§ 13-6. Membership.

(a)

Conditions of eligibility.

(1)

All police officers already covered under the city's retirement plan on the amended plan effective date (July 3, 1979) shall automatically continue participation under the amended plan without any further action being required.

(2)

All persons employed by the city as police officers following the amended plan effective date (July 3, 1979) may become members of the plan upon attaining the age of eighteen (18).

(3)

Effective as of February 1, 1985, participation in the plan is mandatory. The chief of police shall have an option to participate, or not in the plan.

(4)

Police officers who have not elected to participate in the plan and who were hired between January 1, 1984 through February 1, 1985, shall be afforded a one-time opportunity to apply for membership in the amended plan within thirty (30) days of the adoption of this section. The application for membership shall be in accordance with subsection (b) below except that any police officers who wish to apply for membership in the plan must apply within thirty (30) days from the adoption of this section. The application for this amended plan is prospective only and no credit shall be given for past service under this plan.

(b)

Application for membership. Each employee eligible for membership and who desires to become a member shall complete an application within thirty (30) days after the applicant's employment date, the form of which shall cover the following points, as well as such other points or items as may be prescribed by the board:

(1)

Acceptance of the terms and conditions of the plan; and

(2)

Designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries; and

(3)

Authorization of a payroll deduction payable to the plan as specified in subsection 13-12(a)(1) of this Code.

For purposes of member contributions, the application for membership shall be considered to have been in effect from date of employment

(c)

Withdrawal from plan. No member shall have the right to withdraw from the plan subsequent to May 1, 1987. The election to participate in the plan shall be non-revocable.

(d)

Change in designation of beneficiary.

(1)

A member may at any time prior to retirement change his designated joint annuitant or beneficiary by a written notice to the board upon forms provided by the board. Upon such change, the rights of all previously designated beneficiaries to receive any benefit under the plan shall cease.

(2)

A retired member, including a member who has elected to participate in the DROP, may change the designation of a joint annuitant or beneficiary after the commencement of retirement income or benefits up to two (2) times without the approval of the board upon forms provided by the board. Any additional changes must be approved by the board. The retired member need not provide proof of the good health or the joint annuitant or beneficiary being removed, and the joint annuitant or beneficiary being removed need not be living. The consent of the retiree's joint annuitant or beneficiary to any change in such designation shall not be required. Upon such change, the rights of all previously designated joint annuitants or beneficiaries to receive any benefit under the plan shall cease. The retired member must pay the full cost of determining the equivalent actuarial value of the benefit payable for any changes made pursuant to this paragraph.

(Ord. No. 94-153, § 1, 12-6-94; Ord. No. 98-100, § 1, 5-19-98; Ord. No. 2001-131, § 3, 12-3-01; Ord. No. 2008-113, § 3, 9-16-08; Ord. No. 2010-104, § 2, 4-20-10; Ord. No. 2017-104, § 2, 5-17-17)