Sec. 31-115. - General provisions.

(a)

Effective January 1, 2000, the fund will experience rate dental plans for city retirees based on the actual cost of providing post-retirement dental benefits to the city retirees. Dental plans offered to city retirees will include only the following types of coverages: (i) single, (ii) single plus one, and (iii) family.

(b)

City retirees may continue only the dental plan coverages, if any, in effect for them as of the effective date of their retirement. After retirement, coverage levels may not be increased by a retiree. Coverage levels may be decreased at the option of a retiree or in accordance with the provisions of the city's post-retirement dental plan. Once decreased, coverage levels may not subsequently be increased.

(c)

The spouse of a deceased city retiree who is eligible to receive a monthly spousal annuity under article II of this chapter may continue dental coverage through the fund. Such coverage may not be increased by the surviving spouse, but may be decreased at the option of the surviving spouse or in accordance with the provisions of the city's post-retirement dental plan.

(d)

A dependent child of a deceased city retiree who is receiving a monthly annuity under article II of this chapter may elect to continue dental coverage through the fund at the level existing on the date of the retiree's death. Such coverage may not be increased by a dependent child, but may be decreased at the option of a dependent child or in accordance with the provisions of the city's post-retirement dental plan.

(e)

A member who is receiving an occupational or a non-occupational partial disability benefit pursuant to the provisions of section 31-58 of this chapter may continue dental coverage through the fund at the level existing on the effective date of the partial disability. Such coverage may not be increased by the member, but may be decreased at the member's option or in accordance with the provisions of the city's post-retirement dental plan.

(f)

Post-retirement dental insurance premiums are due and payable in advance on the first city business day of each month. To the extent a recipient's monthly retirement or disability benefit payment under article II is sufficient to pay the required insurance premiums, such premiums shall be deducted from the retiree's benefit payment. To the extent a recipient's monthly benefit payment is not sufficient to pay the required insurance premiums, the recipient shall be responsible for remitting the deficiency prior to the next premium due date. If the premium payment or any deficiency payment is not received by the city's department of finance within thirty (30) days after notice is given to the insured, coverage will be terminated with no right of reinstatement. An election of coverage under this article shall be deemed to be an agreement to have retirement or disability benefits reduced to cover premiums as provided in this subsection.

(Ord. No. 5431-00; Ord. No. 6434-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6658-10, § 1; Ord. No. 6696-10, § 1)

Sec. 31-116. - Fund's contribution.

(a)

The fund shall contribute toward a member's city sponsored post-retirement dental insurance premiums only in accordance with the provisions of this division.

(b)

Effective January 1, 2000, the fund shall pay seventy-five (75) percent of the cost of a member's dental insurance premiums, based on the city sponsored post-retirement dental insurance plan elected by that member at retirement, through June 30, 2005.

(c)

On June 30, 2005, the dollar amount of the fund's contribution provided for in subsection (b) of this section shall be capped at the amount in effect on June 30, 2005, and this amount shall constitute the amount upon which future contributions by the fund shall be calculated. However, this subsection only applies to members who have either retired on or before March 1, 2010, or who have accrued at least ten (10) years of credited service as of February 28, 2010.

(d)

On and after March 1, 2010, the dollar amount of the fund's contribution for members hired before March 1, 2010 and who possess less than ten (10) years of credited service as of February 28, 2010 shall be as follows:

(1)

Single coverage: Same fund contribution as provided in subsection (c); and

(2)

All other coverages: Fund contribution capped at sixty (60) percent of the cost of dental insurance premiums in effect on March 1, 2010 for the elected level of coverage.

(e)

The fund shall not contribute towards the city sponsored post-retirement dental insurance premiums for any employee of the city, employee of an elected official, or elected official, hired, rehired, or elected on or after March 1, 2010. However, such persons may continue only the dental plan coverage, if any, in effect for them as of the date of their retirement by paying one hundred (100) percent of the premium, and subject to the provisions of section 31-110. For purposes of this subsection, the term "city retiree" in section 31-110 means an employee of the city, an employee of an elected official, and an elected official with at least five (5) years of actual service immediately prior to retirement.

(f)

On January 1, 2011, and on January 1 of each year thereafter, the amount of contribution which the fund shall pay toward a member's dental insurance premiums required by the city sponsored post-retirement dental insurance plan shall be increased one (1) percent for the first one (1) percent increase, or part thereof, in the United States Average Consumer Price Index (Urban) for all items as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the most recent calendar year over the corresponding annual average for the immediately preceding calendar year for the previous calendar year (the CPI), and one-half (½) for each additional one (1) percent increase, or part thereof, in the CPI for the previous calendar year; however the increase in the contribution shall not exceed a maximum increase of three and one-half (3½) percent in any one (1) calendar year.

(Ord. No. 5431-00; Ord. No. 6434-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6658-10, § 1; Ord. No. 6696-10, § 1)

Sec. 31-117. - Fund's contribution schedule.

(a)

Effective January 1, 2000, all retirees who were insured for dental coverage and city employees who were eligible to retire based on age or service before July 1, 2005, shall be entitled to receive full benefit of the fund's contribution upon retirement as post-retirement dental benefits.

(b)

Effective January 1, 2000, all qualified city employees who do not satisfy the criteria provided in subsection 31-117(a) and who have accrued at least ten (10) years of credited service as of February 28, 2010, shall be entitled to receive contributions from the fund toward their dental insurance premiums in accordance with the following schedule:

(c)

All qualified city employees hired before March 1, 2010 who do not satisfy the criteria provided in subsections (a) or (b), shall be entitled upon retirement to receive contributions from the fund toward their dental insurance premiums required by the city sponsored dental insurance plan in accordance with the following schedule:

(Ord. No. 5431-00; Ord. No. 6434-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6658-10, § 1; Ord. No. 6696-10, § 1)

Secs. 31-118—31-124. - Reserved.

Note—See editor's note at Div. 6.