Colorado § 24-51-1715 - Benefits.

§ 24-51-1715. Benefits.

(1) The annual superannuation retirement allowance shall be determined in the following manner:

(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this subsection (1) pertaining to certain members appointed or reappointed on or after July 1, 2005, and for persons who become affiliate members on or after July 1, 2005, the following calculations shall apply:

(I) If said member shall retire pursuant to section 24-51-1713, the highest average salary as defined in section 24-51-1702 (17) shall be multiplied by the primary percentage which shall determine the annual retirement allowance expressed as a single life annuity and known as option A.

(II) If, however, said member shall retire pursuant to section 24-51-1714 (2), and if the member has reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, and has attained a minimum age of fifty years, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), shall be reduced by the lesser of four percent for each year that fifty-five exceeds said member's attained age or four percent for each year that thirty exceeds said member's number of years of active service with the district, in either case prorated for a partial year. For members who have not reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), shall be reduced by an actuarially determined percentage as of the effective date of retirement to ensure that the benefit is the actuarial equivalent of the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a).

(III) If said member shall retire pursuant to section 24-51-1714 (2), and if the member has reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, and is younger than age fifty, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), shall be reduced by the greater of four percent for each year that fifty exceeds said member's attained age or four percent for each year that thirty exceeds said member's number of years of active service with the district, in either case prorated for a partial year. For members who have not reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), shall be reduced by an actuarially determined percentage as of the effective date of retirement to ensure that the benefit is the actuarial equivalent of the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a).

(IV) If said member shall retire pursuant to section 24-51-1714 (3), and the member has reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), shall be reduced by the lesser of four percent for each year that twenty-five exceeds said member's number of years of active service with the district or four percent for each year that sixty-five exceeds said member's age, in either case prorated for a partial year. For members who have not reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), shall be reduced by an actuarially determined percentage as of the effective date of retirement to ensure that the benefit is the actuarial equivalent of the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a).

(V) If said member shall retire pursuant to section 24-51-1714 (4), and if the member has reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), shall be reduced by four percent for each year that fifty exceeds said member's age. For members who have not reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), shall be reduced by an actuarially determined percentage as of the effective date of retirement to ensure that the benefit is the actuarial equivalent of the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a).

(b) If a reduction percentage is applicable, prior to calculation of the reduced retirement allowance, the annuity portion shall be determined and subtracted from the retirement allowance in order to determine the pension portion, using the terms of section 24-51-1726, if applicable, and then the reduced retirement allowance shall be determined by application of the appropriate reduction. The annuity portion of said allowance, as determined prior to the reduction, shall be subtracted from the reduced retirement allowance in order to determine the pension portion, if any, that may be applicable. In no event shall any reduced retirement allowance be less than the annuity portion of said allowance as determined prior to the reduction percentage. Said annual retirement allowance shall be payable on a monthly basis and shall continue for so long as said member shall live or so long as may be provided under any option available to and elected by such member pursuant to the provisions of this retirement plan. Payment shall be made at the end of the calendar month for any retirement allowance attributable to said month, and upon the death of said member payment shall be allowed for that portion of the calendar month in which death occurs up to and including the date of death.

(c) In making the calculation of the annual retirement allowance adjustment for a member who initially was appointed or who became an affiliate member on or after July 1, 2005, and who has reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, the reduction percentage provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) shall be changed in each instance from four percent to six percent. For members who have not reached retirement eligibility as of January 1, 2011, the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), shall be reduced by an actuarially determined percentage as of the effective date of retirement to ensure that the benefit is the actuarial equivalent of the annual retirement allowance, calculated pursuant to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1).

Source: L. 2009: Entire part added, (SB 09-282), ch. 288, p. 1367, § 56, effective January 1, 2010. L. 2010: (1)(a) and (1)(c) amended, (SB 10-001), ch. 2, p. 26, § 29, effective January 1, 2011.