Section 26139 Of Chapter 2. Definitions From California Education Code >> Division 1. >> Title 1. >> Part 14. >> Chapter 2.
26139
. (a) "Salary" means remuneration paid in cash by an employer
to a participant for creditable service performed in that position
subject to coverage under the Cash Balance Benefit Program. Salary
shall include:
(1) Money paid in accordance with a publicly available written
contractual agreement, including, but not limited to, a salary
schedule, based on years of training and years of experience as
specified in Section 45028 for creditable service performed.
(2) For participants not paid according to a salary schedule,
money paid for creditable service performed in accordance with a
publicly available written contractual agreement, including, but not
limited to, a collective bargaining agreement or an employment
agreement.
(3) Money paid for the participant's absence from performance of
creditable service as approved by an employer, except as provided in
paragraph (5) of subdivision (b).
(4) Employee contributions picked up by an employer pursuant to
Section 26502.
(5) Amounts deducted by an employer from the participant's salary,
including, but not limited to, deductions for participation in a
deferred compensation plan; deductions for the purchase of an annuity
contract, tax-deferred retirement plan, or other insurance program;
and deductions for participation in a plan that meets the
requirements of Section 125, 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or 457
(f) of Title 26 of the United States Code.
(6) Money paid by an employer in addition to salary paid under
paragraph (1) or (2) if paid to all employees in a class in the same
dollar amount, the same percentage of salary, or the same percentage
of the amount being distributed.
(7) Any other payments the board determines by plan amendment to
be "salary."
(b) "Salary" does not mean and shall not include:
(1) Money paid for service that is not creditable service.
(2) Money paid by an employer in addition to salary paid under
paragraph (1) or (2) if not paid to all employees in a class in the
same dollar amount, the same percentage of salary, or the same
percentage of the amount being distributed.
(3) Fringe benefits provided by an employer.
(4) Expenses paid or reimbursed by an employer.
(5) Money paid in exchange for the relinquishment of unused
accumulated leave.
(6) Severance pay, including lump-sum and installment payments, or
money paid in excess of salary or wages to a participant as
compensatory damages or as a compromise settlement.
(7) Payments, including, but not limited to, those for
participation in a deferred compensation plan; to purchase an annuity
contract, tax-deferred retirement program, or other insurance
program; and for participation in a plan that meets the requirements
of Section 125, 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or 457(f) of Title 26
of the United States Code that are purchased by an employer for a
participant.
(8) Any payments determined by the system to have been made by an
employer to enhance a participant's benefits.
(9) Any other payments the board determines by plan amendment not
to be "salary."
(c) Any employer or person who knowingly or willfully reports
salary in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of subdivisions
(a) or (b) may be subject to prosecution for fraud, theft, or
embezzlement in accordance with provisions of the Penal Code. The
system may establish procedures to ensure that salary reported by an
employer is in compliance with this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, remuneration shall be considered
paid if distributed to any person in the same class of employees who
meets the qualifications or requirements specified in a publicly
available written contractual agreement, including, but not limited
to, a collective bargaining agreement or an employment agreement, as
a condition of receiving the remuneration.
(e) This section shall be deemed to have become operative on July
1, 1996.
(f) This section shall not apply to a participant subject to the
California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013.