(a) Consistent with a process it establishes pursuant to subdivision (e), the board shall periodically adopt an actuarial projection regarding the ability of the system to continue providing, over a term to be established by the board, the purchasing power protection that is, at the time of the projection, being provided from the funds of the Supplemental Benefit Maintenance Account.

(b) If the board, in adopting the actuarial projection described in subdivision (a), determines that the annual transfers to the Supplemental Benefit Maintenance Account described in Section 22954, combined with all other anticipated sources of income to the account, are likely to be more than sufficient over the term established by the board to continue providing the purchasing power protection being provided at the time of the projection, it shall identify the maximum level of purchasing power protection benefits that it expects to be sustainable over that term from these contributions and other sources of income.

(c) If the board, in adopting the actuarial projection described in subdivision (a), determines that the annual transfers to the Supplemental Benefit Maintenance Account described in Section 22954, combined with all other anticipated sources of income to the account, are likely to be less than sufficient over the term established by the board to continue providing the purchasing power protection being provided at the time of the projection, it shall identify the maximum level of purchasing power protection benefits that it expects to be sustainable over that term from these contributions and other sources of income.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that the board shall adopt the projections and determinations described in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) pursuant to its powers and responsibilities under Section 17 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, including, but not limited to, the board’s fiduciary responsibility to the system’s participants and their beneficiaries and the board’s sole and exclusive power to provide for actuarial services of the system. Therefore, in its adoption of the projections and determinations required in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c), the board may utilize any actuarial assumptions, methods, and standards that it deems appropriate to determine the level of purchasing power protection benefits that it expects can be sustained over the term established by the board by funds of the Supplemental Benefit Maintenance Account.

(e) The board shall determine the frequency and timing of its adoption of the actuarial projection described in subdivision (a) in regulations that it adopts pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 24415.5.

(f) The board shall promptly provide to the Director of Finance, the Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security, and the Legislative Analyst a summary of its actuarial projections and other determinations, as adopted pursuant to subdivisions (a), (b), and (c). The report shall include a description of any adjustments of benefits made pursuant to Section 24415.5.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 751, Sec. 6. Effective September 30, 2008.)