60S-4.015. Deductions from Monthly Benefits

Subject to approval by the Division, a payee (retiree or beneficiary) receiving retirement benefits under the Florida Retirement System, State and County Officers’ and Employees’ Retirement System and the Teachers’ Retirement System may have certain payments deducted from his or her monthly benefit as follows:

(1) Federal income tax shall be withheld in accordance with federal law unless the payee elects otherwise on Form W-4P.

(2) Premiums for life and health-related insurance policies from approved companies may be deducted, provided:

(a) New deductions, or a restart of previously closed deductions, are authorized in writing by the payee and by the insurance company;

(b) A minimum of 50 payees have authorized deductions and are covered by each such company participating in the payroll deduction program;

(c) Payroll deduction authorization forms, which shall be approved by the Division, are provided by the companies to payees and are forwarded to the Division by the companies;

(d) Address files for covered payees are maintained by the companies;

(e) Payees are notified by the companies at least 45 calendar days prior to the effective date of all actions affecting coverage or premiums. Such actions include, but are not limited to, date and amount of initial deduction, changes in deduction amount, and changes in coverage;

(f) The Division is notified, by approved electronic data processing media, of premium rate changes affecting more than 50 payees. Such notification must be received by the Division at least 45 calendar days prior to the effective date of such rate change; and

(g) The Division is notified of all additions, deletions, and changes, except as provided in paragraph (f), by the fifth day of the month in which such additions, deletions, and changes are to be effective.

(3) Life insurance premiums for the State Group Life Insurance Plan and health insurance premiums for the State Group Health Insurance Plan may be deducted, provided deductions are authorized by the payee and the Division of State Group Insurance or its designated agent.

(4) Repayment of overpayments from the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund or the State Employees’ Group Health Self-Insurance Trust Fund may be deducted upon notification to the payee by the Division of Retirement or the Division of State Group Insurance.

(5) Payments for alimony, child support or division of marital assets may be deducted provided:

(a) Payments for alimony and child support pursuant to Income Deduction Orders under Section 61.1301, F.S., shall be paid through the appropriate court-disbursing depository;

(b) Payments to an alternate payee resulting from a division of marital assets pursuant to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) under Section 222.21, F.S., shall be paid to the alternate payee, at the last known address. There shall be no liability to the Division of Retirement if the alternate payee fails to provide the correct mailing address. The alternate payee shall provide to the Division of Retirement all information requested, in the format required by the Division, in order to establish the alternate payee as a payee under the Florida Retirement System.

(6) Payments to the Internal Revenue Service for federal income tax levies may be deducted upon notification to the Division by the Internal Revenue Service.

Rulemaking Authority 121.031 FS. Law Implemented 61.1301, 121.031, 222.21 FS. History–New 1-1-72, Amended 10-20-72, Repromulgated 12-31-74, Formerly 22B-4.15, Amended 5-15-91, Formerly 22B-4.015, Amended 8-4-94, 8-13-03, 4-5-12, 3-25-13.