South Carolina § 9-11-225 - Employer and employee contribution rates.

§ 9-11-225. Employer and employee contribution rates.

(A) As provided in Sections 9-11-210 and 9-11-220, the employer and employee contribution rates for the system beginning in Fiscal Year 2017-2018, expressed as a percentage of earnable compensation, are as follows:

	Fiscal Year	Employer Contribution	Employee Contribution
	2017-2018	16.24	9.75
	2018-2019	17.24	9.75
	2019-2020	18.24	9.75
	2020-2021	19.24	9.75
	2021-2022	20.24	9.75
	2022-2023	21.24	9.75
	2023-2024	21.24	9.75
	2024-2025	21.24	9.75
	2025-2026	21.24	9.75
	2026-2027 and after	21.24	9.75

The employer contribution rate set out in this schedule includes contributions for participation in the incidental death benefit plan provided in Sections 9-11-120 and 9-11-125 and for participation in the accidental death benefit program provided in Section 9-11-140. The employer contribution rate for employers that do not participate in these programs must be adjusted accordingly.

(B) After June 30, 2027, the board may increase the percentage rate in employer contributions for the system on the basis of the actuarial valuation. An increase in the employer contribution rate adopted by the board pursuant to this section may not provide for an increase in an amount of more than one-half of one percent of earnable compensation in any one year.

(C)(1) The unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) of the system as determined by the annual actuarial valuation must be amortized over a funding period that does not exceed the following schedule:

	Fiscal Year	Funding Period
	2017-2018	30 years
	2018-2019	29 years
	2019-2020	28 years
	2020-2021	27 years
	2021-2022	26 years
	2022-2023	25 years
	2023-2024	24 years
	2024-2025	23 years
	2025-2026	22 years
	2026-2027	21 years
	2027-2028 and after	20 years

(2) If the scheduled employer and employee contributions provided in subsection (A), or the rates last adopted by the board pursuant to subsection (B), are insufficient to meet the funding period set forth in item (1), for the applicable year, then the board shall increase the employer contribution rate as necessary to meet the funding period set forth in item (1). Such adjustments may be made without regard to the annual limit increase of one-half of one percent of earnable compensation provided pursuant to subsection (B). Participating employers must be notified of any contribution rate increase required by this item by July first of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which the increase takes effect.

(D)(1) After June 30, 2027, if the most recent annual actuarial valuation of the system shows a ratio of the actuarial value of system assets to the actuarial accrued liability of the system (the funded ratio) that is equal to or greater than eighty-five percent, then the board, effective on the following July first, may decrease the then current employer and employee contribution rates in equal amounts upon making a finding that the decrease will not result in a funded ratio of less than eighty-five percent. However, the employee contribution rate may not be less than one-half of the normal cost for the system and any contribution reduction allowed by this item after the employee contribution rate equals one-half of the normal cost must be a reduction in the employer contribution rate.

(2) If contribution rates are decreased pursuant to item (1) of this subsection and the most recent annual actuarial valuation of the system shows a funded ratio of less than eighty-five percent, then effective on the following July first, and annually after that time as necessary, the board shall increase the then current employer and employee contribution rates in equal amounts not exceeding one-half of one percent of earnable compensation in any one year until a subsequent annual actuarial valuation of the system shows a funded ratio that is equal to or greater than eighty-five percent. However, the employee contribution rate may not exceed nine and three quarters of one percent and any contribution increase required by this item after the employee contribution rate equals nine and three quarters of one percent must be an increase in the employer contribution rate.

HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 278, Pt III, SECTION 19.B, eff July 1, 2012; 2017 Act No. 13 (H.3726), Pt. I, SECTION 2, eff July 1, 2017.