Federal Benefit Payments Under Certain District of Columbia Retirement Plans

The Department of the Treasury, Departmental Offices, is issuing final regulations to implement the provisions of Title XI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, as amended (the Act) related to the split between Federal and District obligations. Pursuant to the Act, with certain exceptions, Treasury has responsibility for payment of benefits based on service accrued as of June 30, 1997, under the retirement plans for District of Columbia teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Benefits for service after that date, and certain other benefits, are funded by the District of Columbia. These regulations amend earlier regulations which implement the provisions of the Act, establishing the methodology for determining the split between the Federal and District obligations. The effective date was delayed pending completion of Treasury's new automated retirement system, "System to Administer Retirement" (STAR), which replaced the District's legacy automated retirement system. While the new system has been completed, the amended regulations establish additional rules and provide additional examples of benefit calculation scenarios, a need identified during systems development. The amendments have minimal financial impact and were introduced to simplify calculations and maintain consistency with the general principles established in the original regulations.