Notice of Development of Rulemaking

STATE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Education Expense Board
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
19B-16.008: Contingent Benefactor
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Revises requirements for Investment Plan accounts established on or after February 1, 2009, to: a) provide that the benefactor and contingent benefactor each enjoy a survivorship right; and b) require the benefactor’s and the contingent benefactor’s authorization for requests to change the benefactor, contingent benefactor and designated beneficiary, to voluntarily terminate an Investment Plan account and to obtain refunds associated with the termination of an Investment Plan account. Allows benefactors and contingent benefactors to revise the requirements for Investment Plan accounts established prior to February 1, 2009, to include those requirements.
The changes made by this rule for the Investment Plan will apply to Investment Plans established on or after February 1, 2009, because that is the date similar rule changes for the Prepaid Plan will become effective. The changes being made for the Prepaid Plan will apply to applications for the Prepaid Plan received on or after February 1, 2009, the first day the Board will begin receiving Prepaid Plan applications for the 2009-2010 Open Enrollment. That is the earliest practical date the changes for the Prepaid Plan can be made effective. Making the changes to both plans effective on the same day will simplify administration and avoid customer confusion.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The requirements, rights and responsibilities of a contingent benefactor of a Florida College Investment Plan.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1009.971(1), (4), (6) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1009.981 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
TIME AND DATE: September 29, 2008, 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Suite 210, Hermitage Building, 1801 Hermitage Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Thomas J. Wallace, Executive Director, 1801 Hermitage Boulevard, Suite 210, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, telephone (850)488-8514

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

19B-16.008 Contingent Benefactor.

(1) For accounts established prior to February 1, 2009:

(a) The benefactor may designate a contingent benefactor on the application who will enjoy a right of survivorship in the event of the death of the benefactor and who will become the owner of the account automatically upon the death of the benefactor, subject to any applicable limitations associated with the benefactor functioning in a custodial capacity.

(b) Upon the death of the benefactor, the contingent benefactor shall become the benefactor if the Board receives a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased benefactor and a completed application signed by the contingent benefactor.

(c) Subject to any applicable limitations associated with the benefactor functioning in a custodial capacity, the benefactor may change the contingent benefactor at any time without the consent of the contingent benefactor by submitting a written request signed by the benefactor to the Board.

(d) The benefactor may elect to change the rights of a contingent benefactor to be the same as those for accounts established on or after February 1, 2009, by submitting a written request to the Board. The request must contain the notarized signatures of the benefactor and the contingent benefactor. If the benefactor changes the rights enjoyed by the contingent benefactor to those for accounts established on or after February 1, 2009, the change in the contingent benefactor’s rights is irrevocable, the provisions of paragraphs 19B-16.008(1)(a), (b) and (c), F.A.C., shall not apply to the account, the provisions of subsection 19B-16.008(2), F.A.C., shall apply to the account, and the account shall be deemed to have been established on or after February 1, 2009.

(2) For accounts established on or after February 1, 2009:

(a) The benefactor may designate a contingent benefactor on the application. When a contingent benefactor is designated, the benefactor and the co-benefactor each will enjoy a right of survivorship in the event of the death of the other and, if the Board receives a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased benefactor or contingent benefactor, the survivor of them will become the sole owner of the account automatically, subject to any applicable limitations associated with the benefactor functioning in a custodial capacity.

(b) Changes to the benefactor, contingent benefactor and designated benefciary for a participation agreement, requests for the voluntary termination for a participation agreement and requests for refunds associated with the termination of a participation agreement must be in writing and contain the notarized signatures of the benefactor and the contingent benefactor.

Specific Authority 1009.971(1), (4), (6) FS. Law Implemented 1009.981 FS. History–New 5-30-02, Amended 11-27-02,________.