Alaska § 39.35.958 - Termination of participation in the plan.

§ 39.35.958. Termination of participation in the plan.

 (a) A political subdivision or public organization may request that its participation in the plan be terminated. The request may be made only after adoption of a resolution by the legislative body of the political subdivision and approval of the resolution by the person required by law to approve the resolution, or, in the case of a public organization, after adoption of a resolution by the governing body of that public organization. A certified copy of the resolution shall be filed with the administrator.

 (b) If contributions are not transmitted to the plan within the prescribed time limit, the administrator may grant an extension and shall assess interest on the outstanding contributions at the rate established under AS 39.35.610 . If the political subdivision or public organization is in default at the end of the extension, participation in the plan is terminated, and the political subdivision or public organization shall be sent notice of termination.

 (c) When an employer's participation in the plan is terminated, or when an employer terminates coverage of a department, group, or other classification of employees under AS 39.35.957 (c), the administrator shall assess the employer a termination cost that the administrator determines is actuarially required to fully fund the costs to the plan for employees whose coverage is terminated, including the cost of providing the employer's share of retiree health benefits under AS 39.35.880 , occupational disability and occupational death benefits under AS 39.35.890 and 39.35.892, and pension benefits elected under AS 39.35.890 (h)(2).

 (d) An employee whose coverage under the plan is terminated as a result of termination of an employer's participation under this section or amendment of the employer's agreement under AS 39.35.957 (c) shall be considered fully vested in employer contributions under AS 39.35.790 (b) and in the individual account established for the employee under AS 39.30.730 . If the employee is later employed with a participating employer, the employee's membership service earned under the plan during employment with a terminated employer shall be credited for purposes of determining vesting in employer contributions under AS 39.35.790 (b) and eligibility for medical benefits under this chapter and AS 39.30.300 — 39.30.495.

 (e) An employer terminating participation in the plan shall pay termination costs determined by the administrator, or enter into a payment plan acceptable to the administrator, within 60 days after the employer receives notice of its termination costs from the administrator. Termination costs not paid within the prescribed time limit or in accordance with the approved payment plan shall be collected by the administrator in accordance with AS 39.35.610 (b). Termination of participation by an employer in the plan does not bar future participation by the employer if the employer has paid in full its prior termination costs.

 (f) A political subdivision or public organization considering or requesting termination from the plan shall pay the cost associated with obtaining a termination cost study associated with the employer's termination.