§ 40A:14-193 — Existing programs deemed valid; conditions for continuation.

11. Any length of service award program that involves any form of insurance or annuity program in existence prior to the effective date of this act is deemed valid in all respects, and may continue to operate subject to the following conditions: a. That the director be notified of the existence of the program and its benefits within 60 days of the effective date of this act; b. That within 180 days of being notified by the director to do so, the sponsoring agency shall file with the director documentation that demonstrates its program has been brought into compliance with this act, provided, however that such sponsoring agency need not comply with subsection c. of section 3 of P.L.1997, c.388 (C.40A:14-185), and further provided, however, that any existing defined benefit annuity programs may be continued, but only with benefit levels whereby participants who vested prior to the effective date of P.L.1997, c.388 (C.40A:14-183 et al.) with benefits in excess of $750 per month shall not receive or be entitled to benefits in excess of the benefits level in existence as of the effective date of P.L.1997, c.388 (C.40A:14-183 et al.), and participants who vest subsequent to the effective date of P.L.1997, c.388 (C.40A:14-183 et al.) shall not receive a benefit in excess of $750 per month which level may be adjusted by the means provided in subsection f. of section 3 of P.L.1997, c.388 (C.40A:14-185); and c. Any benefit vested in a participant of a length of service award program prior to the effective date of this act shall be exempt from the contribution and benefit limitations of sections 4 and 7 of P.L.1997, c.388 (C.40A:14-186 and C.40A:14-189) and shall be deemed valid in all respects from program inception. L.1997,c.388,s.11.