Iowa Admin. Code r. 495-16.1

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

Rule 495-16.1 - Garnishments and income withholding orders

(1) For the limited purposes of this rule, the term "member" includes IPERS members, beneficiaries, contingent annuitants and any other third-party payees to whom IPERS is paying a monthly benefit or a lump sum distribution.

(2) A member's right to any payment from IPERS is not transferable or assignable and is not subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, including bankruptcy or insolvency law, except for the purpose of enforcing child, spousal, or medical support.

(3) Only members receiving payment from IPERS, including monthly benefits and lump sum distributions, may be subject to garnishment, attachment, or execution against funds that are payable. Such garnishment, attachment, or execution is not valid and enforceable for members who have not applied for and have not been approved to receive funds from IPERS.

(4) Upon receipt of an income withholding order issued by the Iowa department of human services or a court, IPERS shall send a copy of the withholding order to the member If a garnishment has been issued by a court, the party pursuing the garnishment shall send a notice pursuant to Iowa law to the member against whom the garnishment is issued.

(5) IPERS shall continue to withhold a portion of the member's monthly benefit as specified in the initial withholding order until instructed by the court or the Iowa department of human services issuing the order to amend or cease payment. IPERS shall continue to withhold a portion of the member's monthly benefit as specified in the garnishment until the garnishment expires or is released.

(6) Funds withheld or garnished are taxable to the member IPERS may assess a fee of $2 per payment in accordance with Iowa Code section 252D.18A(2). The fee will be deducted from the gross amount, less federal and state income tax, before a distribution is divided.

(7) A garnishment, attachment or execution may not be levied upon funds which are already the subject of a levy, including a levy placed upon funds by the United States Internal Revenue Service, unless the requirements of IRC Section 6334(a)(8) are met. Multiple garnishments, attachments and executions are allowed as long as the amount levied upon does not exceed the limitations prescribed in 15 U.S.C. Section 1673(b).

(8) IPERS may release information relating to entitlement to funds to a court or to the Iowa department of human services prior to receipt of a valid garnishment, attachment, execution, or income withholding order when presented with a written request stating the information requested and reasons for the request. This request must be signed by a magistrate, judge, or child support recovery unit director or the director's designee, including an attorney representing the Iowa department of human services. In addition, IPERS may release information to the Iowa department of human services through automated matches.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 495-16.1