2017-COH - DWS Financial Statements and Supplementary Information With Independent Auditor's Report

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County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply (A component unit of the County of Hawaii, State of Hawaii) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS June 30, 2017 NOTE F - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Continued) membership classes known as the noncontributory, contributory and hybrid retirement classes. The three classes provide a monthly retirement allowance equal to the benefit multiplier (generally 1.25% or 2%) multiplied by the average final compensation multiplied by years of credited service. Average final compensation for members hired prior to July 1, 2012 is an average of the highest salaries during any three years of credited service, excluding any salary paid in lieu of vacation for members hired January 1, 1971 or later and the average of the highest salaries during any five years of credited service including any salary paid in lieu of vacation for members hired prior to January 1, 1971. For members hired after June 30, 2012, average final compensation is an average of the highest salaries during any five years of credited service excluding any salary paid in lieu of vacation. Each retiree's original retirement allowance is increased on each July 1 beginning the calendar year after retirement. Retirees first hired as members prior to July 1, 2012 receive a 2.5% increase each year of their original retirement allowance without a ceiling. Retirees first hired as members after June 30, 2012 receive a 1.5% increase each year of their original retirement allowance without a ceiling. The annual increase is not compounded. The following summarizes the provisions relevant to the largest employee groups of the respective membership class. Retirement benefits for certain groups, such as police officers, firefighters, some investigators, sewer workers, judges, and elected officials, vary from general employees. Noncontributory Class Retirement Benefits - General employees' retirement benefits are determined as 1.25% of average final compensation multiplied by the years of credited service. Employees with ten years of credited service are eligible to retire at age 62. Employees with 30 years of credited service are eligible to retire at age 55. Disability Benefits - Members are eligible for service -related disability benefits regardless of length of service and receive a lifetime pension of 35% of their average final compensation. Ten years of credited service is required for ordinary disability. Ordinary disability benefits are determined in the same manner as retirement benefits but are payable immediately, without an actuarial reduction, and at a minimum of 12.5% of average final compensation. Death Benefits - For service -connected deaths, the surviving spouse/reciprocal beneficiary receives a monthly benefit of 30% of the average final compensation until remarriage or re-entry into a new reciprocal beneficiary relationship. Additional benefits are payable to surviving dependent children up to age 18. If there is no spouse/reciprocal beneficiary or dependent children, no benefit is payable. Ordinary death benefits are available to employees who were active at time of death with at least ten years of credited service. The surviving spouse/reciprocal beneficiary (until remarriage/re-entry into a new reciprocal beneficiary relationship) and dependent children (up to age 18) receive a benefit equal to a percentage of the member's accrued KET