Ariz. Admin. Code § R2-8-130 - Rescind or Revert Retirement Election; Change of Contingent Annuitant

A. The definitions in R2-8-126 apply to this Section.

B. According to A.R.S. § 38-760(B)(2), for a member whose Original Retirement Date is after August 9, 2001, upon the expiration of a member's period certain term the ASRS shall rescind the member's election and the ASRS shall provide the member a Straight Life Annuity retirement benefit subject to any retirement reductions applicable at the member's Original Retirement Date.

C. According to A.R.S. § 38-760(B)(2), a member whose Original Retirement Date is after August 9, 2001 and before July 1, 2008 and who elected a Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option, may rescind the election and elect to receive a Straight Life Annuity retirement benefit prior to the expiration of the member's period certain term.

D. According to A.R.S. § 38-760(B)(1), a member whose Original Retirement Date is before July 1, 2008 and who elected a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option may rescind the election and elect to receive a Straight Life Annuity retirement benefit prior to the member's death.

E. A member whose Original Retirement Date is on or after July 1, 2008 and who elected a Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option may exercise a one-time election to rescind the election and elect to receive a Straight Life Annuity retirement benefit prior to the expiration of the member's period certain term if the member provides proof to ASRS of the death of the primary beneficiary or a DRO showing that the primary beneficiary has ceased to be a primary beneficiary.

F. A member whose Original Retirement Date is on or after July 1, 2008 and who elected a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option may exercise a one-time election to rescind the election and elect to receive a Straight Life Annuity retirement benefit prior to the death of the member if the member provides proof to ASRS of the death of the contingent annuitant a DRO showing that the contingent annuitant has ceased to be a contingent annuitant.

G. A member who elected to rescind a Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option according to subsection (C) may elect to revert to the Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option by submitting an Application to Rescind, Revert or Change Contingent Annuitant as specified in subsection (M).

H. A member who elected to rescind a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option according to subsection (D) may elect to revert to the Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option by submitting an Application to Rescind, Revert or Change Contingent Annuitant as specified in subsection (M).

I. A member may only revert to the same Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option the member rescinded according to subsection (C) prior to the expiration of the period certain term the member elected at the member's most recent retirement.

J. A member who rescinds their election according to subsections (E) or (F) is not eligible to revert to a Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option or a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option.

K. Notwithstanding any other provision, the time period of a Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option shall be continuous from the member's retirement date until the term expires regardless of whether the member rescinds or reverts to another retirement option.

L. A member who wants to rescind or revert a retirement election according to subsections (C) through (H) shall ensure ASRS receives an Application to Rescind, Revert or Change Contingent Annuitant at least one day prior to the member's death.

M. In order to rescind, revert, or change a contingent annuitant, the member shall submit an Application to Rescind, Revert or Change Contingent Annuitant with the following information:

1. The member's full name;

2. The member's Social Security number or U.S. Tax Identification number;

3. The member's marital status, if not On File with ASRS;

4. Whether the member is electing to rescind, revert, or change a contingent annuitant;

5. The member's notarized signature acknowledging the following statements of understanding:

a. For rescinding a retirement election:

i. By this action, and the member's signature, the member is aware that the member's designated beneficiary or contingent annuitant will not continue with monthly benefits after the member's death;

ii. The member is aware that a certified copy of the member's designated beneficiary's or contingent annuitant's death certificate or a DRO is required if the member retired or re-retired on or after July 1, 2008;

iii. At the time of the member's death, if the ASRS has not disbursed the total employee contributions on the member's account, plus interest at the Assumed Actuarial Investment Earnings Rate specified in R2-8-118(A) through the month prior to the member's retirement date, the balance will be payable in a lump sum to the beneficiary named on the member's most recent Acceptable Form.

b. For changing a contingent annuitant or beneficiary:

i. For a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option, by this action, and the member's signature, the contingent annuitant named on the member's most recent Acceptable Form will receive the previously elected percentage amount of the member's monthly benefit for their lifetime following the member's death;

ii. For a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option, the member is aware that a copy of the contingent annuitant's Legal Documentation is required and the member's benefit will be recalculated based on the member's age and the age of the member's new contingent annuitant as of the effective date of the member's request according to this Section;

iii. For a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option, the member is in compliance with the age difference limitations in R2-8-128; and

iv. For a Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option, by this action, and the member's signature, the beneficiary named on the member's most recent Acceptable Form will receive the remaining term of monthly payments.

c. For reverting to a previously elected retirement benefit option according to A.R.S. § 38-760:

i. For a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option, by this action, and the member's signature, the contingent annuitant named the member's most recent Acceptable Form will receive the previously elected percentage amount of the member's monthly benefit for their lifetime following the member's death;

ii. For a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option, the member is aware that a copy of Legal Documentation showing the contingent annuitant's date of birth is required and the member's benefit will be recalculated based on the member's age and the age of the member's contingent annuitant as of the effective date of the member's request according to this Section;

iii. For a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option, the member is in compliance with the age difference limitations in R2-8-128; and

iv. For a Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option, by this action, and the member's signature, the beneficiary named on the member's most recent Acceptable Form will receive the remaining term of monthly payments.

6. If the member is electing to change a contingent annuitant, the following information for the new contingent annuitant:

a. Full name;

b. Social Security number, if the contingent annuitant is a U.S. citizen;

c. Date of birth; and

d. Legal relationship to the member.

7. If the member is married, whether the member's spouse consents to the following with the spouse's notarized signature:

a. The member making a beneficiary designation that provides the member's spouse with less than 50% of the member's account balance;

b. The member electing a retirement option other than a Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit Option; or

c. The member changing or ending the spouse's contingent annuitant status.

8. Whether the spouse's consent is not required because:

a. The spouse predeceased the member and if so, provide a copy of the spouse's death certificate; or

b. The member is divorced and if so, provide a DRO.

N. If the ASRS is unable to verify the age of the member or a contingent annuitant, the member or contingent annuitant shall provide Legal Documentation showing the member's or contingent annuitant's age.

O. The effective date of the member's request according to this Section is the date on which ASRS receives the Application to Rescind, Revert or Change Contingent Annuitant.

P. According to A.R.S. § 38-760(B)(2), a member whose Original Retirement Date is on or after July 1, 2008 and who elects a Period Certain and Life Annuity Retirement Benefit Option, may rescind the election according to subsection (E) and elect to receive a Straight Life Annuity prior to the expiration of the member's period certain term if one or more of the member's primary beneficiaries dies or ceases to be a beneficiary according to the terms of a DRO.

Q. The ASRS shall cancel a member's Application to Rescind, Revert, or Change Contingent Annuitant if ASRS does not receive all forms and information required under this Section within six months immediately after the ASRS receives the application.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R2-8-130

Adopted by final rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 2036, effective 11/8/2020. Amended by final rulemaking at 28 A.A.R. 1746, effective 9/4/2022.