BEFORE THE Montana public employees' retirement board

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 2.43.1302, 2.43.2114, 2.43.2607, 2.43.2608, and 2.43.2902 pertaining to definitions, required employer reports, payment of estimated benefits, return to covered employment by PERS, SRS, or FURS retiree report, and death payments, survivor benefits and optional retirement benefits

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NOTICE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1. On March 28, 2013 the Montana Public Employees' Retirement Board published MAR Notice No. 2-43-477 pertaining to the proposed amendment of the above-stated rules at page 348 of the 2013 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 6.

 

2. The PER Board has amended the above-stated rules as proposed.

 

3. The PER Board has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the department's responses are as follows:

 

COMMENT #1: One commenter inquired if on-line reports, specifically payroll reports, needed to be sent in as hard copy reports.

 

RESPONSE #1: The rule is directed to e-mail and fax filings of applications and other forms. It does not apply to web reporting. 

 

COMMENT #2: One commenter asked for clarification regarding original documents filed by members or employers. They have received employment verification forms from MPERA in the past and have just scanned the document back to us. If the rule is requiring original signatures, she is suggesting that we only accept original employment verification documents.

 

RESPONSE #2:  The intent of the rule is to allow individuals to submit documents by fax or e-mail in order to meet filing deadlines. When the original is received, the processing of the form or application will begin. The process that the commenter is referring to for employers to verify employment dates of members has been changed to accommodate web reporting through the employer's regular reporting process which does not require an original signature because of employer verification incorporated in that process. 

 

 

/s/  Melanie Symons                                    /s/ Scott Moore                                

Melanie Symons                                          Scott Moore

Rule Reviewer                                             President

                                                                        Public Employees' Retirement Board

 

           

Certified to the Secretary of State May 13, 2013.