Chapter 3305 | Alternative Retirement Plans

Section 3305.01 | Alternative retirement program definitions.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Public institution of higher education" means a state university as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, the northeast Ohio medical university, or a university branch, technical college, state community college, community college, or municipal university established or operating under Chapter 3345., 3349., 3354., 3355., 3357., or 3358. of the Revised Code.

(B) "State retirement system" means the public employees retirement system created under Chapter 145. of the Revised Code, the state teachers retirement system created under Chapter 3307. of the Revised Code, or the school employees retirement system created under Chapter 3309. of the Revised Code.

(C) "Eligible employee" means any person employed as a full-time employee of a public institution of higher education.

In all cases of doubt, the board of trustees of the public institution of higher education shall determine whether any person is an eligible employee for purposes of this chapter, and the board's decision shall be final.

(D) "Electing employee" means any eligible employee who elects, pursuant to section 3305.05 or 3305.051 of the Revised Code, to participate in an alternative retirement plan provided pursuant to this chapter or an eligible employee who is required to participate in an alternative retirement plan pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 3305.05 or division (F) of section 3305.051 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Compensation," for purposes of an electing employee, has the same meaning as the applicable one of the following:

(1) If the electing employee would be subject to Chapter 145. of the Revised Code had the employee not made an election pursuant to section 3305.05 or 3305.051 of the Revised Code, "earnable salary" as defined in division (R) of section 145.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) If the electing employee would be subject to Chapter 3307. of the Revised Code had the employee not made an election pursuant to section 3305.05 or 3305.051 of the Revised Code, "compensation" as defined in division (L) of section 3307.01 of the Revised Code;

(3) If the electing employee would be subject to Chapter 3309. of the Revised Code had the employee not made an election pursuant to section 3305.05 or 3305.051 of the Revised Code, "compensation" as defined in division (V) of section 3309.01 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Vendor" means an entity designated under section 3305.03 of the Revised Code as eligible to be a provider of investment options for an alternative retirement plan.

(G) "Provider" means, with respect to each public institution of higher education, a vendor that has entered into an agreement with that public institution of higher education in accordance with section 3305.04 of the Revised Code.

Section 3305.02 | Alternative retirement program.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

An alternative retirement program is hereby established in accordance with this chapter for the purpose of providing to eligible employees the opportunity of participating in an alternative retirement plan as an alternative to participating in a state retirement system. The employer is the sponsor of each alternative retirement plan offered under this chapter.

Each alternative retirement plan offered under this program shall be a defined contribution plan qualified under section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code that provides retirement and, to the extent applicable, death benefits through investment options. The options shall be offered to electing employees pursuant to trust or custodial accounts or pursuant to group or individual annuity contracts and certificates issued under group contracts. The options may include life insurance, annuities, variable annuities, regulated investment trusts, pooled investment funds, or other forms of investment, at the option of each electing employee.

Notwithstanding this chapter, any retirement plan established by a public institution of higher education prior to March 31, 1997, as an alternative to participating in any state retirement system may continue in effect and be modified without regard to this chapter for all employees at the public institution eligible to participate in the plan.

Section 3305.03 | Designation of entities eligible to provide investment options.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The Ohio board of regents shall designate the entities that are eligible to provide investment options under alternative retirement plans maintained by public institutions of higher education. The board shall accept and review applications from entities seeking designation as a vendor. The board shall not designate an entity as a vendor unless the entity meets the requirements described in division (B) of this section.

(B) To be eligible for designation as a vendor, an entity must meet both of the following requirements:

(1) The entity must be authorized to conduct business in this state with regard to the investment options to be offered under an alternative retirement plan maintained by a public institution of higher education.

(2) The entity must meet one of the following requirements:

(a) Have provided investment options for not less than ten years under alternative retirement plans maintained by public institutions of higher education in this state;

(b) Offer the same or similar investment options under alternative retirement plans, optional retirement plans, or similar types of plans with respect to which all of the following apply:

(i) The plans are defined contribution plans that are qualified plans under Internal Revenue Code 401(a) or 403(b).

(ii) The plans are maintained by institutions of higher education in at least ten other states.

(iii) The plans are established as primary retirement plans that are alternatives to or a component of the applicable state retirement system.

(C) In determining whether to designate an entity as a vendor, the board of regents shall identify, consider, and evaluate all of the following:

(1) The experience of the entity in providing in this state or other states investment options under alternative retirement plans, optional retirement plans, or similar types of plans that meet the requirements of division (B)(2)(a) or (b) of this section, as applicable;

(2) The potential effectiveness of the entity in recruiting eligible employees to select that entity for purposes of participating in an alternative retirement plan and in retaining those employees' accounts;

(3) Whether the entity intends to offer a broad range of investment options to the electing employees;

(4) The suitability of the investment options to the needs and interests of the electing employees and their beneficiaries;

(5) The capability of the entity to offer sufficient information to the electing employees and their beneficiaries to make informed decisions with regard to investment options offered by the entity;

(6) The capability of the entity to perform in a manner that is in the best interests of the electing employees and their beneficiaries;

(7) The fees and expenses associated with the entity's investment options and the manner in which the entity intends to disclose those fees and expenses;

(8) The rights and benefits to be provided under the investment options;

(9) The capability of the entity to provide the rights and benefits under the investment options;

(10) Comments submitted by a public institution of higher education under section 3305.031 of the Revised Code;

(11) Any other matters the board of regents considers relevant.

(D) The board of regents shall conduct periodic reviews of each entity designated as a vendor and the investment options being offered to ensure that the requirements and purposes of this chapter are being met. The reviews of a vendor shall occur not less frequently than once every three years.

If it finds that the vendor is not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter or the vendor is not satisfactorily meeting the purposes of this chapter, the board shall rescind the vendor's designation.

(E) Notwithstanding sections 125.01 to 125.11 of the Revised Code, designation of a vendor or the execution of any agreement under this chapter is not subject to competitive bidding under those sections.

Last updated May 26, 2021 at 1:41 PM

Section 3305.031 | Additional procedures when designating or reviewing a vendor.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) As part of the process established under section 3305.03 of the Revised Code for designating an entity as a vendor and conducting periodic reviews of a vendor, the Ohio board of regents shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide written notice to each public institution of higher education that an entity has applied to be designated as a vendor under section 3305.03 of the Revised Code;

(2) Provide written notice to each public institution of higher education that a vendor is scheduled for a review;

(3) Establish a comment period of not less than thirty days during which a public institution of higher education is authorized to comment about an entity's application for designation or a vendor's review and to request a meeting with the board of regents concerning the application or review;

(4) Not later than fourteen days after the board makes a decision with respect to an application or review, including any rescission of a vendor's designation, provide written notice to each public institution of higher education of the board's decision.

(B) If a meeting is requested by a public institution of higher education under division (A)(3) of this section, the board of regents shall do all of the following:

(1) Notify each public institution of higher education of the meeting and its time and place;

(2) Hold the meeting not less than ten but not more than thirty days after the end of the comment period;

(3) Continue to accept comments concerning the application or review, as applicable, until five business days after the meeting is held.

(C) The board of regents shall adopt rules under section 3305.032 of the Revised Code specifying the method to be used by public institutions of higher education in submitting comments to the board concerning an application or review.

Section 3305.032 | Adoption of rules.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The Ohio board of regents shall adopt rules as the board considers necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The rules may provide for fees to be charged providers by the board to cover administrative and marketing expenses of the board.

Section 3305.04 | Adoption of alternative retirement plan; implementation.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The board of trustees of each public institution of higher education shall adopt an alternative retirement plan in accordance with this chapter.

In accordance with this chapter, each board may perform such functions and provide as necessary for the administration of its alternative retirement plan.

(B)(1) In implementing the alternative retirement plan established by the board, the public institution of higher education shall develop agreements to be entered into with entities designated under section 3305.03 of the Revised Code as vendors. Each agreement shall include such terms and conditions as are determined by the public institution of higher education in its sole discretion.

(2) Except as provided in division (B)(3) of this section, the public institution of higher education shall enter into agreements with a minimum of four vendors or, if fewer than four vendors are available, with the number of vendors available.

(3) Division (B)(2) of this section does not require a public institution of higher education to enter into an agreement with a vendor if either of the following is the case:

(a) The vendor is not willing to provide investment options under the alternative retirement plan at that public institution.

(b) The vendor is not willing to agree to the terms and conditions of the agreement.

(4) After an agreement has been entered into, both of the following apply with respect to termination of the agreement with the provider:

(a) The agreement shall be terminated if the provider ceases to be an entity designated as a vendor.

(b) The agreement may be terminated if the provider fails to comply with the terms and conditions of such agreement.

Section 3305.05 | Employees who may elect to participate in alternative plan.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and section 3305.051 of the Revised Code, "academic or administrative employee" means any full-time employee not receiving any benefit, allowance, or other payment granted on the employee's account from a state retirement system who, before August 1, 2005, met one of the following requirements:

(1) The employee was a member of the faculty of a public institution of higher education.

(2) The employee was a member of the administrative staff of a public institution of higher education serving in a position in the unclassified civil service pursuant to section 124.11 of the Revised Code.

(3) If section 124.11 of the Revised Code did not apply to the public institution of higher education, the employee was a member of the administrative staff of a public institution of higher education serving in a position comparable to a position in the unclassified civil service.

In all cases of doubt, the board of trustees of the public institution of higher education shall determine whether any person is an academic or administrative employee for purposes of this chapter, and the board's decision shall be final.

(B)(1) Each person who, on August 1, 2005, is an eligible employee of a public institution of higher education and has accrued less than five years of service credit in a state retirement system may, not later than one hundred twenty days after August 1, 2005, make an election to participate in an alternative retirement plan available at the employing public institution, unless, prior to August 1, 2005, the person had an opportunity pursuant to former section 3305.05 of the Revised Code to make such an election as an academic or administrative employee of that public institution of higher education.

(2) An eligible employee whose employment with a public institution of higher education commences on or after August 1, 2005, may, not later than one hundred twenty days after the starting date of the employment, make an election to participate in an alternative retirement plan available at the employing public institution.

(3) An eligible employee who, on or after August 1, 2005, terminates employment at one public institution of higher education and subsequently is employed by another public institution of higher education in a position for which an alternative retirement plan is available may, not later than one hundred twenty days after the starting date of the employment, elect to participate in an alternative retirement plan available at that public institution.

(C)(1) An eligible employee who makes an election under division (B) of this section shall submit the election in writing to the designated officer of the employee's employing public institution of higher education. Once submitted, the election is irrevocable while the eligible employee continues to be employed by the public institution of higher education. Not later than ten days after the election becomes irrevocable, the officer shall file a certified copy of the election with the state retirement system to which, apart from the election, the employee's employment would be subject.

Each public institution of higher education that employs a person eligible to make an election under division (B) of this section shall notify, in writing, the state retirement system that applies to that employment in the manner specified by that state retirement system. The notice shall include the person's name and address. The notice shall be given not later than ten days after the first date the person is on the institution's payroll.

(2) Elections made under division (B) of this section take effect as follows:

(a) An election under division (B)(1) of this section is effective as of the date on which the employee's election to participate in the alternative retirement plan becomes irrevocable.

(b) An election under division (B)(2) or (3) of this section is effective as of the electing employee's starting date of employment.

(3) An eligible employee's election under division (B) of this section applies to the employee's employment in all positions at that public institution, unless the employee terminates employment at the public institution and does not return to employment in any position at that public institution for at least three hundred sixty-five days after the date of termination.

(4) An eligible employee who makes an election under division (B) of this section is forever barred from claiming or purchasing service credit under any state retirement system for the period of employment while the election is in effect.

(D)(1) An eligible employee who fails to make an election under division (B) of this section within the one-hundred-twenty day election period shall be deemed to have elected to participate in the state retirement system that applies to the employee's employment.

(2) An eligible employee who fails to make an election under division (B) of this section shall not be permitted to make an election for employment in any other position at the public institution of higher education while employed at that public institution, unless the employee terminates employment at the public institution and does not return to employment in any position at the public institution for at least three hundred sixty-five days after the date of termination.

Section 3305.051 | Elections made prior to effective date.

• Effective: August 1, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 133 - 125th General Assembly

(A) This section applies only to elections made prior to the effective date of this amendment.

(B) A person whose employment as an academic or administrative employee of a public institution of higher education commenced after the initial date on which the board of trustees of the public institution adopted an alternative retirement plan may, not later than one hundred twenty days after the starting date of employment, make an election to participate in an alternative retirement plan available at the public institution. If no election to participate in an alternative retirement plan is made by the end of one hundred twenty days after the person's starting date of employment, the person shall be deemed to have elected participation in the state retirement system that applies to the person's employment.

An election made under this division or division (C) of this section shall be irrevocable while the electing employee is employed by that public institution.

A person who makes an election to participate in an alternative retirement plan shall be forever barred from claiming or purchasing service credit under any state retirement system for the period of that person's employment during which the election is in effect. If a person terminates employment at one public institution of higher education and subsequently is employed by another public institution of higher education in a position for which an alternative retirement plan is available under this chapter, the person may make another election under this division. Each public institution of higher education employing a person eligible to make an election under this division shall notify, within ten days of the person's employment, the state retirement system that applies to that person's employment in the manner specified by that state retirement system, which notice shall include the new employee's name and address.

(C)(1) Not later than one hundred twenty days after the date on which the board of trustees of a public institution of higher education adopts an alternative retirement plan for that public institution, each eligible academic or administrative employee of the public institution may make an election to participate in an alternative retirement plan available at the public institution. If a person to whom this division applies fails to make an election, the person shall be deemed to have elected continued participation in the state retirement system in which the person is a member.

(2)(a) A member of the public employees retirement system or school employees retirement system who is an academic or administrative employee of the public institution is eligible to make an election if, on April 1, 1998, the member had less than five years of service credit in the retirement system in which the member is making contributions and the public institution of higher education at which the member is employed adopted an alternative retirement plan after December 8, 1998, but before April 1, 1999.

(b) A member of the state teachers retirement system who is an academic or administrative employee of a public institution that establishes an alternative retirement plan is eligible to make an election if the member has less than five years of service credit in the state teachers retirement system on the thirtieth day of June immediately preceding the date the plan is adopted.

(D) An election under division (B) or (C) of this section shall be in writing submitted to the designated officer of the employee's employing public institution of higher education. Not later than ten days after the election becomes irrevocable, the officer shall file a certified copy of the election with the state retirement system to which, apart from this election, the employee's employment would be subject.

(E)(1) Each election made under division (B) of this section shall be effective as of the electing employee's starting date of employment.

(2) In the case of a member of the public employees retirement system or school employees retirement system, an election made under division (C) of this section shall be effective as of April 1, 1998. In the case of a member of the state teachers retirement system, an election shall be effective as of the date described in division (C)(2)(b) of this section.

(F) If an individual makes an election under division (B) or (C) of this section, the election shall apply to the individual's employment in all positions at a public institution of higher education, unless the individual terminates employment at the public institution and does not return to employment in any position at that public institution prior to one year after the date of termination.

If an individual is eligible to make an election under division (B) or (C) of this section for employment at a public institution and does not make the election, the individual shall not be permitted to make an election for employment in any other position at the public institution while employed at that public institution, unless the individual terminates employment at the public institution and does not return to employment in any position at the public institution prior to one year after the date of termination.

Section 3305.052 | Returning contributions to selected provider where employee elects alternative program.

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

(A) The state retirement system that covers the position held by an employee of a public institution of higher education who makes an election under division (B)(2) or (3) of section 3305.05 or division (B) of section 3305.051 of the Revised Code to participate in the public institution's alternative retirement plan shall, not later than thirty days after the date on which the certified copy of the employee's election is filed with the state retirement system under that section, do one of the following:

(1) If the employee was participating in a defined benefit plan as provided in sections 145.201 to 145.79, sections 3307.50 to 3307.79, or sections 3309.18 to 3309.76 of the Revised Code, pay to the provider of the investment option selected by the employee any employee and employer contributions made to the retirement system by or on behalf of that employee for the period beginning on the employee's starting day of employment and ending on the day before the day on which contributions commence under an alternative retirement plan, less the amount due the retirement system pursuant to division (D) of section 3305.06 of the Revised Code for that period.

(2) If the employee was participating in a defined contribution plan as provided in section 145.81, 3307.81, or 3309.81 of the Revised Code, pay to the provider of the investment option selected by the employee the amount on deposit in the employee's individual account for the period beginning on the employee's starting day of employment and ending on the day before the day on which contributions commence under an alternative retirement plan.

(B) The state retirement system that covers the position held by an employee of a public institution of higher education who makes an election under division (B)(1) of section 3305.05 or division (C) of section 3305.051 of the Revised Code to participate in the public institution's alternative retirement plan shall, not later than thirty days after the date on which a certified copy of the employee's election is filed with the state retirement system under that section, do one of the following:

(1) If the employee was participating in a defined benefit plan as provided in sections 145.201 to 145.79, sections 3307.50 to 3307.79, or sections 3309.18 to 3309.70 of the Revised Code, pay to the provider of the investment option selected by the employee any employee and employer contributions made to the retirement system by or on behalf of that employee for any period commencing after the date on which the election becomes irrevocable under division (C)(1) of section 3305.05 of the Revised Code or the applicable date described in division (C)(2)(a) or (b) of section 3305.051 of the Revised Code and ending on the day before the day on which contributions commence under an alternative retirement plan, less the amount due the retirement system pursuant to division (D) of section 3305.06 of the Revised Code for that period.

(2) If the employee was participating in a defined contribution plan as provided in section 145.81, 3307.81, or 3309.81 of the Revised Code, pay to the provider of the investment option selected by the employee the amount on deposit in the employee's individual account for the period commencing after the date on which the election becomes irrevocable under division (C)(1) of section 3305.05 of the Revised Code and ending on the day before the day on which contributions commence under an alternative retirement plan.

Section 3305.053 | Selection and change of providers under alternative plan.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The board of trustees of a public institution of higher education shall permit an employee who makes an election under section 3305.05 or 3305.051 of the Revised Code to do all of the following:

(A) Select, from among the providers that have entered into an agreement with the public institution of higher education under section 3305.04 of the Revised Code, the provider of an investment option for that employee;

(B) Subject to any terms and conditions established by the public institution of higher education, change the provider selected under division (A) of this section any time during the plan year.

(C) If under division (B) of this section an employee changes providers, the employee may direct the provider to transfer to the new provider the employee's account balance either in whole or in part, as directed by the employee, except that the provider is not required to immediately transfer any part of the account invested at the employee's election in a fixed annuity account if the contract with the employee under which the investment was made permits the provider to make such a transfer over a period of time not exceeding ten years and the contract was filed with and approved by the department of insurance pursuant to section 3911.011 of the Revised Code.

Section 3305.06 | Employee and employer contributions.

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

(A) Each electing employee shall contribute an amount, which shall be a certain percentage of the employee's compensation, to the provider of the investment option the employee has selected. This percentage shall be the percentage the electing employee would have otherwise been required to contribute to the state retirement system that applies to the employee's position, except that the percentage shall not be less than three per cent. Employee contributions under this division may be treated as employer contributions in accordance with Internal Revenue Code 414(h).

(B) Each public institution of higher education employing an electing employee shall contribute a percentage of the employee's compensation to the provider of the investment option the employee has selected. This percentage shall be equal to the percentage that the public institution of higher education would otherwise contribute on behalf of that employee to the state retirement system that would otherwise cover that employee's position, less the percentage contributed by the public institution of higher education under division (D) of this section.

(C)(1) In no event shall the amount contributed by the electing employee pursuant to division (A) of this section and on the electing employee's behalf pursuant to division (B) of this section be less than the amount necessary to qualify the plan as a state retirement system pursuant to Internal Revenue Code 3121(b)(7) and the regulations adopted thereunder.

(2) The full amount of the electing employee's contribution under division (A) of this section and the full amount of the employer's contribution made on behalf of that employee under division (B) of this section shall be paid to the appropriate provider for application to the electing employee's investment option.

(D) Each public institution of higher education employing an electing employee shall contribute on behalf of that employee to the state retirement system that otherwise applies to the electing employee's position a percentage of the electing employee's compensation to mitigate any negative financial impact of the alternative retirement program on the state retirement system. The percentage shall be determined by the actuarial study conducted under section 145.222, 3307.514, or 3309.212 of the Revised Code, as applicable.

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 3305.07 | Payment of benefits to electing employee.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 273 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Neither the state nor a public institution of higher education shall be a party to any contract purchased in whole or in part with contributions to an alternative retirement plan made under section 3305.06 of the Revised Code. No retirement, death, or other benefits shall be payable by the state or by any public institution of higher education under any alternative retirement plan elected pursuant to this chapter.

(B) Except as provided under division (C) of this section and sections 3305.08, 3305.09, 3305.11, and 3305.12 of the Revised Code, benefits shall be paid to an electing employee or the employee's beneficiaries in accordance with the alternative retirement plan adopted by the public institution of higher education at which the employee is employed.

(C) A benefit or payment shall not be paid to an electing employee or the employee's beneficiaries under an investment option before one of the following events occur:

(1) The electing employee dies.

(2) The electing employee terminates employment with the public institution of higher education at which the employee is employed.

(3) If provided under the alternative retirement plan or investment option, either of the following:

(a) The electing employee becomes disabled.

(b) The electing employee is required to begin receiving distributions under division (a)(9) of section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).

(D) The provider of an investment option shall transfer the employee's account balance to another provider as provided under section 3305.053 of the Revised Code if the employee changes providers under that section.

Last updated October 6, 2022 at 5:14 PM

Section 3305.08 | Tax exemption.

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

Any payment, benefit, or other right accruing to any electing employee under a contract entered into for purposes of an alternative retirement plan and all moneys, investments, and income of those contracts are exempt from any state tax, except the tax imposed by section 5747.02 of the Revised Code, 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, 3305.09, and 3305.12 of the Revised Code, shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or the insolvency law, or other process of law, and shall be unassignable except as specifically provided in this section and sections 3105.171, 3105.65, 3119.80, 3119.81, 3121.02, 3121.03, 3115.501, and 3123.06 of the Revised Code or in any contract the electing employee has entered into for purposes of an alternative retirement plan.

Section 3305.09 | Withholding order to pay restitution for sex offense or theft in office.

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

(A) Any payment that is to be made under a contract entered into for purposes of funding an employee's alternative retirement plan benefit 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. The provider of the contract shall comply with that withholding order in making the payment.

(B) If the provider receives notice pursuant to section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or division (D) of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code that the electing employee is charged with a violation of section 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, or 2921.41 of the Revised Code, no payment shall be made under the contract 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 date 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 date on which the court decides the motion;

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

Section 3305.10 | Consent of spouse of electing employee required prior to payment.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 273 - 134th General Assembly

(A)(1) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, if an electing employee is married at the time one or more payments are to commence under the retirement plan established under this chapter, the provider that will make the payment shall obtain the consent of the employee's spouse to the form of payment selected by the employee before making any payment.

(2) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, if an electing employee is married at the time the employee dies, the provider that will make a payment of any amounts that are payable to the employee shall obtain the consent of the employee's spouse to the payment of the amounts before making the payment.

(B) Each provider shall establish requirements for consent under division (A) of this section that are the same as the requirements specified in division (a)(2) of section 417 of the "Internal Revenue Code," 26 U.S.C.A. 417(a)(2), as amended.

(C)(1) Consent may be waived if the spouse cannot be located or for any other reason specified in the regulations adopted under division (a)(2) of section 417 of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 417(a)(2).

(2) A provider is not required to obtain the consent of an electing employee's spouse before making any payment that the provider is required to make in accordance with division (a)(9) of section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).

(D) Consent or waiver under this section is effective only with regard to the spouse who is the subject of the consent or waiver.

Last updated July 15, 2022 at 11:16 AM

Section 3305.11 | 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 provider of an alternative retirement plan 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., 3307., 3309., or 5505. of the Revised Code.

(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the provider of an alternative retirement plan 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 provider 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 provider receives notice of the final disposition of the charge.

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

Section 3305.12 | Benefits subject to termination.

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

Notwithstanding any other provision of an alternative retirement plan provided under this chapter, a disability benefit granted under the alternative retirement plan is subject to an order issued under section 2929.193 of the Revised Code. The entity providing the alternative retirement plan shall comply with the order.

On receipt of notice under section 2901.43 of the Revised Code that an alternative retirement plan participant 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 entity shall determine whether the participant has been granted a disability benefit. If so, the entity shall send written notice to the prosecutor assigned to the case that the participant has been granted a disability benefit under an alternative retirement plan and may be subject to section 2929.193 of the Revised Code.

Section 3305.20 | Alternate payee entitled to certain information.

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

As used in this section, "personal history record" means information maintained by the entity providing an alternative retirement plan on an individual who participates in the plan that includes the address, telephone number, social security number, record of contributions, correspondence with the plan, or other information the entity providing the plan determines to be confidential.

The entity shall comply with orders issued under section 3105.87 of the Revised Code requiring it to provide information from a participant's personal history record.

The entity shall furnish information as follows:

(A) On the written request of an alternate payee, as defined in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code, the entity providing the alternative retirement plan 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.

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

(C) The notice required by section 3305.12 of the Revised Code shall be provided to the prosecutor assigned to the case.

Section 3305.21 | Orders for division of marital or separate 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," and "participant" 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, an entity providing a participant's alternative retirement plan shall determine whether the order meets the requirements of sections 3105.80 to 3105.90 of the Revised Code. The entity shall retain in the participant's record an order the entity determines meets the requirements. Not later than ten days after receipt, the entity shall return to the court that issued the order any order the entity determines does not meet the requirements.

(C) The entity shall comply with an order retained under division (B) of this section at 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 an entity providing an alternative retirement plan is required to transfer a participant's account balance to an entity providing an alternative retirement plan that is not named in the order, the transferring entity 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 entity to which the transfer was made.

(2) Send a copy of the order to the entity to which the transfer was made.

(E) An entity that receives a participant's account balance and a copy of an order as provided in division (D) of this section, shall administer the order as if it were the entity 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 entity providing the alternative retirement plan 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;

(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 entity providing a participant's alternative retirement plan. The entity 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) An entity providing an alternative retirement plan is not liable in civil damages for loss resulting from any action or failure to act in compliance with this section.

Section 3305.22 | Repayment or recovery of amounts paid to alternate payee.

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

If a person who is a disability benefit recipient or an alternate payee, as defined in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code, is paid any amount to which the person is not entitled by an entity providing an alternative retirement plan, the person shall repay the entity. If the person fails to repay, the entity shall withhold the amount from any benefit or payment due the person or may collect the amount in any other manner provided by law.