Code of Maine Rules
94 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
411 - MAINE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM (MAINEPERS)
Chapter 414 - REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 411-414-2 - COMPLIANCE WITH CODE SECTION 401(a)(9) FOR A REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION TO A VESTED MEMBER

Universal Citation: 94 ME Code Rules ยง 411-414-2

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

1. Distribution of a service retirement benefit to a vested member must commence no later than the Required Beginning Date. If a member fails to apply for a service retirement benefit by the Required Beginning Date, the System will begin distribution of the monthly service retirement benefit under the benefit option set forth in 4 M.R.S.A. §1357(1), 5 M.R.S.A. §§ 17804(1) or 18404(1), as applicable to the member based upon the employer at last termination of employment before retirement.

A. The effective date of a service retirement benefit paid under this subsection is no later than April 1 of the year in which the Required Beginning Date occurs.

B. Once a service retirement benefit commences to be paid under this subsection, the member may not change the benefit option under which the benefit is paid.

2. The member's entire interest must be distributed over a time not to exceed the member's life or the lives of the member and a designated beneficiary, or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the member or of the member and a designated beneficiary.

3. The retirement program pursuant to a QDRO may establish separate benefits for a member and an alternate payee.

4. If a member dies after the required distribution of benefits has begun, the remaining portion of the member's interest must be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution before the member's death.

5. If a member dies before required distribution of the member's benefits has begun, the member's entire interest must be either:

A. distributed (in accordance with federal regulations) over a time not to exceed the life or life expectancy of the designated beneficiary, with the distributions beginning no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the member's death; or

B. distributed within five years of the member's death.

6. The amount of an annuity paid to a member's beneficiary may not exceed the maximum determined under the incidental death benefit requirement of Code Section 401(a)(9)(G), and the minimum distribution incidental benefit (MDIB) rule under Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(a)(9) -6, Q& A2 or any successor regulation thereto.

A. All payments to a member's spouse are treated by the regulations as satisfying the MDIB rules as long as the payment to the spouse is not greater than 100% of what the member was receiving.

B. All optional forms of benefits payable to a non-spousal beneficiary must be designed to pay 50% or more of the present value of the total benefit to the member.

7. The death and disability benefits provided by each retirement program are limited by the incidental benefit rule set forth in Code Section 401(a)(9)(G) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.401-1(b)(1)(i) or any successor regulation thereto. As a result, the total death or disability benefits payable may not exceed 25% of the cost for all of the member's benefits received from each retirement program.

8. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this rule or the provisions of the Treasury Regulations, benefit options under 4 M.R.S.A. §1357, 5 M.R.S.A. §§ 17804 and 18404 may continue so long as the option satisfies Code Section 401(a)(9) based on a reasonable and good faith interpretation of that section. Benefit options that do not satisfy this Section will not be available to the member or beneficiary.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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