§ 2. [Definitions.]

The following words and phrases as used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, shall have the following meanings:

(1)

"Accumulated contributions" means the sum of all amounts deducted from a member's compensation and credited to the member's individual account in the reserve for member's contributions, together with interest thereon as allocated by the retirement board.

(2)

"Beneficiary" means an individual who is being paid or is entitled to the future payment of a retirement allowance for any reason other than the individual's membership in the retirement system.

(3)

"City" means the City of Birmingham, Michigan, and shall include its several offices and departments and the public library established under this Charter.

(4)

"Compensation" means the salary or wages paid to a member for personal services rendered to the city while a member of the Retirement System. Salary and wages shall include longevity pay; overtime pay; cost of living allowances; shift differentials; pay for periods of absence from work by reason of employer approved vacation, holiday and sickness; and deferred compensation amounts under deferred compensation programs recognized by the city commission. Compensation shall not include any renumeration [remuneration] or reimbursement not specifically stated to be included, such as allowances for clothing, equipment, cleaning and travel; reimbursement of expenses; bonuses; termination or severance pay; payments in consideration of unused vacation or sick leave; and the value of any fringe benefit.

(5)

"Credited service" means service credited to a member by the retirement board to the extent provided by ordinance.

(6)

"Fire member" means any officer or employee in the fire department of the city holding the rank of fire fighter, including probationary fire fighter, or higher rank. The term "fire member" shall not include: (1) any civilian employee in the fire department; (2) any person temporarily employed in the fire department for an emergency; and (3) any person privately employed as a fire fighter.

(7)

"General member" means any member, except a police or fire member.

(8)

"Interest" means such rate or rates of interest per year, compounded annually, as the board shall from time to time determine.

(9)

"Member" means any person included in the membership of the retirement system.

(10)

"Police member" means any officer or employee in the police department of the city holding the rank of patrol officers, including probationary patrol officers, or higher rank. The term "police member" shall not include: (1) any civilian employee in the police department; (2) any person temporarily employed in the police department for an emergency; and (3) any person privately employed as a police officer.

(11)

"Retired member" means a person who is paid a retirement allowance on account of their membership in the retirement system.

(12)

"Retirement" means a member's withdrawal from city employment with a retirement allowance payable by the retirement system.

(13)

"Retirement allowance" means a series of monthly payments payable by the retirement system throughout the future lifetime of a person or for a temporary period as may be provided by ordinance.

(14)

"Retirement board" or "board" means the retirement board provided for in this chapter.

(15)

"Service" means service rendered to the city by an officer or employee of the city while a member of the retirement system and qualifying military service.

(16)

The masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and words of the singular number in relation of persons shall include the plural number and vice versa.