the performance presentation standards established by the association for investment management and research.

(C) All evidences of title of the investments purchased by the board shall be delivered to the treasurer of state, who is hereby designated as the custodian thereof, or to the treasurer of state's authorized agent. Evidences of title of the investments may be deposited by the treasurer of state for safekeeping with an authorized agent, selected by the treasurer of state, who is a qualified trustee under section 135.18 of the Revised Code. The treasurer of state shall collect the principal, interest, dividends, and distributions that become due and payable and, when collected, shall credit them to the custodial funds.

The treasurer of state shall pay for the investments purchased by the board on receipt of written or electronic instructions from the board or the board's designated agent authorizing the purchase and pending receipt of the evidence of title of the investment by the treasurer of state or the treasurer of state's authorized agent. The board may sell investments held by the board, and the treasurer of state or the treasurer of state's authorized agent shall accept payment from the purchaser and deliver evidence of title of the investment to the purchaser on receipt of written or electronic instructions from the board or the board's designated agent authorizing the sale, and pending receipt of the moneys for the investments. The amount received shall be placed in the custodial funds. The board and the treasurer of state may enter into agreements to establish procedures for the purchase and sale of investments under this division and the custody of the investments.

(D) All of the board's business shall be transacted, all its funds shall be invested, all warrants for money drawn and payments shall be made, and all of its cash, securities, and other property shall be held, in the name of the board or its nominee, provided that nominees are authorized by board resolution for the purpose of facilitating the ownership and transfer of investments.

(E) No purchase or sale of any investment shall be made under this section except as authorized by the board.

(F) Any statement of financial position distributed by the board shall include the fair value, as of the statement date, of all investments held by the board under this section.

Section 5505.061 | Transactions prohibited.

• Effective: June 22, 1984
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 37 - 115th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, a fiduciary shall not cause the state highway patrol retirement system to engage in a transaction, if he knows or should know that such transaction constitutes a direct or indirect:

(1) Sale or exchange, or leasing, of any property between the system and a party in interest;

(2) Lending of money or other extension of credit between the system and a party in interest;

(3) Furnishing of goods, services, or facilities between the system and a party in interest;

(4) Transfer to, or use by or for the benefit of a party in interest, of any assets of the system; or

(5) Acquisition, on behalf of the system, of any employer security or employer real property.

(B) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any transaction between the state highway patrol retirement system and any fiduciary or party in interest if:

(1) All the terms and conditions of the transaction are comparable to the terms and conditions which might reasonably be expected in a similar transaction between similar parties who are not parties in interest; and

(2) The transaction is consistent with the fiduciary duties described in Chapter 5505. of the Revised Code.

(C) A fiduciary shall not:

(1) Deal with the assets of the system in his own interest or for his own account;

(2) In his individual or in any other capacity act in any transaction involving the system on behalf of a party (or represent a party) whose interests are adverse to the interests of the system or the interests of its participants or beneficiaries; or

(3) Receive any consideration for his own personal account from any party dealing with such system in connection with a transaction involving the assets of the system.

(D) In addition to any liability which he may have under any other provision, a fiduciary with respect to the system shall be liable for a breach of fiduciary responsibility of any fiduciary with respect to the system in the following circumstances:

(1) If he participates knowingly in, or knowingly undertakes to conceal, an act or omission of such other fiduciary, knowing such act or omission is a breach;

(2) If, by his failure to comply with Chapter 5505. of the Revised Code, he has enabled such other fiduciary to commit a breach; or

(3) If he has knowledge of a breach by such other fiduciary, unless he makes reasonable efforts under the circumstances to remedy the breach.

(E) Every fiduciary of the system shall be bonded or insured to an amount of not less than one million dollars for loss by reason of acts of fraud or dishonesty.

Section 5505.062 | Travel expense policies - bonus policy - budget.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement board shall do all of the following:

(A) In consultation with the Ohio ethics commission, review any existing policy regarding the travel and payment of travel expenses of members and employees of the state highway patrol retirement board and adopt rules in accordance with section 5505.04 of the Revised Code establishing a new or revised policy regarding travel and payment of travel expenses. Not less than sixty days before adopting a new or revised policy, the board shall submit the policy to the Ohio retirement study council for review.

(B) If the board intends to award a bonus to any employee of the board, adopt rules in accordance with section 5505.04 of the Revised Code establishing a policy regarding employee bonuses;

(C) Provide copies of the rules adopted under divisions (A) and (B) of this section to each member of the Ohio retirement study council;

(D) Submit to the Ohio retirement study council a proposed operating budget, including an administrative budget for the board, for the next immediate fiscal year and adopt that budget not earlier than sixty days after it is submitted to the council;

(E) Submit to the council a plan describing how the board will improve the dissemination of public information pertaining to the board.

Section 5505.063 | Ethics policy - commission approval - ethics training.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement board shall, in consultation with the Ohio ethics commission, develop an ethics policy to govern board members and employees in the performance of their official duties. The board shall submit this policy to the commission for approval.

The commission shall review the policy and, if the commission determines that the policy is adequate, approve the policy. If the commission determines that the policy is inadequate, it shall specify the revisions to be made and the board shall submit a revised policy. If the commission approves the revised policy, the board shall adopt it. If not, the board shall make any further revisions required by the commission and adopt the policy. Not less than sixty days before adopting the policy, the board shall submit it to the Ohio retirement study council for review.

The board periodically shall provide ethics training to members and employees of the board. The training shall include training regarding the requirements and prohibitions of Chapter 102. of the Revised Code and sections 2921.42 and 2921.43 of the Revised Code and any other training the board considers appropriate.

The board shall establish a procedure to ensure that each employee of the board is informed of the procedure for filing a complaint alleging violation of Chapter 102. of the Revised Code or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code with the Ohio ethics commission or the appropriate prosecuting attorney.

Section 5505.064 | Orientation program required for new members - continuing education.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

Each newly elected member of the state highway patrol retirement board and each individual appointed to fill a vacancy on the board, shall, not later than ninety days after commencing service as a board member, complete the orientation program component of the retirement board member education program established under section 171.50 of the Revised Code.

Each member of the board who has served a year or longer as a board member shall, not less than twice each year, attend one or more programs that are part of the continuing education component of the retirement board member education program established under section 171.50 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.065 | Chief investment officer - supervision duties - monitoring of securities transactions.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement board shall designate a person who is a licensed state retirement system investment officer to be the chief investment officer for the state highway patrol retirement system. The board shall notify the division of securities of the department of commerce in writing of its designation and of any change in its designation within ten calendar days of the designation or change.

(B) The chief investment officer shall reasonably supervise the licensed state retirement system investment officers and other persons employed by the state highway patrol retirement system with a view toward preventing violations of Chapter 1707. of the Revised Code, the "Commodity Exchange Act," 42 Stat. 998, 7 U.S.C. and following, the "Securities Act of 1933," 48 Stat. 74, 15 U.S.C. and following, and the "Securities Exchange Act of 1934," 48 Stat. 881, 15 U.S.C. 78a, and following, and the rules and regulations promulgated under those statutes. This duty of reasonable supervision shall include the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent persons employed by the state highway patrol retirement system from misusing material, nonpublic information in violation of those laws, rules, and regulations.

For purposes of this division, no chief investment officer shall be considered to have failed to satisfy the officer's duty of reasonable supervision if the officer has done all of the following:

(1) Adopted and implemented written procedures, and a system for applying the procedures, that would reasonably be expected to prevent and detect, insofar as practicable, any violation by its licensed investment officers and other persons employed by the state highway patrol retirement system;

(2) Reasonably discharged the duties and obligations incumbent on the chief investment officer by reason of the established procedures and the system for applying the procedures when the officer had no reasonable cause to believe that there was a failure to comply with the procedures and systems;

(3) Reviewed, at least annually, the adequacy of the policies and procedures established pursuant to this section and the effectiveness of their implementation.

(C) The chief investment officer shall establish and maintain a policy to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of securities transactions executed on behalf of the board.

No chief investment officer shall be considered to have failed to satisfy the officer's duty under this section if the officer has done both of the following:

(1) Implemented the policy adopted by the board under section 5505.068 of the Revised Code that outlines the criteria used to select agents that execute securities transactions on behalf of the state highway patrol retirement system.

(2) Reviewed, at least annually, the performance of agents that execute securities transactions on behalf of the state highway patrol retirement system.

Section 5505.068 | Designation of Ohio-qualified agents - selection policy - utilization - annual report.

• Effective: March 31, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 312 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and in section 5505.0610 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Agent" means a dealer, as defined in section 1707.01 of the Revised Code, who is licensed under sections 1707.01 to 1707.50 of the Revised Code or under comparable laws of another state or of the United States.

(2) "Minority business enterprise" has the same meaning as in section 122.71 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Ohio-qualified agent" means an agent designated as such by the state highway patrol retirement board.

(4) "Ohio-qualified investment manager" means an investment manager designated as such by the state highway patrol retirement board.

(5) "Principal place of business" means an office in which the agent regularly provides securities or investment advisory services and solicits, meets with, or otherwise communicates with clients.

(B) The state highway patrol retirement board shall, for the purposes of this section, designate an agent as an Ohio-qualified agent if the agent meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The agent is subject to taxation under Chapter 5725., 5726., 5733., 5747., or 5751. of the Revised Code.

(2) The agent is authorized to conduct business in this state;

(3) The agent maintains a principal place of business in this state and employs at least five residents of this state.

(C) The state highway patrol retirement board shall adopt and implement a written policy to establish criteria and procedures used to select agents to execute securities transactions on behalf of the retirement system. The policy shall address each of the following:

(1) Commissions charged by the agent, both in the aggregate and on a per share basis;

(2) The execution speed and trade settlement capabilities of the agent;

(3) The responsiveness, reliability, and integrity of the agent;

(4) The nature and value of research provided by the agent;

(5) Any special capabilities of the agent.

(D)(1) The board shall, at least annually, establish a policy with the goal to increase utilization by the board of Ohio-qualified agents for the execution of domestic equity and fixed income trades on behalf of the retirement system, when an Ohio-qualified agent offers quality, services, and safety comparable to other agents otherwise available to the board and meets the criteria established under division (C) of this section.

(2) The board shall review, at least annually, the performance of the agents that execute securities transactions on behalf of the board.

(3) The board shall determine whether an agent is an Ohio-qualified agent, meets the criteria established by the board pursuant to division (C) of this section, and offers quality, services, and safety comparable to other agents otherwise available to the board. The board's determination shall be final.

Section 5505.069 | Annual disclosures to Ohio Ethics Commission.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement system shall disclose the following to the Ohio ethics commission:

(1) Anything of value received by the system from an agent and anything of value given on behalf of the system by an agent;

(2) The name of any employee of the system with authority over the investment of retirement system funds or any board member of the system who deals with an agent regarding amounts described in division (A)(1) of this section.

(B) The disclosures required by this section shall be made annually in a report submitted by a date prescribed by the Ohio ethics commission.

Section 5505.0610 | Designation of Ohio-qualified investment managers - utilization - annual report.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement board shall, for the purposes of this section, designate an investment manager as an Ohio-qualified investment manager if the investment manager meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The investment manager is subject to taxation under Chapter 5725., 5726., 5733., 5747., or 5751. of the Revised Code.

(2) The investment manager meets one of the following requirements:

(a) Has its corporate headquarters or principal place of business in this state;

(b) Employs at least five hundred individuals in this state;

(c) Has a principal place of business in this state and employs at least twenty residents of this state.

(B)(1) The board shall, at least annually, establish a policy with the goal to increase utilization by the board of Ohio-qualified investment managers, when an Ohio-qualified investment manager offers quality, services, and safety comparable to other investment managers otherwise available to the board. The policy shall also provide for the following:

(a) A process whereby the board can develop a list of Ohio-qualified investment managers and their investment products;

(b) A process whereby the board can give public notice to Ohio-qualified investment managers of the board's search for an investment manager that includes the board's search criteria.

(2) The board shall determine whether an investment manager is an Ohio-qualified investment manager and whether the investment manager offers quality, services, and safety comparable to other investment managers otherwise available to the board. The board's determination shall be final.

Section 5505.07 | Secretary, actuary, and employees - compensation and expenses.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement board may employ a secretary and secure the services of employees for the transaction of business of the state highway patrol retirement system.

Effective ninety days after the effective date of this amendment, the board may not employ a state retirement system investment officer, as defined in section 1707.01 of the Revised Code, who does not hold a valid state retirement system investment officer license issued by the division of securities in the department of commerce.

The compensation of all persons engaged by the board and all other expenses of the board necessary for the proper operation of the pension fund shall be paid at such rates and in such amounts as the board approves. Every expense voucher of an employee, officer, or board member of the state highway patrol retirement system shall itemize all purchases and expenditures.

(B) The clerical procedures required in the operation of the retirement system shall be performed by the staff of the secretary appointed by the board. The cost of such clerical procedures and the services performed by the secretary of the retirement system shall be paid by the retirement system.

(C) The board shall appoint an actuary who shall be its technical advisor.

(D) The board shall from time to time adopt such mortality and other tables of experience, and such rate or rates of interest, as are required in the proper operation of the retirement system.

(E) The board shall determine by appropriate rules the service to be credited any member in any calendar year.

The board shall perform other functions and adopt rules as required for the proper execution of Chapter 5505. of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.08 | No participation by trustees.

• Effective: August 20, 1976
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 268 - 111th General Assembly

Except as provided in Chapter 5505. of the Revised Code, no trustees and no employee of the state highway patrol retirement board shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment made by the board, nor as such, directly or indirectly, receive any pay or emolument for his services. No trustees or employee of the board, directly or indirectly, for himself or as an agent or partner or others, shall borrow any of its funds or deposits or in any manner use the same except to make such current and necessary payments as are authorized by the board; nor shall any member or employee of the board be an indorser or surety or be in any manner an obligor for moneys loaned by or borrowed by the board.

The state highway patrol retirement system shall make no investments through, purchases from, or otherwise do any business with any individual who is, or any person who within the preceding three years was employed by, a board member of, or an officer of the system, partnership, association, or corporation that is owned or controlled by, a person, who within the preceding three years was employed by, a board member of, or an officer of the system, holds a fiduciary, administrative, supervisory, or trust position, or any other position in which such person would be involved, on behalf of his employer, in decisions or recommendations affecting the investment policy of the system, and in which such person would benefit by any monetary gain.

Section 5505.09 | Bonds of taxing districts may be offered to board.

• Effective: January 1, 1966
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 840 - 106th General Assembly

The boards and officers of the several taxing districts of the state in the issuance and sale of evidences of indebtedness of their respective taxing districts, may offer in writing at a fair market price, which price shall not be less than par and accrued interest, to the state highway patrol retirement board, prior to advertising the same for sale, all such issues as may not have been taken by the trustees of the sinking fund of the taxing district issuing such evidences of indebtedness. The board shall, within ten days after the receipt of such written offer, either:

(A) Accept the same and purchase such evidences of indebtedness, or any portion thereof, at a fair market price, to be evidenced by a resolution of the board of officers of the taxing district issuing such evidences of indebtedness, but at a price of not less than par and accrued interest;

(B) Reject such offer in writing.

Section 5505.10 | Deposit and security.

• Effective: January 1, 1966
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 840 - 106th General Assembly

There shall be kept available by the treasurer of state an amount not exceeding ten per cent of the total assets of the state highway patrol retirement system, on deposit in any bank in this state, organized under the laws of this state or of the United States, or with any trust company incorporated under the laws of this state. Such bank or trust company shall furnish adequate security for said deposit and the sum so deposited in any one bank or trust company shall not exceed twenty-five per cent of the paid-up capital and surplus of said bank or trust company.

Section 5505.11 | Treasurer of state is treasurer of state highway patrol retirement system.

• Effective: July 1, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly

The treasurer of state shall be the treasurer of the state highway patrol retirement system and the custodian of its funds. All disbursements therefrom shall be made by him only upon instruments authorized by the state highway patrol retirement board and bearing signatures of the chairman, or vice-chairman in the absence of the chairman, and the secretary of the retirement system. Such instruments may bear the facsimile signature of the chairman of the board. No instrument shall be drawn unless it has been previously authorized by a specific or general resolution adopted by the board.

The treasurer of state shall give a separate and additional surety bond satisfactory to the board, for the faithful performance of his duties as treasurer of the retirement system and custodian of its funds. The surety bond shall be in such amount and with such surety as the board determines and shall be deposited with the secretary of state and kept in his office. The premium on the bond shall be paid by the board.

The treasurer of state shall deposit any portion of the funds of the retirement system not needed for immediate use in the same manner as state funds are deposited, and subject to all laws with respect to the deposit of state funds, by the treasurer of state. All interest earned by such portion of retirement system funds so deposited by the treasurer of state shall be collected by him and credited to the board.

The treasurer of state shall furnish annually to the board a sworn statement of the amount of funds in his custody belonging to the retirement system.

The fiscal records of the retirement system shall be open to public inspection. Any member shall be furnished with a statement of his accumulated contributions standing to his credit in his individual account in the employees savings fund, upon his written request filed with the board; provided, that the board shall not be required to answer more than one such request of a member in any one year.

Section 5505.111 | Selection of internal auditor.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement board shall appoint a committee to oversee the selection of an internal auditor. The committee shall select one or more persons for employment as an internal auditor. The board shall employ the person or persons selected by the committee.

The committee shall consist of the following board members: one retirant member, one employee member, and one ex officio member. The committee shall annually prepare and submit to the Ohio retirement study council a report of its actions during the preceding year.

Section 5505.112 | Actions against highway patrol retirement system, the board, its officers, employees, or board members; venue.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 42 - 130th General Assembly

Any action brought against the state highway patrol retirement system or the state highway patrol retirement board or its officers, employees, or board members in their official capacities shall be brought in the appropriate court in Franklin county, Ohio.

Section 5505.12 | Actuarial valuation of pension assets, liabilities, and funding requirements of state highway patrol retirement system.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 42 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement board shall have prepared annually by or under the supervision of an actuary an actuarial valuation of the pension assets, liabilities, and funding requirements of the state highway patrol retirement system as established pursuant to this chapter. The actuary shall complete the valuation in accordance with actuarial standards of practice promulgated by the actuarial standards board of the American academy of actuaries and prepare a report of the valuation. The report shall include all of the following:

(1) A summary of the benefit provisions evaluated;

(2) A summary of the census data and financial information used in the valuation;

(3) A description of the actuarial assumptions, actuarial cost method, and asset valuation method used in the valuation, including a statement of the assumed rate of payroll growth and assumed rate of growth or decline in the number of members contributing to the retirement system;

(4) A summary of findings that includes a statement of the actuarial accrued pension liabilities and unfunded actuarial accrued pension liabilities;

(5) A schedule showing the effect of any changes in the benefit provisions, actuarial assumptions, or cost methods since the last annual actuarial valuation;

(6) A statement of whether contributions to the retirement system are expected to be sufficient to satisfy the funding objectives established by the board.

The board shall submit the report to the Ohio retirement study council, the director of budget and management, and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation immediately upon its availability and not later than the first day of September following the year for which the valuation was made.

(B) At such times as the state highway patrol retirement board determines, and at least once in each five-year period, the board shall have prepared by or under the supervision of an actuary an actuarial investigation of the mortality, service, and other experience of the members, retirants, and beneficiaries to update the actuarial assumptions used in the actuarial valuation required by division (A) of this section. The actuary shall prepare a report of the actuarial investigation. The report shall be prepared and any recommended changes in actuarial assumptions shall be made in accordance with the actuarial standards of practice promulgated by the actuarial standards board of the American academy of actuaries. The report shall include all of the following:

(1) A summary of relevant decrement and economic assumption experience observed over the period of the investigation;

(2) Recommended changes in actuarial assumptions to be used in subsequent actuarial valuations required by division (A) of this section;

(3) A measurement of the financial effect of the recommended changes in actuarial assumptions;

(4) If the investigation required by this division includes the investigation required by division (F) of this section, a report of the result of that investigation.

The board shall submit the report to the Ohio retirement study council and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation not later than the first day of November following the last fiscal year of the period the report covers.

(C) The board may at any time request the actuary to make any studies or actuarial valuations to determine the adequacy of the rates of contributions provided by section 5505.15 of the Revised Code.

(D) The board shall have prepared by or under the supervision of an actuary an actuarial analysis of any introduced legislation expected to have a measurable financial impact on the retirement system. The actuarial analysis shall be completed in accordance with the actuarial standards of practice promulgated by the actuarial standards board of the American academy of actuaries. The actuary shall prepare a report of the actuarial analysis, which shall include all of the following:

(1) A summary of the statutory changes that are being evaluated;

(2) A description of or reference to the actuarial assumptions and actuarial cost method used in the report;

(3) A description of the participant group or groups included in the report;

(4) A statement of the financial impact of the legislation, including the resulting increase, if any, in the employer normal cost percentage; the increase, if any, in actuarial accrued liabilities; and the per cent of payroll that would be required to amortize the increase in actuarial accrued liabilities as a level per cent of covered payroll for all active members over a period not to exceed thirty years;

(5) A statement of whether the scheduled contributions to the system after the proposed change is enacted are expected to be sufficient to satisfy the funding objectives established by the board.

Not later than sixty days from the date of introduction of the legislation, the board shall submit a copy of the actuarial analysis to the legislative service commission, the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation, and the Ohio retirement study council.

(E) The board shall have prepared annually a report giving a full accounting of the revenues and costs relating to the provision of benefits under section 5505.28 of the Revised Code. The report shall be made not later than the thirty-first day of December of each year. The report shall include the following:

(1) A description of the statutory authority for the benefits provided;

(2) A summary of the benefits;

(3) A summary of the eligibility requirements for the benefits;

(4) A statement of the number of participants eligible for the benefits;

(5) A description of the accounting, asset valuation, and funding method used to provide the benefits;

(6) A statement of the net assets available for the provision of the benefits as of the last day of the fiscal year;

(7) A statement of any changes in the net assets available for the provision of benefits, including participant and employer contributions, net investment income, administrative expenses, and benefits provided to participants, as of the last day of the fiscal year;

(8) For the last six consecutive fiscal years, a schedule of the net assets available for the benefits, the annual cost of benefits, administrative expenses incurred, and annual employer contributions allocated for the provision of benefits;

(9) A description of any significant changes that affect the comparability of the report required under this division;

(10) A statement of the amount paid under division (B) of section 5505.28 of the Revised Code.

The board shall submit the report to the Ohio retirement study council, the director of budget and management, and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation immediately upon its availability and not later than the thirtieth day of June following the year for which the report was made.

(F) At least once in each five-year period, the board shall have prepared by or under the supervision of an actuary an actuarial investigation of the deferred retirement option plan established under section 5505.50 of the Revised Code. The investigation shall include an examination of the financial impact, if any, on the retirement system of offering the plan to members.

The actuary shall prepare a report of the actuarial investigation. The report shall include a determination of whether the plan, as established or modified, has a negative financial impact on the retirement system and, if so, recommendations on how to modify the plan to eliminate the negative financial impact. If the actuarial report indicates that the plan has a negative financial impact on the retirement system, the board shall modify the plan. If the board modifies the plan, the rights and obligations of members who have already elected to participate shall not be altered.

The state's contributions to the employer accumulation fund shall not be increased to offset any negative financial impact of the deferred retirement option plan.

The board may include the actuarial investigation required under this division as part of the actuarial investigation required under division (B) of this section. If the report of the actuarial investigation required by this division is not included in the report required by division (B) of this section, the board shall submit the report required by this division to the Ohio retirement study council and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation not later than the first day of November following the last fiscal year of the period the report covers.

Section 5505.121 | Amortizing state highway patrol retirement system's unfunded actuarial accrued pension liabilities.

• Effective: March 7, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 82 - 121st General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement board shall establish a period of not more than thirty years to amortize the state highway patrol retirement system's unfunded actuarial accrued pension liabilities. If in any year the period necessary to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued pension liability exceeds thirty years, as determined by the annual actuarial valuation required by section 5505.12 of the Revised Code, the board, not later than ninety days after receipt of the valuation, shall prepare and submit to the Ohio retirement study commission and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation a report that includes the following information:

(A) The number of years needed to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued pension liability as determined by the annual actuarial valuation;

(B) A plan approved by the board that indicates how the board will reduce the amortization period of unfunded actuarial accrued pension liability to not more than thirty years.

Section 5505.122 | Format for report to retirement study council.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

If the Ohio retirement study council establishes a uniform format for any report the state highway patrol retirement board is required to submit to the council, the board shall submit the report in that format.

Section 5505.14 | Certificate of prior service.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 42 - 130th General Assembly

Subject to such rules and regulations as the state highway patrol retirement board adopts, the board shall issue, upon written request of the member, a certificate certifying to the aggregate length of all the member's prior service as a state highway patrol employee.

Section 5505.15 | Employer contribution.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 42 - 130th General Assembly

(A) A member of the state highway patrol retirement system shall contribute a certain percentage of the member's annual salary to the state highway patrol retirement fund. The percentage shall be not less than ten per cent of the member's annual salary but not more than fourteen per cent. The state highway patrol retirement board shall establish and may adjust the rate as it considers necessary to meet the amortization period requirement of section 5505.121 of the Revised Code. The board shall base its determination of the necessary rate on the annual actuarial valuation required by section 5505.12 of the Revised Code. The amount shall be deducted by the employer from the employee's salary for each payroll period.

(B) The state shall annually pay into the employer accumulation fund, in monthly or less frequent installments as the state highway patrol retirement board requires, the employer contribution. The employer contribution shall be an amount equal to twenty-six and one-half per cent of the total salaries paid contributing members. If a member severs connection with the patrol or is dismissed, the employer contribution shall remain in the retirement system.

The rate percentage of the employer contribution shall be certified by the board to the director of budget and management and shall not be lower than nine per cent of the total salaries paid contributing members and shall not exceed three times the rate percentage being deducted from the annual salaries of contributing members. The board shall prepare and submit to the director, on or before the first day of November of each even-numbered year, an estimate of the amounts necessary to pay the state's obligations accruing during the biennium beginning the first day of July of the following year. Such amounts shall be included in the budget and allocated as certified by the board.

Section 5505.151 | Contributions for time off while on disability leave.

• Effective: March 14, 1984
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 311 - 115th General Assembly

Except as otherwise provided in section 124.385 of the Revised Code, any member who is granted disability leave pursuant to a program sponsored by the state, whereby the member receives a percentage of his salary while on disability leave, shall not be required to make contributions for time off while on disability leave.

Except as otherwise provided in section 124.385 of the Revised Code, the state, as sponsor of a disability leave program, shall make the periodic employee and employer contributions, in the amounts set pursuant to section 5505.15 of the Revised Code, for members granted disability leave, based on the employee's rate of pay in effect at the time disability leave was granted.

Section 5505.152 | Annual review of adequacy of contributions rates.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "entry age normal actuarial cost method" means an actuarial cost method under which the actuarial present value of the projected benefits of each individual included in the valuation is allocated on a level basis over the earnings or service of the individual between the entry age and the assumed exit age, with the portion of the actuarial present value that is allocated to the valuation year to be the normal cost and the portion of the actuarial present value not provided for at the valuation date by the actuarial present value of future normal costs to be the actuarial accrued liability. Under this method, the actuarial gains or losses are reflected as they occur in a decrease or increase in the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.

(B) The Ohio retirement study council shall annually review the adequacy of the contribution rates provided under divisions (A) and (B) of section 5505.15 of the Revised Code and the contribution rates recommended in a report by the actuary of the state highway patrol retirement system for the forthcoming year.

The actuarial calculations used by the actuary shall be based on the entry age normal actuarial cost method, and the adequacy of the contribution rates shall be reported on the basis of that method. The Ohio retirement study council shall make recommendations to the general assembly that it finds necessary for the proper financing of the benefits of the state highway patrol retirement system.

Section 5505.16 | Application for retirement.

• Effective: May 11, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 362 (GA 132), House Bill 49 (GA 132)

(A) As used in this section, "member" has the same meaning as in section 5505.01 of the Revised Code, except that it also includes a former member who has earned service credit and has not received a refund of accumulated contributions under section 5505.19 of the Revised Code.

A member who became a member of the state highway patrol before January 1, 2020, may be granted retirement under this division if the member has twenty-five years of service credit according to the rules adopted by the state highway patrol retirement board and has attained age forty-eight. If the member is under age forty-eight, retirement under this division shall be deferred until age forty-eight.

(B) A member who has twenty years of service credit according to the rules adopted by the retirement board, may be granted retirement under this division if the member has attained age fifty-two. If the member is under age fifty-two, retirement under this division shall be deferred until age fifty-two, except that any such member who has twenty years of service credit may, on or after attaining age forty-eight but before attaining age fifty-two, elect to retire and receive a reduced pension under this division of the greater of nine hundred dollars or an amount computed as follows:

Attained Age	Reduced Pension
48	75% of normal service pension
49	80% of normal service pension
50	86% of normal service pension
51	93% of normal service pension

The reduced pension is payable from the later of the date of the member's most recent birthday or the date the member becomes eligible to receive the reduced pension.

A member who has elected to receive a reduced pension in accordance with the schedule provided in this division and has received a payment in connection therewith may not change the election.

(C) Any member who attains the age of sixty years and has twenty years of service credit according to the rules adopted by the board, shall file application for retirement with the board, and if the member refuses or neglects to do so, the board may deem the member's application to have been filed on the member's sixtieth birthday. The member may, upon written application approved by the superintendent of the state highway patrol, be continued in service after attaining the age of sixty years, but only until the member has accumulated twenty years of service credit in accordance with rules adopted by the board.

(D)(1) As used in this division:

(a) "Service in the uniformed services" means the performance of duty on a voluntary or involuntary basis in a uniformed service under competent authority and includes active duty, active duty for training, initial active duty for training, inactive duty training, full-time national guard duty, and a period for which a person is absent from a position of employment for the purpose of an examination to determine the fitness of the person to perform any such duty.

(b) "Uniformed services" of the United States includes both:

(i) Army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, or any reserve components of these services; auxiliary corps as established by congress; army nurse corps; navy nurse corps; service as red cross nurse with the army, navy, air force, or hospital service of the United States, or serving full-time with the American red cross in a combat zone; and such other service as is designated by congress as included therein;

(ii) Personnel of the Ohio national guard, the Ohio military reserve, the Ohio naval militia, and the reserve components of the armed forces enumerated in division (D)(1) of this section who are called to active duty pursuant to an executive order issued by the president of the United States or an act of congress.

(2) A member's total service credit may include periods not to exceed a total of seven years, while the member's employment with the state highway patrol is or was interrupted due to service in the uniformed services of the United States. Such military service shall be credited to the member towards total service as provided by this chapter and to the extent approved by the board, provided that:

(a) The member is or was honorably discharged from service in the uniformed services;

(b) The member is or was re-employed by the state highway patrol within ninety days immediately following termination of service in the uniformed services;

(c) The member, subject to board rules, pays into the retirement system to the member's credit in the employees' savings fund an amount equal to the total contributions the member would have paid had state highway patrol employment not been so interrupted. Such payment may be made at any time prior to receipt of a pension.

(3) If the member meets the requirements of division (D)(2) of this section, on receipt of contributions from the member, the state highway patrol shall be billed for the employer contribution that would have been paid pursuant to section 5505.15 of the Revised Code if the member had not rendered service in the uniformed services, subject to board rules.

(4) If under division (D)(2)(c) of this section a member pays all or any portion of the contributions later than the lesser of five years or a period that is three times the member's period of service in the uniformed services beginning from the member's date of re-employment, an amount equal to compound interest at a rate established by the board from the member's date of re-employment to the date of payment shall be added to the remaining amount to be paid by the member to purchase service credit under this section.

(5) Credit purchased by a member under division (D)(2) of this section shall be used to determine the member's eligibility for retirement under this section and section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated May 25, 2022 at 5:03 PM

Section 5505.161 | Retirant re-employed in other state retirement system.

• Effective: July 13, 2000
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 190 - 123rd General Assembly

On receipt of notice from the public employees retirement system, Ohio police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, or school employees retirement system of the re-employment of a retirant, the state highway patrol retirement system shall not pay, or if paid shall recover, any amount to be forfeited by the retirant in accordance with section 145.38, 742.26, 3307.35, or 3309.341 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.162 | Election of type of pension.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 362, House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this division, "member" has the same meaning as in section 5505.01 of the Revised Code, except that it also includes a former member who has earned service credit and has not received a refund of accumulated contributions under section 5505.19 of the Revised Code.

On application for retirement as provided in section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system may elect, on a form provided by the state highway patrol retirement board, to receive the pension that the member is eligible to receive on retirement under that section in one of the following forms:

(1) A single lifetime pension;

(2) The actuarial equivalent of the single lifetime pension that the member may elect under division (A)(1) of this section in a lesser annual amount payable for the member's life and continuing after the member's death to a surviving designated beneficiary under one of the following optional plans, provided the annual amount payable to the designated beneficiary shall not exceed the annual amount payable to such retiring member, the amount is certified by the actuary employed by the system to be the actuarial equivalent of the member's pension, and the amount is approved by the board:

(a) Option 1. The member's lesser pension shall be paid for life to the member's sole beneficiary designated at the time of retirement.

(b) Option 2. One-half or some other portion of the member's lesser pension shall be paid for life to the member's sole beneficiary designated at the time of retirement.

(c) Option 3. Upon death before the expiration of a certain period from the member's retirement date as elected by the member and approved by the board, the member's lesser pension shall be continued for the remainder of such period to the beneficiaries, and in such order, as designated by the member in writing and filed with the board. No monthly payments shall be paid to joint beneficiaries, but they may jointly receive the present value of any remaining payments in a lump sum settlement. If all designated beneficiaries die before the expiration of such period, the present value of all the payments yet remaining in the period shall be paid to the estate of the beneficiary last receiving such payments.

(d) Option 4. The member's lesser pension or portion of the lesser pension shall be paid for life to two, three, or four surviving beneficiaries designated at the time of the member's retirement, in such portions as specified at retirement. If the member elects this plan as required by a court order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code or the laws of another state regarding the division of marital property and compliance with the court order requires the allocation of a portion less than ten per cent to any person, the member shall allocate a portion less than ten per cent to that person in accordance with that order. In all other circumstances, no portion allocated under this plan of payment shall be less than ten per cent. The total of the portions allocated shall not exceed one hundred per cent of the member's lesser pension.

(3) If the member has attained age fifty-two with at least twenty years' total service, a pension consisting of both a partial benefit lump sum in an amount the member designates that constitutes a portion of the single lifetime pension the member may elect under division (A)(1) of this section and the actuarial equivalent of the remainder of the single lifetime pension payable for the member's life, provided an actuary employed by the system certifies the actuarial equivalent and the board approves the partial benefit lump sum payment and the amount to be paid as the actuarial equivalent.

The amount designated by a member shall be not less than six times the monthly amount that would be payable to the member as a single lifetime pension under division (A)(1) of this section and not more than sixty times that amount.

A member who has attained the age of fifty-two with twenty years of service who elects a partial benefit lump sum may designate an amount that does not exceed an amount equal to one month's pension for each month of service beyond twenty years.

(4) If a plan of payment providing for payment in a specified portion of the pension continuing after the member's death to a former spouse is required by a court order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code or the laws of another state regarding division of marital property prior to the effective date of the member's retirement and the board has received a copy of the order, the board shall accept the member's election of a plan of payment under this section only if the member elects a plan of payment that is in accordance with the order.

(B)(1) The death of a spouse designated as beneficiary or the death of any other designated beneficiary following retirement shall cancel the portion of the optional plan of payment selected under division (A)(2) of this section providing continuing lifetime benefits to the deceased designated beneficiary. The retirant shall receive the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's single lifetime pension, as determined by the board based on the number of remaining beneficiaries, with no change in the amount payable to any remaining beneficiary. The change shall be effective the month following receipt by the board of notice of the death.

(2) On divorce, annulment, or marriage dissolution, a retirant receiving a pension under a plan that provides for continuation of all or part of the pension after death for the lifetime of the retirant's surviving spouse may, with the written consent of the spouse or pursuant to an order of the court with jurisdiction over the termination of the marriage, elect to cancel the portion of the plan providing continuing lifetime benefits to that spouse. The retirant shall receive the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's single lifetime pension as determined by the board based on the number of remaining beneficiaries, with no change in amount payable to any remaining beneficiary. The election shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall be effective the month following its receipt by the board.

(C)(1) Following marriage or remarriage of a retirant, both of the following apply:

(a) A retirant may elect a new optional plan of payment under division (A)(2) of this section based on the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's single lifetime pension as determined by the board.

(b) A retirant who is receiving a pension pursuant to a plan of payment providing for payment to a former spouse pursuant to a court order described in division (A)(4) of this section may elect a new plan of payment under "option 4" based on the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's single lifetime pension as determined by the board if the new plan of payment elected does not reduce the payment to the former spouse.

(2) If the marriage or remarriage occurs on or after June 6, 2005, the election must be made not later than one year after the date of the marriage or remarriage.

The plan elected under this section shall become effective on the date of receipt by the board of an application on a form approved by the board, but any change in the amount of the pension shall commence on the first day of the month following the effective date of the plan.

(D) A retirant who has elected an optional plan under division (A)(2) of this section may, with the written consent of the designated beneficiary, cancel the optional plan and receive the single lifetime pension that the retirant would have received had the retirant elected the single lifetime pension under division (A)(1) of this section, if the retirant makes a request to cancel the optional plan not later than one year after the date on which the retirant first receives a payment under the plan. Cancellation of the optional plan shall be effective the month after acceptance of the request by the board. No payment or adjustment shall be made in the single lifetime pension to compensate for the lesser pension the retirant received under the optional plan.

The request to cancel the optional plan shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall be valid only if the completed form includes a signed statement of the designated beneficiary's understanding of and consent to the cancellation. The designated beneficiary's signature shall be verified by the board prior to its acceptance of the cancellation.

(E) Any option elected and payments made under division (A)(2) of this section shall be in addition to any pension payable to the retirant's surviving spouse, children, or parents under section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 5505.163 | Election by retirant prior to 9-21-94.

• Effective: March 24, 2003
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 373 - 124th General Assembly

(A) A retirant who retired prior to September 21, 1994, under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code may elect to receive the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's pension in a lesser amount payable for the remainder of the retirant's life and continuing after death to the retirant's surviving designated beneficiary under one of the optional plans described in division (A)(2)(a), (b), or (c) of section 5505.162 of the Revised Code, provided the annual amount payable to the designated beneficiary shall not exceed the annual amount payable to the retirant, the amount is certified by the actuary employed by the state highway patrol retirement system to be the actuarial equivalent of the retirant's pension, and the state highway patrol retirement board approves the amount.

(B) A retirant interested in making the election authorized by division (A) of this section shall file a notice of interest with the board not later than sixty days after June 30, 2000. The board shall advise the retirant with respect to the choices available under the optional plans and have a determination made of the monthly pension payable under the optional plan elected by the member for inclusion in the statement to be filed under division (C) of this section.

(C) To make the election authorized by division (A) of this section, a retirant shall file a statement, on a form provided by the board, indicating that the retirant elects to participate in the optional plan specified in the statement. The form must be filed with the board not later than one hundred twenty days after June 30, 2000.

(D) A notice or statement mailed to the board shall be considered to have been filed on its postmark date.

(E) Any option elected and payments made under this section shall be in addition to any pension payable to the retirant's surviving spouse, children, or parents under section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.17 | Pension and benefits upon retirement.

• Effective: May 11, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 362, House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A)(1) Upon retirement as provided in section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, a state highway patrol retirement system retirant shall receive a life pension, without guaranty or refund, equal to the greater of one thousand fifty dollars or the sum of two and one-half per cent of the retirant's final average salary multiplied by the first twenty years of total service credit, plus two and one-quarter per cent of the retirant's final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of total service credit in excess of twenty years but not in excess of twenty-five years, plus two per cent of the retirant's final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, in excess of twenty-five years; provided that in no case shall the pension exceed the lesser of seventy-nine and one-quarter per cent of the retirant's final average salary or the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended.

(2) A member with fifteen or more years of total service credit, who voluntarily resigns or who is discharged from the state highway patrol for any reason except retirement under this chapter, death, dishonesty, cowardice, intemperate habits, or conviction of a felony, shall receive a pension equal to one and one-half per cent of the member's final average salary multiplied by the number of years, and fraction of a year, of total service credit, except that the pension shall not exceed the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended. The pension shall commence at the end of the calendar month in which the application is filed with the retirement board on or after the attainment of age fifty-five years by the applicant. A member or former member who withdraws any part or all of the accumulated contributions from the employees' savings fund shall thereupon forfeit all rights to a pension provided for in this division.

(3)(a) A surviving spouse of a deceased member who died before the effective date of this amendment shall receive a monthly pension, determined as follows, during the spouse's life:

(i) If at the time of death the member was not eligible to be granted a pension payable under division (A)(1) of this section or to elect to receive a reduced pension payable under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, nine hundred dollars;

(ii) If at the time of death the member was eligible to be granted a pension payable under division (A)(1) of this section or to elect to receive a reduced pension payable under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, the greater of nine hundred dollars or fifty per cent of the computed monthly pension the member would have received had the member been granted a pension under division (A)(1) of this section or elected to receive a reduced pension under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code.

(b) The surviving spouse of a retirant who retired before the effective date of this amendment shall receive a monthly pension, determined as follows, during the spouse's life:

(i) If the retirant had been granted retirement under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, but at the time of death had not attained the age of eligibility for a pension, nine hundred dollars;

(ii) If the retirant had been granted retirement under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code and had attained the age of eligibility for a pension, but at the time of death had not elected to begin receiving the pension, the greater of nine hundred dollars or fifty per cent of the computed monthly pension the retirant was eligible to receive under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code;

(iii) If the retirant had been granted retirement and was receiving a pension under division (A)(1) of this section or section 5505.16 or 5505.18 of the Revised Code, or, regardless of whether or not the retirant had actually received any payment, was eligible to receive a pension under division (A)(1) of this section or section 5505.16 or 5505.18 of the Revised Code and had elected to begin receiving it, the greater of nine hundred dollars or fifty per cent of the computed monthly pension awarded the retirant.

(c) The surviving spouse of a deceased member who dies on or after the effective date of this amendment or a retirant who retires on or after the effective date of this amendment shall receive a monthly pension during the spouse's life if the spouse was married to the member or retirant while the member or retirant was in the active service of the state highway patrol. The pension shall be determined as follows:

(i) During the period beginning on the effective date of this amendment and ending December 31, 2018, nine hundred dollars;

(ii) During the period beginning January 1, 2019, and continuing the following twelve months, and the period beginning the first day of January of each year thereafter and continuing the following twelve months, an amount equal to the monthly amount payable during the prior twelve-month period plus an amount determined by multiplying nine hundred dollars by the amount the board determines annually under division (B)(1)(b) of section 5505.174 of the Revised Code.

(d) In addition to the pension determined under division (A)(3)(c) of this section, the surviving spouse of a deceased member who dies on or after the effective date of this amendment shall receive a monthly pension during the spouse's life if the spouse was married to the member while the member was in the active service of the state highway patrol and, at the time of death, the member was eligible to be granted a pension payable under division (A)(1) of this section or to elect to receive a reduced pension payable under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code. The pension shall be an amount equal to the amount the surviving spouse would have been entitled to receive had the member retired effective the day following the date of death having selected an option 2 plan under division (A)(2)(b) of section 5505.162 of the Revised Code providing for one-half of the member's lesser pension to be paid to the surviving spouse.

(e) If a monthly pension to a surviving spouse was terminated due to a remarriage, the surviving spouse is eligible to receive a monthly pension under division (A)(3) of this section effective the first day of the first month following June 5, 1996. The pension shall be computed under division (A)(3) of this section as of June 5, 1996. The pension payable to a person who is the surviving spouse of more than one state highway patrol retirement system member or retirant shall be computed on the basis of the service of the member or retirant to whom the surviving spouse was most recently married.

(4) A pension of one hundred fifty dollars per month shall be paid by the system to or for the benefit of each child of a deceased member or retirant until the child attains the age of eighteen years or marries, whichever event occurs first, or until the child attains twenty-three years of age if the child is a student in and attending an institution of learning or training pursuant to a program designed to complete in each school year the equivalent of at least two-thirds of the full-time curriculum requirements of the institution, as determined by the retirement board. If any surviving child, regardless of age at the time of the member's or retirant's death, because of physical or mental disability, was totally dependent upon the deceased member or retirant for support at the time of death, a pension of one hundred fifty dollars per month shall be paid by the system to or for the benefit of the child during the child's natural life or until the child recovers from the disability.

(5)(a) If a retirant died prior to June 6, 1988, and the surviving spouse was not married to the retirant while the retirant was in the active service of the patrol, the surviving spouse shall receive a pension of the greater of four hundred twenty-five dollars per month or fifty per cent of the computed monthly pension the retirant was receiving.

(b) If the pension payable to a person receiving a pension under division (A)(5)(a) of this section on June 30, 2000, is less than nine hundred dollars per month, the pension shall be increased to nine hundred dollars per month.

(6) If a deceased member or retirant leaves no spouse or surviving children, but leaves two parents depending solely upon the deceased member or retirant for support, each parent shall be paid a monthly pension of one hundred fifty-four dollars. If in such case there is only one parent dependent solely upon the deceased member or retirant for support, such parent shall be paid a monthly pension of one hundred fifty-four dollars. Such pension shall be paid during the life of the surviving parents, or until dependency ceases, or until remarriage, whichever event occurs first.

(7) Any amount remaining as accumulated contributions at the time of death of a retirant who leaves no surviving spouse or dependent children or parents shall be paid to the beneficiary or beneficiaries the retirant has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the board. A retirant may designate an individual or a trust as a beneficiary. If there is no designated beneficiary surviving the retirant, the retirant's accumulated contributions shall be paid according to the state law of descent and distribution; provided that, if the retirant's accumulated contributions are not claimed by an eligible person or by the estate of the retirant within seven years, they shall be transferred to the income fund of the system and after that shall be paid from that fund to such person or estate upon application to the board.

(8) The increase provided for by division (A)(5) of this section shall be included in the calculation of the additional benefit paid under section 5505.174 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board shall adopt, and may amend or rescind, the necessary rules for the administration of this section and all decisions of the board shall be final. Any payment of a pension or benefit under this section is subject to the provisions of section 5505.26 of the Revised Code.

(C) A member's total service credit may include periods during which the member's employment with the state highway patrol is interrupted by a leave of absence, when requested by the governor, to accept employment with another agency of the state, provided that:

(1) The member is reemployed by the state highway patrol within thirty days following termination of such other employment;

(2) The member pays into the retirement system, to the credit of the employees' savings fund, an amount equal to the total contributions the member would have paid had the state highway patrol employment not been so interrupted. Such repayment shall begin within ninety days after the member's return to duty with the state highway patrol and be completed within a period equal to that of the leave of absence.

(D) Service credits granted under division (C) of this section shall not include any duplications of credits for which a pension is payable by the public employees retirement system.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 5505.171 | Additional monthly payments and benefits.

• Effective: June 29, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 299 - 124th General Assembly

(A) All persons who retired and were eligible to receive a pension that was payable prior to July 1, 1968, pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 5505.17 or division (B)(1) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code, shall receive an additional monthly payment of two dollars for each year between the member's effective date of retirement or disability and December 31, 1971, or an additional fifty dollars, whichever is less.

(B) Each person who retired and was eligible to receive a pension, other than a reduced pension, that was payable prior to June 30, 2000, pursuant to division (A) or (B) of section 5505.16 or division (B) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code shall have the pension recalculated by the board so that the person receives a monthly pension of not less than one thousand fifty dollars. Any pension increase resulting from a recalculation made under this division shall be included in the calculation of the additional benefit paid under section 5505.174 of the Revised Code.

(C) The pension of each person who is receiving a pension pursuant to division (B) of section 5505.16 of the Revised Code on June 5, 1996, of less than nine hundred dollars per month shall be increased to nine hundred dollars per month. Any increase under this division shall be included in the calculation of the additional benefit paid under section 5505.174 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.172 | Additional monthly payments eligibility on or after 7-1-68 and prior to 7-1-71.

• Effective: December 19, 1973
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 214 - 110th General Assembly

On and after the effective date of this section, all persons who retired and were eligible to receive a pension that was first payable on or after July 1, 1968, and prior to July 1, 1971, pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 5505.17 or division (B)(1) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code, shall receive an additional monthly payment of two dollars for each year between the member's effective date of retirement or disability and July 1, 1973.

Section 5505.173 | Increase in monthly pension, allowance or benefit effective 7-1-81.

• Effective: June 29, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 299 - 124th General Assembly

(A) Effective July 1, 1981, each person eligible to receive an age and service or disability pension, allowance, or benefit pursuant to Chapter 5505. of the Revised Code, that was based upon an award made effective before October 1, 1974, shall have the person's monthly pension increased by five per cent of the first five thousand dollars of the annual pension, allowance, or benefit.

(B) Effective July 1, 1981, each person eligible to receive a survivor's benefit pursuant to Chapter 5505. of the Revised Code that was based upon an award made effective before July 1, 1981, shall have the person's monthly benefit increased by five per cent, except that the twelve-month sum of such increases shall not exceed five per cent of the first five thousand dollars of the annual benefit.

(C) The increases provided in divisions (A) and (B) of this section shall be applied to the benefit payable on and after July 1, 1981.

(D) The benefits provided in divisions (A) and (B) of this section are a continuation of those first provided in Am. Sub. H. B. 204 as passed by the 113th general assembly.

Section 5505.174 | Eligibility for cost-of-living increase.

• Effective: May 11, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 362 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Eligibility for an increase under this section shall be determined as follows:

(1) For a person whose pension effective date is prior to January 7, 2013, an "eligible person" is one of the following:

(a) A person fifty-three years old or older who has been receiving a pension pursuant to division (B) of section 5505.16, division (A)(1) of section 5505.17, or division (B) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code for not less than twelve months;

(b) A person who has been receiving a pension pursuant to division (B) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code for not less than sixty months regardless of age;

(c) A person who has been receiving a pension pursuant to section 5505.162 or division (A)(3), (4), (5), or (6) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code for not less than twelve months regardless of age.

(2) For a person whose pension effective date is on or after January 7, 2013, but before the effective date of this amendment, an "eligible person" is a person who is sixty years old or older who has been receiving a pension pursuant to division (B) of section 5505.16, section 5505.162, division (A)(1), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of section 5505.17, or division (B) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code for not less than twelve months.

(3) For a person whose pension effective date is on or after the effective date of this amendment, an "eligible person" is a person who is sixty years old or older who has been receiving a pension pursuant to division (B) of section 5505.16, section 5505.162, division (A)(1), (3)(a), (b), or (d), (4), (5), or (6) of section 5505.17, or division (B) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code for not less than twelve months.

(B)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the state highway patrol retirement board shall annually increase pensions payable to eligible persons under this chapter in accordance with the following:

(a) For each person sixty-five years of age or older who is receiving a pension not greater than one hundred eighty-five per cent of the federal poverty level for a family of two persons, as revised annually by the United States department of health and human services in accordance with section 673(2) of the "Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981," 95 Stat. 511, 42 U.S.C. 9902, as amended, the board shall increase the pension by three per cent.

(b) For persons other than those described in division (B)(1)(a) of this section, the board may increase the pension. Any increase shall be determined by the board based on compliance with the amortization period requirement of section 5505.121 of the Revised Code. The board's determination shall be based on the annual actuarial valuation required by section 5505.12 of the Revised Code. If the board determines that an increase may be made, the increase shall not exceed three per cent of the eligible person's pension.

(2) No increase under this section shall exceed the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 415, as amended.

(3) The date of the first increase paid under this section shall be the anniversary date for future increases. The pension used in the first calculation of an increase under this section shall remain as the base for all future increases paid under this section, unless a new base is established.

(C) If payment of a portion of a benefit is made to an alternate payee under section 5505.261 of the Revised Code, increases under this section granted while the order is in effect shall be apportioned between the alternate payee and the eligible person in the same proportion that the amount being paid to the alternate payee bears to the amount paid to the eligible person.

If payment of a portion of a benefit is made to one or more beneficiaries under "option 4" under division (A)(4) of section 5505.162 of the Revised Code, each increase under this section granted while the plan of payment is in effect shall be divided among the designated beneficiaries in accordance with the portion each beneficiary has been allocated.

(D) The board shall adopt, and may amend or rescind, any rule necessary to carry out this section.

Section 5505.175 | Increase in benefit or allowance when IRC 415 limits increased.

• Effective: July 24, 1990
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 240 - 118th General Assembly

henever the limits established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended, are raised, the state highway patrol retirement board shall increase the amount of the pension, benefit, or allowance of any person whose pension, benefit, or allowance payable under section 5505.17, 5505.174, or 5505.18 of the Revised Code was limited by the application of section 415. The amount of the increased pension, benefit, or allowance shall not exceed the lesser of the amount the person would have received if the limits established by section 415 had not been applied or the amount the person is eligible to receive subject to the new limits established by section 415.

Section 5505.176 | Increase in pension for certain retirees prior to 9-16-98.

• Effective: June 30, 2000
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 189 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement system shall increase the pension payable to each person receiving a pension granted prior to September 16, 1998, that was calculated under division (A)(1) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code on the basis of total service credit of more than twenty-five years. The increase shall be an amount determined by multiplying the pension payable to the member on September 16, 1998, by the product obtained by multiplying by one-half of one per cent the member's years and fraction of a year of service in excess of twenty-five years, except that the increased pension shall not exceed the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended. The increased pension shall be effective on October 1, 1998, and shall be used in determining the amount of the additional benefit paid under section 5505.174 of the Revised Code.

(B) The state highway patrol retirement system shall increase the pension payable to each person receiving a pension granted prior to the effective date of this amendment that was calculated under division (A)(1) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code on the basis of total service credit of more than twenty years. The increase shall be an amount determined by multiplying the pension payable to the member on the effective date of this amendment by the product obtained by multiplying by one-quarter of one per cent the member's years and fraction of a year of service in excess of twenty years but not in excess of twenty-five years, except that the increased pension shall not exceed the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended. The increased pension shall be effective on the first day of the first month following the effective date of this amendment and shall be used in determining the amount of the additional benefit paid under section 5505.174 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.177 | Qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement maintained and established.

• Effective: July 13, 2000
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 190 - 123rd General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement board may establish and maintain a qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement that meets the requirements of division (m) of section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended, and any regulations adopted thereunder. If established, the arrangement shall be a separate portion of the state highway patrol retirement system and be maintained solely for the purpose of providing to retired members that part of a benefit otherwise payable under this chapter that exceeds the limits established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," as amended.

Members participating in an arrangement established under this section shall not be permitted to elect to defer compensation to the arrangement. Contributions to and benefits paid under an arrangement shall not be payable from a trust that is part of the system unless the trust is maintained solely for the purpose of providing such benefits.

The board shall adopt rules to administer an arrangement established under this section.

Section 5505.178 | Pensions paid in equal monthly installments.

• Effective: March 24, 2003
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 373 - 124th General Assembly

Except as provided in division (A)(3) of section 5505.162 of the Revised Code, all pensions shall be paid in equal monthly installments.

Section 5505.18 | Disability retirement.

• Effective: May 11, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 362 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in this section, "member" does not include state highway patrol cadets attending training schools pursuant to section 5503.05 of the Revised Code.

(A) Upon the application of a member of the state highway patrol retirement system, a person acting on behalf of a member, or the superintendent of the state highway patrol on behalf of a member, a member who becomes totally and permanently incapacitated for duty in the employ of the state highway patrol may be retired on disability by the board. To be eligible for retirement on account of disability incurred not in the line of duty, a member must have five or more years of service credit according to rules adopted by the board.

The medical or psychological examination of a member who has applied for disability retirement shall be conducted by a competent health-care professional or professionals appointed by the board. The health-care professional or professionals shall file a written report with the board containing the following information:

(1) Whether the member is totally incapacitated for duty in the employ of the patrol;

(2) Whether the incapacity is expected to be permanent;

(3) The cause of the member's incapacity.

The board shall determine whether the member qualifies for disability retirement and its decision shall be final. The board shall consider the written medical or psychological report, opinions, statements, and other competent evidence in making its determination. If the incapacity is a result of heart disease or any cardiovascular disease of a chronic nature, which disease or any evidence of which was not revealed by the physical examination passed by the member on entry into the patrol, the member is presumed to have incurred the disease in the line of duty as a member of the patrol, unless the contrary is shown by competent evidence.

(B)(1) Except as provided under division (A) of section 5505.58 of the Revised Code, a member whose retirement on account of disability incurred in the line of duty shall receive the applicable pension provided for in section 5505.17 of the Revised Code, except that if the member has less than twenty-five years of contributing service, the member's service credit shall be deemed to be twenty-five years for the purpose of this provision. In no case shall the member's disability pension be less than sixty-one and one-quarter per cent or exceed the lesser of seventy-nine and one-quarter per cent of the member's final average salary or the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended.

(2) Except as provided under division (B) of section 5505.58 of the Revised Code, a member whose retirement on account of disability incurred not in the line of duty shall receive the applicable pension provided for in section 5505.17 of the Revised Code, except that if the board's determination that the member qualifies for disability retirement was made before the effective date of this amendment and the member has less than twenty years of contributing service, the member's service credit shall be deemed to be twenty years for the purpose of this provision. If the board's determination that the member qualifies for disability retirement is made on or after the effective date of this amendment and the member has less than twelve years of contributing service, the member's service credit shall be deemed to be twelve years for the purpose of this provision.

In no case shall the member's disability pension under this division exceed the lesser of seventy-nine and one-quarter per cent of the member's final average salary or the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended.

(C) The state highway patrol retirement board shall adopt rules requiring a disability retirant, as a condition of continuing to receive a disability pension, to agree in writing to obtain any medical or psychological treatment recommended by the board's health-care professional and submit medical or psychological reports regarding the treatment. If the board determines that a disability retirant is not obtaining the medical or psychological treatment or the board does not receive a required medical or psychological report, the disability pension shall be suspended until the treatment is obtained, the report is received by the board, or the board's health-care professional certifies that the treatment is no longer helpful or advisable. Should the retirant's failure to obtain treatment or submit a medical or psychological report continue for one year, the recipient's right to the disability pension shall be terminated as of the effective date of the original suspension.

(D) A disability retirant who has not attained the age of sixty years shall be subject to an annual medical or psychological re-examination by health-care professionals appointed by the board, except that the board may waive the re-examination if the board's health-care professionals certify that the retirant's disability is ongoing. If any retirant refuses to submit to a medical or psychological re-examination, the retirant's disability pension shall be suspended until the retirant withdraws the refusal. If the refusal continues for one year, all the retirant's rights under and to the disability pension shall be terminated as of the effective date of the original suspension.

(E) Each disability retirant who has not attained the age of sixty years shall file with the board an annual statement of earnings, current medical or psychological information on the recipient's condition, and any other information required in rules adopted by the board. The board may waive the requirement that a disability retirant file an annual statement of earnings or current medical or psychological information if the board's health-care professional certifies that the retirant's disability is ongoing.

The board shall annually examine the information submitted by the retirant. If a retirant refuses to file the statement or information, the disability pension shall be suspended until the statement and information are filed. If the refusal continues for one year, the right to the pension shall be terminated as of the effective date of the original suspension.

(F)(1) Except as provided in division (F)(2) of this section, a disability retirant who has been physically or psychologically examined and found no longer incapable of performing the retirant's duties, or who becomes employed as a law enforcement officer, shall have the right to be restored to the rank the retirant held at the time the retirant was pensioned and the right to have all previous rights restored, including the retirant's civil service status, and the disability pension shall terminate. Upon return to employment in the patrol, the retirant shall again become a contributing member of the retirement system, the total service at the time of the retirant's retirement shall be restored to the retirant's credit, and the retirant shall be given service credit for the period the retirant was in receipt of a disability pension.

(2) The state highway patrol is not required to take action under division (F)(1) of this section if the retirant was dismissed or resigned in lieu of dismissal for dishonesty, misfeasance, malfeasance, or conviction of a felony.

(G) The board shall adopt a rule to define "law enforcement officer" for purposes of division (F)(1) of this section, and may adopt other rules to carry out this section, including rules that specify the types of health-care professionals the board may appoint for the purpose of this section.

Section 5505.181 | Annual report disability retirement experience of each employer.

• Effective: April 6, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 272 - 126th General Assembly

Not later than March 1, 2000, and each first day of March thereafter, the state highway patrol retirement board shall make and submit a report for the preceding fiscal year of the disability retirement experience of the state highway patrol. The report shall specify the total number of disability applications submitted, the status of each application as of the last day of the fiscal year, total applications granted or denied, and the percentage of disability benefit recipients to the total number of the patrol's employees who are members of the state highway patrol retirement system. The report shall be submitted to the governor, the Ohio retirement study council, and the chairpersons of the standing committees and subcommittees of the senate and house of representatives with primary responsibility for retirement legislation.

Section 5505.19 | Cessation of membership - disposition of accumulations.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

Subject to section 5505.26 of the Revised Code, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system who ceases to be an employee of the state highway patrol for any cause except death, disability, or retirement, upon application filed in writing with the state highway patrol retirement board, shall be paid the accumulated contributions, less interest, standing to the credit of the member's individual account in the employees' savings fund.

A member described in this section who is married at the time of application for payment and would be eligible for a pension payable under division (A)(1) or (2) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code but for a forfeiture ordered under division (A) or (B) of section 2929.192 of the Revised Code shall submit with the application a written statement by the member's spouse attesting that the spouse consents to the payment of the member's accumulated contributions. Consent shall be valid only if it is signed and witnessed by a notary public. The board may waive the requirement of consent if the spouse is incapacitated or cannot be located, or for any other reason specified by the board. Consent or waiver is effective only with regard to the spouse who is the subject of the consent or waiver.

Section 5505.20 | Restoration of membership.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

Should a member of the state highway patrol retirement system cease to be an employee of the state highway patrol, for any reason, except retirement or death, the member shall thereupon cease to be a member of the retirement system. A member who is paid the member's accumulated contributions under section 5505.19 of the Revised Code shall forfeit the member's total service credit at that time. Should the former member return to the employ of the state highway patrol, the former member shall again become a member. When said re-employment occurs the total service credit last forfeited by the member shall be restored to the member's credit, provided the member pays into the employees' savings fund the amount, if any, the member withdrew therefrom, together with such compound interest as the board may require from the date of withdrawal to the date of repayment. The member may choose to purchase only part of such credit in any one payment, subject to board rules. The return of accumulated contributions shall be made according to such rules as the board shall from time to time adopt.

Section 5505.201 | Full credit for time served as police officer or firefighter.

• Effective: February 20, 2002
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 119 - 124th General Assembly

Except for service credit transferred under section 5505.41 of the Revised Code, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system shall, in computing years of active service in the highway patrol under sections 5505.16, 5505.17, and 5505.18 of the Revised Code, be given full credit for time served as a police officer or firefighter covered under Chapter 742. and former Chapters 521. and 541. of the Revised Code, provided such member pays to the state highway patrol retirement system the amount received by the member under division (I) of former section 521.11, division (I) of former section 741.18, division (I) of former section 741.49, or division (G) of section 742.37 of the Revised Code, with compound interest thereon at a rate to be determined by the state highway patrol retirement board from the date of such receipt to the date of such deposit. A member may choose to purchase only part of such credit in any one payment, subject to board rules.

Upon certification by the state highway patrol retirement board to the board of trustees of the Ohio police and fire pension fund of such payment by the member, the Ohio police and fire pension fund shall pay from the appropriate employers' contribution fund under section 742.59 of the Revised Code to the state highway patrol retirement system an amount equal to the payment of the member.

Section 5505.203 | Payroll deduction plan for payments for service credits.

• Effective: April 6, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 272 - 126th General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement board may establish by rule a payroll deduction plan for payment of the following:

(1) The cost of restoring service credit under section 5505.20 of the Revised Code or purchasing any service credit members of the state highway patrol retirement system are eligible to purchase under this chapter;

(2) Charges for participation in programs established under section 5505.33 of the Revised Code;

(3) Deposits under section 5505.281 of the Revised Code and any charges for participation in the program established under that section.

(B) In addition to any other matter considered relevant by the board, the rules shall specify all of the following:

(1) The types of service credit that may be paid for through payroll deduction, including the section of the Revised Code that authorizes the purchase of each type of service credit for which payment may be made by payroll deduction;

(2) The procedure to be followed by a member to inform the member's employer and the system that the member wishes to purchase service credit under this chapter or pay for participation in programs established under section 5505.33 of the Revised Code through payroll deduction;

(3) The procedure to be followed by the system and employers to determine for each request the amount to be deducted, the number of deductions to be made, and the interval at which deductions will be made. The rules may provide for a minimum amount for each deduction or a maximum number of deductions for the purchase of any type of credit.

(4) The procedure to be followed by employers in transmitting amounts deducted from the salaries of their employees to the system;

(5) The procedure to be followed by the system in crediting service credit to members who choose to purchase it through payroll deduction.

(C) If the board establishes a payroll deduction plan under this section, it shall certify to the member's employer for each member for whom deductions are to be made, the amount of each deduction and the payrolls from which deductions are to be made. The employer shall make the deductions as certified and transmit the amounts deducted in accordance with the rules established by the board under this section.

(D) Rules adopted under this section shall not affect any right to purchase service credit conferred by any other section of the Revised Code, including the right of a member under any such section to purchase only part of the service credit the member is eligible to purchase.

(E) No payroll deduction made pursuant to this section may exceed the amount of a member's net compensation after all other deductions and withholdings required by law.

Section 5505.21 | Distribution of accumulated contributions when no pension payable.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

Should a member or former member of the state highway patrol retirement system die and no pension becomes payable from funds of the system on account of the member's or former member's employment with the patrol, the member's or former member's accumulated contributions, less interest, standing to the member's or former member's credit in the employees' savings fund at the time of death shall be paid to the beneficiary or beneficiaries the member or former member has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the state highway patrol retirement board. A member or former member may designate an individual or a trust as a beneficiary. If there is no designated beneficiary surviving the member or former member, the member's or former member's accumulated contributions shall be paid according to the state law of descent and distribution; provided that, if the member's or former member's accumulated contributions are not claimed by an eligible person or by the estate of the deceased member or former member within seven years, they shall be transferred to the income fund of the system and after that shall be paid from that fund to such person or estate upon application to the board.

Section 5505.22 | Pension and accumulated contributions exempt from tax.

• Effective: January 1, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

The right of any individual to a pension, or to the return of accumulated contributions, payable as provided under this chapter, and all moneys and investments of the state highway patrol retirement system and income from moneys or investments are exempt from any state tax, except the tax imposed by section 5747.02 of the Revised Code, and are exempt from any county, municipal, or other local tax, except income taxes imposed pursuant to section 5748.02, 5748.08, or 5748.09 of the Revised Code, and, except as provided in sections 3105.171, 3105.65, 3115.501, 3119.80, 3119.81, 3121.02, 3121.03, 3123.06, 5505.26, 5505.262, and 5505.263 of the Revised Code, shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or any other process of law whatsoever, and shall be unassignable except as specifically provided in this chapter.

Section 5505.23 | Legal adviser.

• Effective: January 1, 1966
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 840 - 106th General Assembly

The attorney general shall be the legal adviser to the state highway patrol retirement board.

Section 5505.25 | Purchase service credit for military service.

• Effective: March 30, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 71 - 126th General Assembly

(A)(1) A member of the state highway patrol retirement system who is not receiving a pension from the system may purchase service credit for each year or portion of a year of service incurred by reason of having been on active duty as a member of the uniformed services of the United States if the member is honorably discharged.

(2) On presentation of documentation of the service and subject to state highway patrol retirement board rules, a member who is not receiving a pension from the system may purchase service credit for each year or portion of a year of service incurred by reason of having been on active duty as a member of the Ohio national guard or a reserve component of any of the armed forces for which the member is not eligible to purchase credit under division (A)(1) of this section.

For purposes of division (A)(2) of this section, active duty in the reserves or the Ohio national guard includes assembly for drill and instruction; training at encampments, maneuvers, outdoor target practice, or other exercises; and any training or duty in this state ordered by the governor.

(3) Credit shall not be granted for any period of duty during which the member was contributing to the retirement system.

Credits that are not authorized under division (D) of section 5505.16 of the Revised Code may be purchased at any time. The number of years purchased under this division shall not exceed five.

(B) For the purposes of this division, "prisoner of war" means any regularly appointed, enrolled, enlisted, or inducted member of the uniformed services of the United States who was captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy of the United States.

A member may purchase service credit for each year of service such member was a prisoner of war. The number of years purchased under this division shall not exceed five. Service credit may be purchased under this division for the same years of service used to purchase service credit under division (A) of this section. The member may choose to purchase only part of such credit in any one payment, subject to board rules.

(C) The total number of years purchased under this section shall not exceed the member's total accumulated number of years in the service of the state highway patrol.

Credit purchased by a member under this section shall be used to determine the member's eligibility for retirement under sections 5505.16 and 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) For each year or portion of a year of service purchased under division (A)(1) or (B) of this section, the member shall pay to the system for credit to the member's accumulated account an amount determined by the member rate of contribution in effect at the time the military service began multiplied by the annual compensation for full-time employment during the first year of service in Ohio following termination of military service. To this amount shall be added an amount equal to compound interest at a rate established by the state highway patrol retirement board from the date active military service terminated to date of payment.

(2) For each year or portion of a year of service in the reserves or Ohio national guard purchased under division (A)(2) of this section, the member shall pay to the retirement system for credit to the member's individual account an amount equal to one hundred per cent of the additional liability resulting from the purchase of that year of service as determined by an actuary employed by the board. The retirement system shall calculate the number of years or portions of a year of credit the member is eligible to purchase under division (A)(2) of this section by dividing the number of days actually served by three hundred sixty-five.

(E) A member is ineligible to purchase service credit under this section for any year of military service that was:

(1) Used in the calculation of any retirement benefit currently being paid to the member or payable in the future under any other retirement program, except for retired pay for nonregular service under Chapter 1223 of Section 1662 of Title XVI of the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995," 108 Stat. 2998 (1994), 10 U.S.C.A. 12731 to 12739, or social security;

(2) Used to obtain service credit pursuant to section 5505.16 of the Revised Code.

At the time the credit is purchased, the member shall certify on a form furnished by the board that the member does and will conform to this requirement. Any benefit paid under this section to which the member is not entitled shall be recovered by any recovery procedures available under this chapter.

As used in this section, "uniformed services" of the United States has the same meaning as in division (D) of section 5505.16 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.26 | Restitution order based on theft in office or certain sex offenses.

• Effective: December 6, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 668 - 121st General Assembly

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any payment that is to be made under a pension or other type of benefit, other than a survivorship benefit, that has been granted to a person under this chapter, any payment of accumulated contributions standing to a person's credit under this chapter, and any payment of any other amounts to be paid to a person under this chapter upon withdrawal of contributions pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to any withholding order issued pursuant to section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or division (C)(2)(b) of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, and the state highway patrol retirement board shall comply with that withholding order in making the payment.

(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the board receives notice pursuant to section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or division (D) of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code that a person who has accumulated contributions standing to the person's credit pursuant to this chapter is charged with a violation of section 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, or 2921.41 of the Revised Code, no payment of those accumulated contributions or of any other amounts to be paid under this chapter upon the person's withdrawal of contributions pursuant to this chapter shall be made prior to whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) If the person is convicted of or pleads guilty to the charge and no motion for a withholding order for purposes of restitution has been filed under section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or division (C)(2)(b)(i) of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, thirty days after the day on which final disposition of the charge is made;

(2) If the person is convicted of or pleads guilty to the charge and a motion for a withholding order for purposes of restitution has been filed under section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or division (C)(2)(b)(i) of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, the day on which the court decides the motion;

(3) If the charge is dismissed or the person is found not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity of the charge, the day on which final disposition of the charge is made.

Section 5505.261 | Order for division of marital property.

• Effective: January 1, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "alternate payee," "benefit," "lump sum payment," "participant," and "public retirement program" have the same meanings as in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code.

(B) On receipt of an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code, the state highway patrol retirement system shall determine whether the order meets the requirements of sections 3105.80 to 3105.90 of the Revised Code. The system shall retain in the participant's record an order the system determines meets the requirements. Not later than sixty days after receipt, the system shall return to the court that issued the order any order the system determines does not meet the requirements.

(C) The system shall comply with an order retained under division (B) of this section at either of the following times as appropriate:

(1) If the participant has applied for or is receiving a benefit or has applied for but not yet received a lump sum payment, as soon as practicable;

(2) If the participant has not applied for a benefit or lump sum payment, on application by the participant for a benefit or lump sum payment.

(D) If the system transfers a participant's service credit or contributions made by or on behalf of a participant to a public retirement program that is not named in the order, the system shall do both of the following:

(1) Notify the court that issued the order by sending the court a copy of the order and the name and address of the public retirement program to which the transfer was made.

(2) Send a copy of the order to the public retirement program to which the transfer was made.

(E) If it receives a participant's service credit or contributions and a copy of an order as provided in division (D) of this section, the system shall administer the order as if it were the public retirement program named in the order.

(F) If a participant's benefit or lump sum payment is or will be subject to more than one order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code or to an order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code and a withholding order under section 3111.23 or 3113.21 of the Revised Code, the system shall, after determining that the amounts that are or will be withheld will cause the benefit or lump sum payment to fall below the limits described in section 3105.85 of the Revised Code, do all of the following:

(1) Establish, in accordance with division (G) of this section and subject to the limits described in section 3105.85 of the Revised Code, the priority in which the orders are or will be paid by the retirement system in accordance with division (G) of this section;

(2) Reduce the amount paid to an alternate payee based on the priority established under division (F)(1) of this section;

(3) Notify, by regular mail, a participant and alternate payee of any action taken under this division.

(G) A withholding or deduction notice issued under section 3111.23 or 3113.21 of the Revised Code or an order described in section 3115.501 of the Revised Code has priority over all other orders and shall be complied with in accordance with child support enforcement laws. All other orders are entitled to priority in order of earliest retention by the system. The system is not to retain an order that provides for the division of property unless the order is filed in a court with jurisdiction in this state.

(H) The system is not liable in civil damages for loss resulting from any action or failure to act in compliance with this section.

Section 5505.262 | Forfeiture of retirement benefits under RC 2929.192.

• Effective: May 13, 2008
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 3 - 127th General Assembly

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any payment of accumulated contributions standing to a person's credit under this chapter and any other amount or amounts to be paid to a person who is a contributor under this chapter upon the person's withdrawal of contributions pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to any forfeiture ordered under division (A) or (B) of section 2929.192 of the Revised Code, and the state highway patrol retirement system shall comply with that order in making the payment. Upon payment of the person's accumulated contributions and cancellation of the corresponding service credit, a person who is subject to the forfeiture described in this division may not restore the canceled service credit under this chapter or under Chapter 145., 742., 3305., 3307., or 3309. of the Revised Code.

(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the system receives notice pursuant to section 2901.43 of the Revised Code that a person who has accumulated contributions standing to the person's credit pursuant to this chapter is charged with any offense or violation listed or described in divisions (D)(1) to (3) of section 2929.192 of the Revised Code that is a felony in the circumstances specified in the particular division, all of the following apply:

(1) No payment of those accumulated contributions or of any other amount or amounts to be paid to a person who is a contributor under this chapter upon the person's withdrawal of contributions pursuant to this chapter shall be made prior to whichever of the following is applicable:

(a) If the person is convicted of or pleads guilty to the charge and forfeiture is ordered under division (A) or (B) of section 2929.192 of the Revised Code, the day on which the system receives from the court a copy of the journal entry of the offender's sentence under that section;

(b) If the charge against the person is dismissed, the person is found not guilty of the charge, or the person is found not guilty by reason of insanity of the charge, the day on which the system receives notice of the final disposition of the charge.

(2) The system shall not process any application for payment under this chapter from the person prior to the final disposition of the charge.

Section 5505.263 | Benefits subject to termination.

• Effective: July 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 123 - 129th General Assembly

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a disability benefit granted under this chapter is subject to an order issued under section 2929.193 of the Revised Code. The state highway patrol retirement board shall comply with the order.

On receipt of notice under section 2901.43 of the Revised Code that a state highway patrol retirement system member is charged with an offense listed in division (D) of section 2929.192 of the Revised Code under the circumstances specified in that division, the system shall determine whether the member has been granted a disability benefit. If so, the system shall send written notice to the prosecutor assigned to the case that the member has been granted a disability benefit under this chapter and may be subject to section 2929.193 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.27 | Payments from state treasury.

• Effective: December 1, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 530 - 126th General Assembly

All amounts due the state highway patrol retirement system from the state treasury pursuant to this chapter shall be promptly paid upon warrant of the director of budget and management pursuant to a voucher approved by the director.

Section 5505.28 | Health insurance.

• Effective: January 7, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 345 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The state highway patrol retirement board may enter into an agreement with insurance companies, health insuring corporations, or government agencies authorized to do business in the state for issuance of a policy or contract of health, medical, hospital, or surgical benefits, or any combination thereof, for those persons receiving pensions and subscribing to the plan. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the policy or contract may also include coverage for any eligible individual's spouse and dependent children and for any of the individual's sponsored dependents as the board considers appropriate.

If all or any portion of the policy or contract premium is to be paid by any individual receiving a service, disability, or survivor pension or benefit, the individual shall, by written authorization, instruct the board to deduct from the individual's pension or benefit the premium agreed to be paid by the individual to the company, corporation, or agency.

The board may contract for coverage on the basis of part or all of the cost of the coverage to be paid from appropriate funds of the state highway patrol retirement system. The cost paid from the funds of the system shall be included in the employer's contribution rate as provided by section 5505.15 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board shall, beginning the month following receipt of satisfactory evidence of the payment for coverage, pay monthly to each recipient of a pension under the state highway patrol retirement system who is eligible for coverage under part B of the medicare program established under Title XVIII of "The Social Security Amendments of 1965," 79 Stat. 301 (1965), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395j, as amended, an amount established by board rule not exceeding the basic premium for such coverage.

(C) The board shall establish by rule requirements for the coordination of any coverage, payment, or benefit provided under this section with any similar coverage, payment, or benefit made available to the same individual by the public employees retirement system, Ohio police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, or school employees retirement system.

(D) The board shall make all other necessary rules pursuant to the purpose and intent of this section.

Section 5505.281 | Additional deposits to fund medical expenses.

• Effective: April 6, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 272 - 126th General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement board may establish a program under which a member or a member's employer is permitted to make additional deposits for the purpose of providing funds for the payment of health, medical, hospital, surgical, dental, or vision care expenses, including insurance premiums, deductible amounts, or copayments. The program may be a voluntary employees' beneficiary association, as described in section 501(c)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(9), as amended; an account described in section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 401(h), as amended; a medical savings account; or a similar type of program under which an individual may accumulate funds for the purpose of paying such expenses. To implement the program, the board may enter into agreements with insurance companies or other entities authorized to conduct business in this state.

If the board establishes a program under this section, it shall adopt rules to administer the program.

Section 5505.29 | Refunding cost of restored service credit.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 520 - 131st General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement board shall refund the cost of service credit restored under section 5505.20 or purchased under division (D) of section 5505.16, division (C) of section 5505.17, or section 5505.201, 5505.25, 5505.40, or 5505.402 of the Revised Code to the extent the credit does not, or, in the case of a person who retired or died prior to June 30, 2000, did not, increase the pension provided to the retirant or surviving spouse under section 5505.16, 5505.162, 5505.17, or 5505.18 of the Revised Code. The board shall provide the refund to the retirant or surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, the beneficiary designated by the retirant on a form provided by the state highway patrol retirement system. A retirant may designate an individual or a trust as a beneficiary. If there is no surviving spouse or designated beneficiary, the refund shall be provided to the retirant's estate. The refund cancels an equivalent amount of service credit.

Section 5505.30 | Lump sum death benefit payment.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 520 - 131st General Assembly

On the death of a retirant, a lump-sum payment of five thousand dollars shall be paid to the retirant's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, the payment shall be made to the beneficiary designated by the retirant on a form provided by the state highway patrol retirement system. A retirant may designate an individual or a trust as a beneficiary. If there is no surviving spouse or designated beneficiary, the payment shall be made to the retirant's estate.

Application for the payment shall be made on a form provided by the state highway patrol retirement board.

A benefit paid under this section shall be treated as life insurance for purposes of this chapter and shall be funded solely from contributions made under division (B) of section 5505.15 of the Revised Code and any earnings attributable to those contributions.

Section 5505.33 | Long-term care insurance programs.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 42 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Long-term care insurance" has the same meaning as in section 3923.41 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Retirement systems" has the same meaning as in division (A) of section 145.581 of the Revised Code.

(B) The state highway patrol retirement board may establish a program under which members of the retirement system, employers on behalf of members, and persons receiving service or disability pensions or survivor benefits are permitted to participate in contracts for long-term care insurance. Participation may include dependents and family members. If a participant in a contract for long-term care insurance leaves employment, the person and the person's dependents and family members may, at their election, continue to participate in a program established under this section in the same manner as if the person had not left employment, except that no part of the cost of the insurance shall be paid by the person's former employer. Such program may be established independently or jointly with one or more of the retirement systems.

(C) The board may enter into an agreement with insurance companies, health insuring corporations, or government agencies authorized to do business in the state for issuance of a long-term care insurance policy or contract. However, prior to entering into such an agreement with an insurance company or health insuring corporation, the board shall request the superintendent of insurance to certify the financial condition of the company or corporation. The board shall not enter into the agreement if, according to that certification, the company or corporation is insolvent, is determined by the superintendent to be potentially unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, or is placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction or under an order of supervision by the superintendent.

(D) The board may adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code governing the program. Any rules adopted by the board shall establish methods of payment for participation under this section, which may include establishment of a payroll deduction plan under section 5505.203 of the Revised Code, deduction of the full premium charged from a person's service or disability pension or survivor benefit, or any other method of payment considered appropriate by the board. If the program is established jointly with one or more of the other retirement systems, the rules also shall establish the terms and conditions of such joint participation.

Section 5505.34 | Recovering erroneous payments.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 42 - 130th General Assembly

If a person is paid any benefit or payment by the state highway patrol retirement system to which the person is not entitled, the benefit or payment shall be repaid to the retirement system by the person. If the person fails to make the repayment, the retirement system shall withhold the amount due from any benefit or payment due the person or the person's beneficiary or may collect the amount in any other manner provided by law.

Section 5505.35 | Authorized deductions.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 520 - 131st General Assembly

Any person receiving from the state highway patrol retirement system an allowance, pension, or benefit may authorize the system to make deductions therefrom for the payment of dues and other membership fees to any retirement association or other organization composed primarily of retired state highway patrol employees or retired state highway patrol employees and their spouses if the association or organization adopts a resolution approving payment by that method and not fewer than one hundred persons receiving allowances, pensions, or benefits from the system initially authorize the deduction for payment to the same association or organization. The authorization must be in writing and signed by the person giving it. The system shall make the deductions authorized and pay to the association or organization the amounts deducted, until the authorization is revoked in writing by the person. The system may charge the association or organization an amount not exceeding the actual costs incurred by the system in making the deductions. The system shall adopt rules establishing the method of collecting the amount charged, if any.

Section 5505.40 | Full credit for service credit earned for full-time service as member of non-uniform system.

• Effective: February 20, 2002
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 119 - 124th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and section 5505.41 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Full-time service" means full-time service as defined by rule which shall be adopted by the state highway patrol retirement board.

(2) "Military service credit" means credit for service in the armed forces of the United States purchased or obtained under this chapter or Chapter 145., 3307., or 3309. of the Revised Code.

(3) "Non-uniform retirement system" or "non-uniform system" means the public employees retirement system, school employees retirement system, or state teachers retirement system.

(B)(1)(a) For purposes of computing the pension payable under section 5505.17 or 5505.18 of the Revised Code, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system who is a former member of a non-uniform retirement system and has received a return of contributions from the non-uniform system shall be given full credit for service credit earned for full-time service as a member of the non-uniform system or purchased or obtained as military service credit if, for each year of service credit, the state highway patrol retirement system receives the sum of the following:

(i) An amount, which shall be paid by the member to the member's credit in the employees' savings fund, equal to the amount received by the member from the non-uniform system for that year that is attributable to contributions made for full-time service and payments for military service credit, plus interest at a rate established by the board on that amount from the date payment was made to the member by the non-uniform system to the date the member makes the payment to the state highway patrol retirement system;

(ii) If a member is seeking credit for service under the public employees retirement system or state teachers retirement system, an amount, which shall be paid by the member, equal to the amount of any employer contributions and interest on employee contributions the member received under section 145.40 or 3307.563 of the Revised Code;

(iii) Interest, which shall be transferred by the non-uniform system, on the amount received by the member that is attributable to the year of service from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned or in which payment was made for military service credit to the date the amount was paid to the member;

(iv) An amount, which shall be transferred by the non-uniform system, equal to the lesser of the employer's contributions to the non-uniform system for the year of service or the amount that would have been contributed by the employer for the full-time service had the member been a member of the state highway patrol retirement system at the time the credit was earned, with interest on that amount from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned or in which payment was made for military service credit to the date the transfer is made.

(b) On receipt of payment from the member, the state highway patrol retirement system shall notify the non-uniform system, which, on receipt of the notice, shall make the transfer required by this division. Interest shall be determined in accordance with division (F) of this section.

(c) The amount transferred under division (B)(1)(a) of this section by the public employees retirement system or state teachers retirement system shall not include any amount of employer contributions and interest on employee contributions the member received under section 145.40 or 3307.563 of the Revised Code.

(2) For purposes of computing the pension payable under section 5505.17 or 5505.18 of the Revised Code, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system who has contributions on deposit with a non-uniform retirement system shall be given full credit for service credit earned for full-time service as a member of that non-uniform system or any service credit purchased or obtained as military service credit if, for each year of service, the non-uniform system transfers to the state highway patrol retirement system the sum of the following:

(a) The amount, contributed by the member or, in the case of military service, paid by the member, that is attributable to that service;

(b) An amount equal to the lesser of the employer's contributions to the non-uniform system for the year of service or the amount that would have been contributed by the employer for the full-time service had the member been a member of the state highway patrol retirement system at the time the credit was earned;

(c) Interest, determined in accordance with division (F) of this section, on the amounts specified in divisions (B)(2)(a) and (b) of this section from the last day of the year for which the service credit in the non-uniform system was earned or in which military service credit was purchased or obtained to the date the transfer is made.

On receipt of a request from the member, the appropriate non-uniform system shall make the transfer.

(3) Unless section 5505.402 of the Revised Code applies, for purposes of computing the pension payable under section 5505.17 or 5505.18 of the Revised Code, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system who has contributions on deposit with the Cincinnati retirement system shall be given full credit for service credit earned for full-time service as a member of that retirement system or purchased or obtained as military service credit if, for each year of service credit, the state highway patrol retirement system receives the sum of the following:

(a) An amount, which shall be paid by the member to the member's credit in the employees' savings fund, equal to the amount withdrawn from the Cincinnati retirement system that is attributable to that year of service, with interest on that amount determined in accordance with division (F) of this section from the date of withdrawal to the date of payment;

(b) Interest, which shall be paid either by the member or the Cincinnati retirement system, on the amount withdrawn from the Cincinnati retirement system that is attributable to the year of service from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned or in which payment was made for military service credit to the date the amount was withdrawn;

(c) An amount, which shall be paid either by the member or the Cincinnati retirement system, equal to the lesser of the employer's contributions to the Cincinnati retirement system for the year of service or the amount that would have been contributed by the employer for the full-time service had the member been a member of the state highway patrol retirement system at the time the credit was earned, with interest on that amount from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned or in which payment was made for military service to the date the payment is made.

(C) If a member who is not a current contributor and has not received a refund of accumulated contributions elects to receive credit under section 145.295, 3307.761, or 3309.73 of the Revised Code for service for which the member contributed to the state highway patrol retirement system and credit purchased as military service credit, the state highway patrol retirement system shall transfer to the appropriate retirement system the amount specified in division (C) of section 145.295, division (B) of section 3307.761, or division (B) of section 3309.73 of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) A member is ineligible to purchase or otherwise receive credit under this section for service that is used in the calculation of any retirement benefit currently being paid or that is payable in the future to the member under any other retirement program, service rendered concurrently with any other period for which service credit has already been granted, or for service credit that may be transferred under section 5505.41 of the Revised Code.

(2) Except as provided under division (D)(3) of this section, no service credit purchased under this section or received as a result of a transfer requested under this section shall be used to determine any member's eligibility for retirement under sections 5505.16 and 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

(3) Service credit obtained under this section by a member for military service credit or for service as a state highway patrol cadet attending training school pursuant to section 5503.05 of the Revised Code shall be used to determine the member's eligibility for retirement under sections 5505.16 and 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

(4) Subject to rules of the state highway patrol retirement system, a member may choose to purchase only part of the credit the member is eligible to purchase under division (B)(1) or (3) of this section.

(E) At the request of the state highway patrol retirement system, the non-uniform retirement system or Cincinnati retirement system shall certify to the state highway patrol retirement system a copy of the records of service, salary, and contributions of a member who seeks service credit under this section.

(F) Interest charged under this section shall be calculated separately for each year of service credit. Unless otherwise specified in this section, it shall be calculated at the lesser of the actuarial assumption rate for that year of the state highway patrol retirement system or of the system in which the credit was earned. The interest shall be compounded annually.

(G) The state highway patrol retirement system board may adopt rules establishing procedures for the purchase of service credit or the transfer of contributions under this section.

Section 5505.401 | Transfers of service credit and contributions between system and Cincinnati retirement system.

• Effective: April 1, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and sections 5505.402 and 5505.403 of the Revised Code, "military service credit" means credit purchased or obtained from the state highway patrol retirement system or city of Cincinnati retirement system for service in the armed forces of the United States.

(B) Service credit and contributions may be transferred between the state highway patrol retirement system and the Cincinnati retirement system as specified in sections 5505.402 and 5505.403 of the Revised Code if both of the following conditions are met:

(1) The Cincinnati city council and the board of trustees of the Cincinnati retirement system take all actions, including the adoption of any ordinance or resolution, necessary to authorize the transfer of service credit and contributions between the retirement systems.

(2) The state highway patrol retirement system and Cincinnati retirement system, through their boards of trustees, enter into an agreement governing the transfers that is consistent with the requirements of sections 5505.402 and 5505.403 of the Revised Code and includes both of the following:

(a) A provision under which the retirement systems agree to transfer the amounts specified in those sections;

(b) A provision that specifies an amount of credit the system to which the transfer is made will grant for a specific period of service earned under the transferring system.

(C) The amount of credit specified under division (B)(2) of this section may be less than the person earned for a specific period of service under the transferring system.

(D)(1) The state highway patrol retirement system, through its board of trustees, and the Cincinnati retirement system, acting pursuant to the authority granted it by the Cincinnati city council, may do either of the following:

(a) By mutual consent, modify the agreement described in this section;

(b) Rescind the agreement described in this section.

(2) Any action taken under division (D)(1) of this section does not affect any transfers made between the systems and grants of credit made by the systems prior to the time action is taken.

(3) Rescinding of an agreement as provided in division (D)(1)(b) of this section does not require mutual consent. The retirement system that rescinds the agreement must promptly notify the other.

(E) If either of the conditions described in division (B) of this section is not met, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system who meets the requirements of section 5505.40 of the Revised Code may purchase credit under division (B)(3) of that section for service in the Cincinnati retirement system.

Section 5505.402 | Eligibility for credit for service in Cincinnati retirement system.

• Effective: April 1, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) If the conditions described in division (B) of section 5505.401 of the Revised Code are met, a member of the state highway patrol retirement system who is not receiving a pension or benefit from the state highway patrol retirement system is eligible to obtain credit for service as a member of the Cincinnati retirement system under this section.

(B) A member of the state highway patrol retirement system who has contributions on deposit with the Cincinnati retirement system shall, in computing years of service credit, be given credit for service credit earned for full-time service as a member of the Cincinnati retirement system or purchased or obtained as military service credit if for each year of service, the Cincinnati retirement system transfers to the state highway patrol retirement system the sum of the following:

(1) The amount, contributed by the member, or, in the case of military service credit, paid by the member, that is attributable to that service;

(2) An amount equal to the lesser of the employer's contributions to the Cincinnati retirement system for the year of service or the amount that would have been contributed by the employer for the full-time service had the member been a member of the state highway patrol retirement system at the time the credit was earned;

(3) Interest on the amounts specified in divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned or in which payment was made for military service credit to the date the transfer is made.

(C) A member of the state highway patrol retirement system who has received a refund of the member's contributions to the Cincinnati retirement system shall, in computing years of service, be given credit for service credit earned for full-time service as a member of the Cincinnati retirement system or purchased or obtained as military service credit if both of the following occur:

(1) For each year of service, the Cincinnati retirement system transfers to the state highway patrol retirement system the sum of the following:

(a) Interest on the amount refunded to the member that is attributable to the year of service from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned or in which payment was made for military service credit to the date the refund was made;

(b) An amount equal to the lesser of the employer's contributions to the Cincinnati retirement system for the year of service or the amount that would have been contributed by the employer for the full-time service had the member been a member of the state highway patrol retirement system at the time the credit was earned, with interest on that amount from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned to the date of the transfer.

(2) The member pays an amount equal to the amount refunded by the Cincinnati retirement system to the member for that year for contributions and payments for military service, with interest at a rate established by the board of trustees of the state highway patrol retirement system on that amount from the date of the refund to the date of payment.

(D) Interest charged under this section shall be calculated separately for each year of service credit. Unless otherwise specified in this section, it shall be calculated at the lesser of the actuarial assumption rate for that year of the state highway patrol retirement system or the Cincinnati retirement system. The interest shall be compounded annually.

(E) Subject to the rules of the state highway patrol retirement system, a member may choose to purchase only part of the credit the member is eligible to purchase under division (C) of this section.

(F) A member of the state highway patrol retirement system is ineligible to receive credit under this section for service that is used in the calculation of any retirement benefit currently paid or payable in the future to the member, or service rendered concurrently with any other period for which service credit has already been granted.

(G) At the request of the state highway patrol retirement system, the Cincinnati retirement system shall certify to the state highway patrol retirement system a copy of the records of service, salary, and contributions of a member who seeks service credit under this section.

(H) On receipt of payment from the member under division (C)(2) of this section, the state highway patrol retirement system shall notify the Cincinnati retirement system. On receipt of the notice, the Cincinnati retirement system shall transfer the amount described in division (C)(1) of this section.

(I) In addition to entering into an agreement with the Cincinnati retirement system under section 5505.401 of the Revised Code, the state highway patrol retirement system may adopt rules establishing procedures for the purchase of service credit under this section.

Section 5505.403 | Transferring contributions to Cincinnati retirement system.

• Effective: April 1, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) If the conditions described in division (B) of section 5505.401 of the Revised Code are met and a person who is a member or former member of the state highway patrol retirement system but not a current contributor and who is not receiving a pension or benefit from the state highway patrol retirement system elects to receive credit under the Cincinnati retirement system for service for which the person contributed to the state highway patrol retirement system or purchased or obtained as military service credit, the state highway patrol retirement system shall transfer the amounts specified in division (B) or (C) of this section to the Cincinnati retirement system.

(B) If a person has not received a refund of accumulated contributions from the state highway patrol retirement system, the retirement system shall, for each year of service credit, transfer to the Cincinnati retirement system the sum of the following:

(1) An amount equal to the person's contributions to the state highway patrol retirement system and payments made by the member for military service credit;

(2) An amount equal to the lesser of the employer's contributions to the state highway patrol retirement system for the year of service or the amount that would have been contributed by the employer for the service had the person been a member of the Cincinnati retirement system at the time the credit was earned;

(3) Interest on the amounts specified in divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section for the period from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned or in which payment was made for military service credit to the date the transfer was made.

(C) If the person has received a refund of accumulated contributions to the state highway patrol retirement system, the retirement system shall, for each year of service credit, transfer to the Cincinnati retirement system the sum of the following:

(1) Interest on the amount refunded to the former member that is attributable to the year of service from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned or in which payment was made for military service credit to the date the refund was made;

(2) An amount equal to the lesser of the employer's contributions to the state highway patrol retirement system for the year of service or the amount that would have been contributed by the employer for the service had the person been a member of the Cincinnati retirement system at the time the credit was earned, with interest on that amount from the last day of the year for which the service credit was earned to the date of the transfer.

(D) The amount transferred under division (C)(1) of this section shall not include any amount of interest the Cincinnati retirement system paid to the person when it made the refund.

(E) On receipt of notice from the Cincinnati retirement system that the Cincinnati retirement system has received payment from a person described in division (C) of this section, the state highway patrol retirement system shall transfer the amount described in that division.

(F) Interest charged under this section shall be calculated separately for each year of service credit. Unless otherwise specified in this section, it shall be calculated at the lesser of the actuarial assumption rate for that year of the state highway patrol retirement system or the Cincinnati retirement system. The interest shall be compounded annually.

(G) The transfer of any amount under this section cancels an equivalent amount of service credit.

(H) At the request of the Cincinnati retirement system, the state highway patrol retirement system shall certify to the Cincinnati retirement system a copy of the records of the service and contributions of a member or former member of the state highway patrol retirement system who elects to receive service credit under the Cincinnati retirement system.

(I) In addition to entering into an agreement with the Cincinnati retirement system under section 5505.401 of the Revised Code, the state highway patrol retirement system board may adopt rules establishing procedures for the transfer of contributions under this section.

Section 5505.41 | Transferring contributions on deposit from non-uniform retirement system.

• Effective: February 20, 2002
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 119 - 124th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "transferred service credit" means service credit purchased or obtained under section 145.295, 145.2913, 3307.761, 3307.765, 3309.73, or 3309.731 of the Revised Code prior to the date a member commenced the employment covered by the state highway patrol retirement system for which the member is currently contributing to the system.

(B) A member of the state highway patrol retirement system who has contributions on deposit with, but is no longer contributing to, a non-uniform retirement system shall, in computing years of service, be given full credit for transferred service credit if a transfer to the state highway patrol retirement system is made under this section. At the request of a member, the non-uniform system shall transfer to the state highway patrol retirement system the sum of the following:

(1) An amount equal to the amounts transferred to the non-uniform system under section 145.295, 145.2913, 3307.761, 3307.765, 3309.73, or 3309.731 of the Revised Code;

(2) Interest, determined as provided in division (E) of this section, on the amount specified in division (B)(1) of this section for the period from the last day of the year in which the transfer under section 145.295, 145.2913, 3307.761, 3307.765, 3309.73, or 3309.731 of the Revised Code was made to the date a transfer is made under this section.

(C) A member with at least eighteen months of contributing service credit with the state highway patrol retirement system who has received a refund of contributions to a non-uniform retirement system shall, in computing years of service, be given full credit for transferred service credit if, for each year of service, the state highway patrol retirement system receives the sum of the following:

(1) An amount, which shall be paid by the member, equal to the amount refunded by the non-uniform system to the member for that year for transferred service credit, with interest on that amount from the date of the refund to the date a payment is made under this section;

(2) Interest, which shall be transferred by the non-uniform system, on the amount refunded to the member for the period from the last day of the year in which the transfer under section 145.295, 145.2913, 3307.761, 3307.765, 3309.73, or 3309.731 of the Revised Code was made to the date the refund was made;

(3) If the non-uniform system retained any portion of the amount transferred under section 145.295, 145.2913, 3307.761, 3307.765, 3309.73, or 3309.731 of the Revised Code, an amount, which shall be transferred by the non-uniform system, equal to the amount retained, with interest on that amount for the period from the last day of the year in which the transfer under section 145.295, 145.2913, 3307.761, 3307.765, 3309.73, or 3309.731 of the Revised Code was made to the date a transfer is made under this section.

On receipt of payment from the member, the state highway patrol retirement system shall notify the non-uniform system, which, on receipt of the notice, shall make the transfer required by this division. Interest shall be determined as provided in division (E) of this section.

(D) Service credit purchased or obtained under this section shall be used in computing the pensions payable under section 5505.17 or 5505.18 of the Revised Code. A member may choose to purchase only part of the credit the member is eligible to purchase under division (C) of this section in any one payment, subject to rules adopted by the state highway patrol retirement board. A member is ineligible to purchase or obtain service credit under this section for service to be used in the calculation of any retirement benefit currently being paid or payable to the member in the future under any other retirement program or for service credit that may be purchased or obtained under section 5505.40 of the Revised Code.

(E) Interest charged under this section shall be calculated separately for each year of service credit at the lesser of the actuarial assumption rate for that year of the state highway patrol retirement system or of the non-uniform retirement system to which the credit was transferred under section 145.295, 145.2913, 3307.761, 3307.765, 3309.73, or 3309.731 of the Revised Code. The interest shall be compounded annually.

(F) Any amounts transferred or paid under divisions (B) and (C) of this section that are attributable to contributions made by the member or to amounts paid to purchase service credit shall be credited to the employees' savings fund created under section 5505.03 of the Revised Code. Any remaining amounts shall be credited to one or more of the funds created under that section as determined by the board.

(G) At the request of the state highway patrol retirement system, the non-uniform retirement system shall certify to the state highway patrol retirement system a copy of the records of the service and contributions of a member who seeks service credit under this section. The non-uniform retirement system shall specify the portions of the amounts transferred that are attributable to employee contributions, employer contributions, and interest.

(H) If a member who is not a current contributor elects to receive service credit under section 145.2913, 3307.765, or 3309.731 of the Revised Code for transferred service credit, as defined in those sections, the system shall transfer to the non-uniform retirement system, as applicable, the amount specified in division (B) or (C) of section 145.2913, division (B) or (C) of section 3307.765, or division (B) or (C) of section 3309.731 of the Revised Code.

(I) The board may adopt rules to implement this section.

Section 5505.50 | Deferred retirement option plan.

• Effective: June 15, 2006
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 206 - 126th General Assembly

The state highway patrol retirement board shall establish and administer a deferred retirement option plan. In establishing and administering the plan, the board shall comply with sections 5505.51 to 5505.59 of the Revised Code and may do all things necessary to meet the requirements of section 401(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," (26 U.S.C. 401(a)) as amended, applicable to governmental plans.

The board shall adopt rules to implement this section and sections 5505.51 to 5505.59 of the Revised Code. The rules shall specify the date of initial implementation of the plan established under this section. The rules may also specify a period during which an election made under section 5505.51 of the Revised Code may be rescinded.

Section 5505.51 | Participation in deferred retirement plan - election procedure.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 520 - 131st General Assembly

A state highway patrol retirement system member who meets the following requirements may, at any time prior to applying for retirement under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, elect to participate in the deferred retirement option plan established under section 5505.50 of the Revised Code:

(A) The member is younger than fifty-eight years of age.

(B) The member is eligible to apply for retirement under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, except that eligibility to apply for a reduced pension under division (B) of that section does not make a member eligible to elect to participate in the deferred retirement option plan.

The member shall make the election by filing with the retirement system an election form provided by the system. The election is effective on the first day of the employer's first payroll period immediately following the board's receipt of the notice of election.

At the time of making the election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan, the member also shall make an election under section 5505.162 of the Revised Code. Except as provided in that section, the election under section 5505.162 of the Revised Code is irrevocable from the date it is received by the retirement system.

A member electing to participate in the deferred retirement option plan must agree to terminate active service in the state highway patrol and begin receiving the member's pension not later than the earlier of the member's sixtieth birthday or the date that is eight years after the effective date of the election to participate in the plan. If the member refuses or neglects to terminate active service in accordance with the agreement, the state highway patrol retirement board shall deem the member's service terminated.

While participating in the deferred retirement option plan, a member shall not be considered to have elected retirement under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.52 | Plan members ineligible for service credit or health benefits.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 520 - 131st General Assembly

(A) A member who makes an election under section 5505.51 of the Revised Code shall continue in the active service of the state highway patrol but shall not earn service credit under this chapter for employment after the election's effective date. While the member is in the active service of the state highway patrol, the member shall contribute, and the state shall contribute and report, to the state highway patrol retirement system in accordance with section 5505.15 of the Revised Code.

On and after the effective date of the member's election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan, the member is ineligible to purchase service credit under this chapter.

Neither the member nor the member's spouse and dependents are eligible for any benefit under section 5505.28 of the Revised Code while the member is participating in the deferred retirement option plan.

(B) A member participating in the deferred retirement option plan is eligible to vote in elections for the employee members of the state highway patrol retirement system board, but not eligible to vote in elections for the retirant members of the board.

Section 5505.53 | Determination of plan member's pension amount.

• Effective: June 15, 2006
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 206 - 126th General Assembly

For each member who elects to participate in the deferred retirement option plan, the state highway patrol retirement system shall determine the member's pension amount under section 5505.17 of the Revised Code. In determining the pension amount, the retirement system shall use the member's total service credit and final average salary as of the last day of the employer's payroll period immediately prior to the effective date of the member's election to participate in the plan. The pension amount shall be calculated using the election made by the member under section 5505.162 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.54 | Accrual of plan member's pension and contributions.

• Effective: January 7, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 345 - 129th General Assembly

(A) During the period beginning on the effective date of an election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan and ending on the date participation ceases, a member's monthly pension amount determined under section 5505.53 of the Revised Code shall accrue to the member's benefit. To this amount shall be added any benefit increases the member would be eligible for under section 5505.174 of the Revised Code had the member, on the effective date of the member's election, retired under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) The amounts contributed under division (A) of section 5505.15 of the Revised Code by a member participating in the deferred retirement option plan shall be credited as follows:

(a) Ten per cent of the member's annual salary shall accrue to the member's benefit.

(b) Any amount of the member's annual salary that is in excess of ten per cent shall be credited to the employer's accumulation fund.

(2) The state highway patrol retirement system shall credit to the employer's accumulation fund the amounts contributed by the state under section 5505.15 of the Revised Code on behalf of a member participating in the deferred retirement option plan.

(C) During the period beginning on the election's effective date and ending on the date the member ceases participation in the plan, the amounts described in divisions (A) and (B)(1)(a) of this section shall earn interest at an annual rate established by the state highway patrol retirement board and compounded annually using a method established by rule adopted under section 5505.50 of the Revised Code.

Section 5505.55 | Events terminating member's participation in plan.

• Effective: June 15, 2006
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 206 - 126th General Assembly

A member's participation in the deferred retirement option plan ceases on the occurrence of the earliest of the following:

(A) Termination of the member's active service in the state highway patrol;

(B) The last day of the eight-year period that begins on the effective date of the member's election to participate in the plan;

(C) The member's sixtieth birthday;

(D) Acceptance by the member of a disability benefit awarded by the state highway patrol retirement board under section 5505.18 of the Revised Code;

(E) The member's death.

Section 5505.56 | Notice of termination of active service - distribution of accrued amount.

• Effective: June 15, 2006
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 206 - 126th General Assembly

(A) A member participating in the deferred retirement option plan who terminates active service in the state highway patrol shall notify the state highway patrol retirement system of the date of termination on a form prescribed by the retirement system. The member is not eligible to make another election under section 5505.51 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) With regard to a member who was younger than age fifty-two on the effective date of the election to participate in the plan, if the date of termination of the member's active service occurs on or after the first day of the fourth year after the effective date of the election, the entire amount that has accrued to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan shall be distributed to the member pursuant to the member's selection under section 5505.57 of the Revised Code.

If the date of termination occurs earlier than four years after the effective date of the election to participate, the member shall forfeit the interest credited under division (C) of section 5505.54 of the Revised Code.

(2) With regard to a member who, on the effective date of the election to participate in the plan, was age fifty-two or older, if the date of termination of the member's active service occurs on or after the first day of the third year after the effective date of the election, the entire amount that has accrued to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan shall be distributed to the member pursuant to the member's selection under section 5505.57 of the Revised Code.

If the termination of active service occurs earlier than three years after the effective date of the election to participate, the member shall forfeit the interest credited under division (C) of section 5505.54 of the Revised Code.

(C) Once a member ceases participation in the deferred retirement option plan as described in division (A), (B), or (C) of section 5505.55 of the Revised Code, the member's monthly pension amount determined under section 5505.53 of the Revised Code shall be paid to the member, commencing the day following the member's last day of active service in the state highway patrol.

Section 5505.57 | Method and timing of distribution of accrued amount.

• Effective: June 15, 2006
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 206 - 126th General Assembly

(A) On ceasing participation in the deferred retirement option plan as described in division (A), (B), or (C) of section 5505.55 of the Revised Code, a member shall select as the method of distribution of the amount accrued to the member under the plan one of the distribution options provided under section 401(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," (26 U.S.C. 401(a)) as amended, applicable to governmental plans.

(B) The retirement system shall distribute the amount accrued to a member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan as follows:

(1) For a member who was younger than fifty-two years of age on the date of the election to participate in the plan, distribution shall not commence until the first day of the fourth year after the effective date of the member's election to participate in the plan.

(2) For a member who was fifty-two years of age or older on the date of the election to participate in the plan, distribution shall not commence until the first day of the third year after the effective date of the member's election to participate in the plan.

Section 5505.58 | Plan member qualifying for disability retirement.

• Effective: June 15, 2006
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 206 - 126th General Assembly

(A) A member participating in the deferred retirement option plan who qualifies for disability retirement under division (B)(1) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code shall elect to receive one of the following:

(1) The applicable pension provided for in section 5505.53 of the Revised Code, plus any amounts that have accrued under section 5505.54 of the Revised Code to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan.

(2) The disability pension provided for by division (B)(1) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code. Acceptance of a disability pension requires forfeiture of all amounts accrued under section 5505.54 of the Revised Code to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan, and those amounts shall be treated as if the member had continued in the active service of the state highway patrol and not participated in the plan. The member shall be granted service credit for the period the member was participating in the plan.

(B) A member participating in the deferred retirement option plan who qualifies for disability retirement under division (B)(2) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code shall receive the applicable pension provided for in section 5505.53 of the Revised Code, plus any amounts that have accrued under section 5505.54 of the Revised Code to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan.

Section 5505.59 | Plan member dying while participant - distribution of benefits.

• Effective: May 11, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 362 - 132nd General Assembly

If a member dies while participating in the deferred retirement option plan, all of the following apply:

(A) The amounts accrued to the member's benefit shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, the beneficiary designated by the member on a form provided by the state highway patrol retirement system. A member may designate an individual or a trust as a beneficiary. If there is no surviving spouse or designated beneficiary, the amounts accrued to the member's benefit shall be paid to the member's estate.

Any payment made under this division to a member's estate shall be made in the form of a single lump sum payment. A surviving spouse or designated beneficiary may select as the method of distribution of the amount accrued to the member under the plan one of the distribution options provided under section 401(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 26 U.S.C. 401(a), as amended, applicable to governmental plans.

(B) The member's surviving spouse shall receive a pension as follows:

(1) For the surviving spouse of a member who made an election under section 5505.51 of the Revised Code before the effective date of this amendment, a pension as described in division (A)(3)(b)(iii) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code, utilizing the pension amount calculated under section 5505.53 of the Revised Code;

(2) For the surviving spouse of a member that made an election under section 5505.51 of the Revised Code on or after the effective date of this amendment, a pension as described in division (A)(3)(c) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

(C) If eligible, each surviving child of a member shall receive a pension as described in division (A)(4) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

(D) If the member has no surviving spouse or surviving children, but has a parent or parents dependent on the member for support, the parent or parents shall receive a pension determined under division (A)(6) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.

(E) The lump sum payment described in section 5505.30 of the Revised Code shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, the beneficiary designated by the member on a form provided by the state highway patrol retirement system. A member may designate an individual or a trust as a beneficiary. If there is no surviving spouse or designated beneficiary, the payment shall be made to the member's estate.

Section 5505.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: September 15, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) Whoever violates division (A) of section 5505.045 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars for each day of the violation.

(B) Whoever violates division (B) of section 5505.045 of the Revised Code shall be imprisoned for not more than six months or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

(C) Fines imposed by the Ohio elections commission under this section shall be paid into the Ohio elections commission fund created under section 3513.10 of the Revised Code.