ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Philadelphia Code tit. 22, ch. 22-1200

in effect

Philadelphia Code § 22-1201 General Powers and Duties of the Board.

§ 22-1201. General Powers and Duties of the Board. (1) General administration and management. The general administration and management of the Retirement System is vested in the Board. (2) Financial statements. At least once each year, the Board shall have prepared a financial statement summarizing the transactions of the Retirement System, and shall submit such statement to the Mayor. The Board shall maintain, in convenient form, such data as shall be necessary for actuarial valuation of the Retirement System and the plans thereunder. (3) Risk management. Within seven (7) days of receipt of by the Board of an application for retirement benefits (other than survivor's benefits), the Board shall notify the City's Risk Manager of the application. (4) To codify the Board's preexisting policy and practice, at least once each year, the Board shall have a stress test of the Retirement System conducted in accordance with industry standards, shall document the results of such test in a report, and shall submit such report to the clerk of City Council by May 31st each calendar year. The stress test shall comply with the following minimum guidelines: 191 (a) The annual stress test shall be based on a projection of the Retirement System's actual and projected assets and liabilities, including unfunded actuarial liabilities, benefit payments, service costs, and payroll, and shall take into account the potential variation in projected employer contributions, the rate of investment return, and such other variables as determined prudent by the Board after consultation with a qualified actuary. (b) The annual stress test shall examine the potential changes projected with respect to unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities, potential operating cash flow to assets; potential normal cost; potential employer contributions; the impact on projected City Budgets on a dollar and percentage basis as reported to the Pension Board by the Director of Finance; and such other variables as determined prudent by the Board after consultation with a qualified actuary, for each of the next five (5) years from the date of the stress test. Additionally, the stress test shall include an analysis that simulates the volatility of annual investment returns above and below the assumed rate of return adopted by the Board, all in accordance with recognized industry standards. (c) The report of the stress test results shall document the assumptions and methodologies used to perform the test and shall indicate any ways in which the assumptions used or tests performed differed from industry standards. Notes 191 | Added, Bill No. 210772 (approved December 15, 2021).

Philadelphia Code § 22-1202 Hearings and Appeals.

§ 22-1202. Hearings and Appeals. (1) In general. Eligibility for membership in the Retirement System or the entitlement of any member, or of any person claiming through such member, to benefits accrued or rights accorded under this Title shall be determined after notice and opportunity to be heard. Any member or other claimant shall have a right to appeal to the Board any decision or determination affecting such person's claimed benefits or rights. Findings and decisions of the Board on any actions taken by the Board or any of its employees shall be final and there shall be no further appeal other than to court as provided by law. (2) Hearing panel. The Board may designate any three members of the Board as a hearing panel to conduct any hearing whether on review, appeal or otherwise. The hearing panel shall take testimony and prepare a recommendation which shall be forwarded to the Board for its consideration.

Philadelphia Code § 22-1203 Medical Panel.

§ 22-1203. Medical Panel. (1) Appointment. The Board shall appoint a Medical Panel as medical examiners on behalf of the Board. Preference shall be given to physicians employed by the City Health Department. If required, other physicians may be employed by the Board to report on specific cases. (2) Medical examinations. The Medical Panel shall conduct all medical examinations required under the provisions of this Title, and shall report in writing to the Board its medical findings and medical opinions upon any matter referred to it. (3) Disqualification. If a medical examination involves a member of the Medical Panel or a family member of such individual, such member of the Medical Panel shall be disqualified from acting in such matter. (4) Disability and death benefits. Disability retirement benefits and service-connected death benefits may be granted only after a report is submitted by the Medical Panel. An applicant for disability benefits whose initial application has been rejected shall have the right to be reexamined for the claimed disability not more frequently than every six months. The Board may in its sole discretion grant more frequent reexaminations. (5) Appointment of new medical panel. If an application is denied, the Board may, upon the request of the applicant and the presentation of satisfactory evidence, appoint a new medical panel to review the application and submit its medical findings to the Board.

Philadelphia Code § 22-1204 Adjustment of Payments.

§ 22-1204. Adjustment of Payments. Should any member, survivor or beneficiary receive a benefit from the Retirement System more or less than such person is entitled to receive, the Board, on the discovery of any such error, regardless of the intentional or unintentional nature of the error, shall correct such error and, so far as practicable, shall adjust the payments which may be made for and to such person in such a manner that the actuarial equivalent of the benefit to which the person was entitled shall be paid. The Board shall also be authorized to recover any excess payment including the right to make deductions from future benefits.

Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-303337Fetched: 10/27/2026