19-50-102. Deferred compensation programs permitted -- rules. (1) The state or a political subdivision may establish deferred compensation plans that are eligible under section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. 457), as amended or superseded, and in compliance with regulations of the U.S. department of the treasury. Eligible deferred compensation plans for employees may be established in addition to any retirement, pension, or other benefit plan administered by the state or a political subdivision.
     (2) An employee may enter into a written agreement with the state or a political subdivision to defer a part of the employee's compensation to one or more of the investment options provided in subsection (4) for the purpose of investment as provided by this chapter. The total amount deferred may not exceed the employee's annual salary and may not exceed the amounts permitted under applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
     (3) Compensation deferred pursuant to this chapter is included as compensation for the purpose of computing retirement or pension benefits.
     (4) The department or an appropriate officer of a political subdivision shall from time to time select the type of investment options and the financial institutions or entities in which state or political subdivision employee deferred compensation plan funds may be invested. The department or an appropriate officer of a political subdivision shall notify affected plan members of potential changes in investment options and financial institutions before the changes are made. The investment options and entities may include:
     (a) a state deferred compensation investment fund established pursuant to Title 17 for the purpose of administering a state-invested deferred compensation plan. All contributions made by participants in the state deferred compensation investment fund and all interest or increase in the fund must be credited to the fund. These state-invested funds may be commingled with other state investment funds, but separate accounting must be maintained. The assets of the fund must be maintained for the benefit of participants and may not be diverted except for paying the reasonable expenses for administering the state deferred compensation investment fund.
     (b) savings accounts in federally insured financial institutions;
     (c) life insurance contracts and fixed annuity and variable annuity contracts from companies that are licensed to do business in the state and subject to regulation by the insurance commissioner;
     (d) investment funds managed pursuant to investment services contracts maintained by the department or an appropriate officer of a political subdivision with investment managers registered with the United States securities and exchange commission;
     (e) mutual funds provided through contracts maintained by the department or an appropriate officer of a political subdivision with mutual fund companies regulated by the United States securities and exchange commission; or
     (f) a combination of the items in subsections (4)(a) through (4)(e).
     (5) The deferred compensation plan funds invested pursuant to this section and the income from those funds must be held in a trust, custodial account, or insurance contract for the exclusive benefit of participants and their beneficiaries.
     (6) The administrator may allocate any necessary costs against the assets and interest earnings accumulated in funds, accounts, or contracts established under this chapter.
     (7) The department or appropriate officer of a political subdivision shall promulgate rules not inconsistent with this chapter for the proper administration of deferred compensation plans established under this chapter.

     History: En. 68-2701 by Sec. 1, Ch. 264, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 60, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 68-2701; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 472, L. 1981; Sec. 19-2-102, MCA 1991; redes. 19-50-102 by Code Commissioner, 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 37, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 109, Ch. 42, L. 1997.