Section 415-02-750. How does the department comply with Internal Revenue Code distribution rules?

(1) All benefits paid from the retirement plan shall be distributed in accordance with a reasonable and good faith interpretation of the requirements of section 401 (a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable to a governmental plan within the meaning of section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. In order to meet these requirements, the retirement plan shall be administered in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) Distribution of a member's benefit must begin by the later of April 1st following the calendar year in which a member attains age seventy and one-half or April 1st of the year following the calendar year in which the member retires;

(b) Unless distributed in a lump sum, the member's entire interest must be distributed over the member's life or the lives of the member and a designated beneficiary, or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the member or of the member and designated beneficiary;

(c) The life expectancy of a member or the member's spouse or beneficiary may not be recalculated after the benefits commence;

(d) If a member dies before the required distribution of the member's benefits has begun, the member's entire interest must be either:

(i) Distributed (in accordance with federal regulations) over the life or life expectancy of the designated beneficiary, with the distributions beginning no later than December 31st of the calendar year following the calendar year of the member's death; or

(ii) Distributed within five years of the member's death.

(e) The amount of an annuity paid to a member's beneficiary may not exceed the maximum determined under the incidental death benefit requirement of section 401 (a)(9)(G) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the minimum distribution incidental benefit rule under Treasury Regulation section 1.401 (a)(9)-6, Q&A 2; and

(f) If a member dies after the distribution of the member's benefits has begun, the remaining portion of the member's interest will be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used for the member as of the date of the member's death.

(2) The retirement system pursuant to a valid dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500 may establish separate benefits for a member and nonmember.

(3) The death and disability benefits provided by the plan are limited by the incidental benefit rule set forth in section 401 (a)(9)(G) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulation section 1.401-1 (b)(1)(i) or any successor regulation thereto. As a result, the total death or disability benefits payable may not exceed twenty-five percent of the cost for all of the members' benefits received from the plan.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.50.050(5). WSR 10-24-099, § 415-02-750, filed 12/1/10, effective 1/1/11.]

RCW 41.50.050(5). WSR 10-24-099, § 415-02-750, filed 12/1/10, effective 1/1/11.