State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Rss > Article-8 > Title-3 > 313

§  313.  Management  of  funds.    a. The funds of the policemen's and  firemen's retirement system shall be managed  in  accordance  with  this  section.    b.  The  comptroller  shall  be  trustee  of  the several funds of the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system.  Such  funds  shall  be  invested  by  the comptroller in securities in which he is authorized by  law to invest the funds of the state,  except  that  he  may  invest  in  obligations  consisting  of  notes, bonds, debentures or equipment trust  certificates issued under an indenture, which are the direct obligations  of, or in the case of equipment trust certificates are secured by direct  obligations of, a railroad or industrial corporation, or  a  corporation  engaged  directly  and  primarily  in  the  production,  transportation,  distribution, or sale of  electricity,  or  gas,  or  the  operation  of  telephone  or telegraph systems or waterworks, or in some combination of  them; provided the obligor corporation  is  one  which  is  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the United States, or any state thereof, or of the  District of Columbia, and said obligations shall be rated at the time of  purchase within the three  highest  classifications  established  by  at  least  two  standard  rating  services.    The  maximum  amount that the  comptroller may invest in such obligations shall not exceed  thirty  per  centum  of  the  assets  of the New York state policemen's and firemen's  retirement system's funds; and provided further that not more  than  two  and  one-half per centum of the assets of the New York state policemen's  and firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of the highest classification and  subsidiary or subsidiaries thereof, that not more than two per centum of  the assets of the New York state policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of the  second  highest  classification  and  subsidiary  or  subsidiaries  thereof, that not more than one and one-half per centum of  the assets of the New York state policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of  the  third  highest  classification  and  subsidiary  or  subsidiaries  thereof.    He  shall,  however,  be subject to all terms,  conditions, limitations and restrictions imposed by this article and  by  law upon the making of such investments. The comptroller shall have full  power:    1.  To hold, purchase, sell, assign, transfer or dispose of any of the  securities or investments, in which any of the funds of the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system  shall  be  invested,  including  the  proceeds of such investments and any monies belonging to such funds, and    2. In his name as trustee, to foreclose mortgages upon default  or  to  take  title  to real property in such proceedings in lieu thereof and to  lease and sell real property so acquired.    c. The comptroller annually shall credit to each of the funds  of  the  policemen's and firemen's retirement system regular interest on the mean  amount therein for the preceding year.    d.  The  custody  of  all  funds  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement system shall be in the charge of the head of the division  of  the  treasury  of the department of taxation and finance, subject to the  supervision and control of the commissioner of taxation and finance.    e. Payment of all pensions, annuities and other benefits shall be made  as provided in this article. For the purpose  of  meeting  disbursements  for  pensions,  annuities and other payments ordered by the comptroller,  the head of such division may keep on deposit an  available  fund  which  shall not exceed ten per centum of the total amount of the several funds  of  the policemen's and firemen's retirement system.  Every such deposit  shall be kept only in a bank or trust company organized under  the  lawsof  this state, or in a national bank located in this state, which shall  furnish adequate security therefor.    f.  The  comptroller,  however,  shall  have  a  fund in his immediate  possession. Such fund shall be used for the immediate payment of:    1. All pensions, annuities and other benefits, and    2.  Such  expenses  as  may  necessarily  be  incurred  in  acquiring,  servicing  and  foreclosing  mortgages  and  in  acquiring, managing and  protecting investments, and    3. Such special expenditures for which the policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement system will be paid by the state or a participating employer.  Such  fund  shall  be  reimbursed  from time to time by the head of such  division on the warrant of the comptroller.    g. Neither the comptroller nor any person employed on the work of  the  policemen's and firemen's retirement system shall:    1.  Except  as herein provided, have any interest, direct or indirect,  in the gains or  profits  of  any  investment  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system, nor, in connection therewith, directly or  indirectly, receive any pay or emolument for his services.    2. Except as provided in section three hundred fifty of this article:    (a) Directly or indirectly, for himself or as an agent or  partner  of  others,  borrow  any  of  its funds or deposits or in any manner use the  same  except  to  make  such  current  and  necessary  payments  as  are  authorized by the comptroller, or    (b)  Become  an endorser, surety or an obligor in any manner of monies  loaned by or borrowed of such funds.    h. The policemen's and firemen's retirement system may use a  part  of  its  funds,  not  exceeding  ten  per  centum  of  its  assets,  (1) for  purchasing or leasing of land in the city of Albany and the construction  thereon of a suitable office building or buildings for  the  transaction  of  the business of the retirement system, (2) for purchasing or leasing  of land in the cities of  Albany,  Syracuse,  Buffalo,  Binghamton,  New  York,  Rochester  and  Utica  and the construction thereon of a suitable  office building or buildings for purposes of lease or sale to the state,  (3) for purchasing or leasing of land in the city of Albany on the north  and south sides of Washington avenue commonly known as the "Campus Site"  acquired by the  state  for  a  state  building  site  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  chapter five hundred seventy-two of the laws of nineteen  hundred  forty-seven  and  the  construction  thereon  of  power  plants  including  service  connections,  electric substations including service  connections,  garages,  warehouses  and  restaurant  facilities   deemed  necessary  for  the  efficient  and  economical  operation of the office  building or buildings constructed on such land and (4) for purchasing or  leasing of land in the city of Albany acquired by the state for suitable  parking facilities for the use primarily of employees of the  state  and  persons  having  business  with state departments and state agencies and  the  construction  thereon  of  such   structures,   appurtenances   and  facilities  deemed  necessary for the efficient and economical operation  of  the  parking  facilities  constructed  on  such  land  and  (5)  for  purchasing  or  leasing  of  land  in  locations  approved  by the state  university trustees and the construction,  acquisition,  reconstruction,  rehabilitation  or  improvement  of  suitable  buildings  or  facilities  thereon  for  purposes  of  lease  or  sale  to  the  state   university  construction  fund, such buildings or facilities to be used by the state  university or by state-operated institutions or  statutory  or  contract  colleges  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  state  university or by the  students, faculty and staff of the  state  university  or  of  any  such  state-operated  institution  or statutory or contract college, and their  families.The policemen's and firemen's retirement system from time to time  may  lease to any public agency any portion of a building constructed for the  transaction  of its business which may not be required for such purpose,  upon such terms and conditions as shall be deemed to  be  for  the  best  interest of the policemen's and firemen's retirement system.    Real  property  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's retirement system  acquired or constructed pursuant to this  subdivision  shall  be  exempt  from taxation.    i.  At  the  close of each fiscal year, the average rate of investment  earnings of the retirement system shall be computed by the  actuary  and  certified  to  the  comptroller.  This rate shall be determined from the  investment earnings during the calendar year which  ended  three  months  prior  to  the  close of the fiscal year. For any year that such average  rate of earnings is in excess of three per centum but not in  excess  of  four  per  centum,  the  comptroller  shall  declare  a  rate of special  interest, for members earning regular  interest  of  three  per  centum,  equal  to the difference between such average rate of earnings and three  per centum, expressed to the lower one-tenth of one per centum, but  not  in  excess  of  one per centum. For any year, commencing with the fiscal  year the first day of which is April first,  nineteen  hundred  seventy,  that  such average rate of earnings is in excess of four per centum, the  special rate of interest for members earning regular interest  of  three  per centum shall be equal to the difference between such average rate of  earnings  and  three per centum, expressed to the lower one-tenth of one  per centum, but not in excess of two per centum, and for members earning  regular interest of four per centum, it shall be the difference  between  such  average  rate  of  earnings  and four per centum, expressed to the  lower one-tenth of one per centum, but not in excess of one per  centum.  Special interest at such rates, shall be credited, by the comptroller at  the  same  time  that  regular  interest  is credited, to the individual  annuity savings accounts of persons who are members as of the  close  of  the fiscal year. Special interest shall not be considered in determining  rates of contribution of members. In the case of persons who last became  members  on  or  after  July  first, nineteen hundred seventy-three, the  provisions of this subdivision shall apply  only  to  the  fiscal  years  beginning  April  first,  nineteen  hundred seventy-two and ending March  thirty-first, nineteen hundred seventy-three.    j. The retirement system may invest, within the limitations authorized  for investments in conventional mortgages, a part of its funds in  first  mortgages on real property located anywhere within the boundaries of the  United  States  and  leased  to  the  government  of  the United States,  provided however, that no such investment shall be made unless the terms  of the mortgage shall provide for amortization  payments  in  an  amount  sufficient  to  completely  amortize  the  loan within the period of the  lease.

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Rss > Article-8 > Title-3 > 313

§  313.  Management  of  funds.    a. The funds of the policemen's and  firemen's retirement system shall be managed  in  accordance  with  this  section.    b.  The  comptroller  shall  be  trustee  of  the several funds of the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system.  Such  funds  shall  be  invested  by  the comptroller in securities in which he is authorized by  law to invest the funds of the state,  except  that  he  may  invest  in  obligations  consisting  of  notes, bonds, debentures or equipment trust  certificates issued under an indenture, which are the direct obligations  of, or in the case of equipment trust certificates are secured by direct  obligations of, a railroad or industrial corporation, or  a  corporation  engaged  directly  and  primarily  in  the  production,  transportation,  distribution, or sale of  electricity,  or  gas,  or  the  operation  of  telephone  or telegraph systems or waterworks, or in some combination of  them; provided the obligor corporation  is  one  which  is  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the United States, or any state thereof, or of the  District of Columbia, and said obligations shall be rated at the time of  purchase within the three  highest  classifications  established  by  at  least  two  standard  rating  services.    The  maximum  amount that the  comptroller may invest in such obligations shall not exceed  thirty  per  centum  of  the  assets  of the New York state policemen's and firemen's  retirement system's funds; and provided further that not more  than  two  and  one-half per centum of the assets of the New York state policemen's  and firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of the highest classification and  subsidiary or subsidiaries thereof, that not more than two per centum of  the assets of the New York state policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of the  second  highest  classification  and  subsidiary  or  subsidiaries  thereof, that not more than one and one-half per centum of  the assets of the New York state policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of  the  third  highest  classification  and  subsidiary  or  subsidiaries  thereof.    He  shall,  however,  be subject to all terms,  conditions, limitations and restrictions imposed by this article and  by  law upon the making of such investments. The comptroller shall have full  power:    1.  To hold, purchase, sell, assign, transfer or dispose of any of the  securities or investments, in which any of the funds of the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system  shall  be  invested,  including  the  proceeds of such investments and any monies belonging to such funds, and    2. In his name as trustee, to foreclose mortgages upon default  or  to  take  title  to real property in such proceedings in lieu thereof and to  lease and sell real property so acquired.    c. The comptroller annually shall credit to each of the funds  of  the  policemen's and firemen's retirement system regular interest on the mean  amount therein for the preceding year.    d.  The  custody  of  all  funds  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement system shall be in the charge of the head of the division  of  the  treasury  of the department of taxation and finance, subject to the  supervision and control of the commissioner of taxation and finance.    e. Payment of all pensions, annuities and other benefits shall be made  as provided in this article. For the purpose  of  meeting  disbursements  for  pensions,  annuities and other payments ordered by the comptroller,  the head of such division may keep on deposit an  available  fund  which  shall not exceed ten per centum of the total amount of the several funds  of  the policemen's and firemen's retirement system.  Every such deposit  shall be kept only in a bank or trust company organized under  the  lawsof  this state, or in a national bank located in this state, which shall  furnish adequate security therefor.    f.  The  comptroller,  however,  shall  have  a  fund in his immediate  possession. Such fund shall be used for the immediate payment of:    1. All pensions, annuities and other benefits, and    2.  Such  expenses  as  may  necessarily  be  incurred  in  acquiring,  servicing  and  foreclosing  mortgages  and  in  acquiring, managing and  protecting investments, and    3. Such special expenditures for which the policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement system will be paid by the state or a participating employer.  Such  fund  shall  be  reimbursed  from time to time by the head of such  division on the warrant of the comptroller.    g. Neither the comptroller nor any person employed on the work of  the  policemen's and firemen's retirement system shall:    1.  Except  as herein provided, have any interest, direct or indirect,  in the gains or  profits  of  any  investment  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system, nor, in connection therewith, directly or  indirectly, receive any pay or emolument for his services.    2. Except as provided in section three hundred fifty of this article:    (a) Directly or indirectly, for himself or as an agent or  partner  of  others,  borrow  any  of  its funds or deposits or in any manner use the  same  except  to  make  such  current  and  necessary  payments  as  are  authorized by the comptroller, or    (b)  Become  an endorser, surety or an obligor in any manner of monies  loaned by or borrowed of such funds.    h. The policemen's and firemen's retirement system may use a  part  of  its  funds,  not  exceeding  ten  per  centum  of  its  assets,  (1) for  purchasing or leasing of land in the city of Albany and the construction  thereon of a suitable office building or buildings for  the  transaction  of  the business of the retirement system, (2) for purchasing or leasing  of land in the cities of  Albany,  Syracuse,  Buffalo,  Binghamton,  New  York,  Rochester  and  Utica  and the construction thereon of a suitable  office building or buildings for purposes of lease or sale to the state,  (3) for purchasing or leasing of land in the city of Albany on the north  and south sides of Washington avenue commonly known as the "Campus Site"  acquired by the  state  for  a  state  building  site  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  chapter five hundred seventy-two of the laws of nineteen  hundred  forty-seven  and  the  construction  thereon  of  power  plants  including  service  connections,  electric substations including service  connections,  garages,  warehouses  and  restaurant  facilities   deemed  necessary  for  the  efficient  and  economical  operation of the office  building or buildings constructed on such land and (4) for purchasing or  leasing of land in the city of Albany acquired by the state for suitable  parking facilities for the use primarily of employees of the  state  and  persons  having  business  with state departments and state agencies and  the  construction  thereon  of  such   structures,   appurtenances   and  facilities  deemed  necessary for the efficient and economical operation  of  the  parking  facilities  constructed  on  such  land  and  (5)  for  purchasing  or  leasing  of  land  in  locations  approved  by the state  university trustees and the construction,  acquisition,  reconstruction,  rehabilitation  or  improvement  of  suitable  buildings  or  facilities  thereon  for  purposes  of  lease  or  sale  to  the  state   university  construction  fund, such buildings or facilities to be used by the state  university or by state-operated institutions or  statutory  or  contract  colleges  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  state  university or by the  students, faculty and staff of the  state  university  or  of  any  such  state-operated  institution  or statutory or contract college, and their  families.The policemen's and firemen's retirement system from time to time  may  lease to any public agency any portion of a building constructed for the  transaction  of its business which may not be required for such purpose,  upon such terms and conditions as shall be deemed to  be  for  the  best  interest of the policemen's and firemen's retirement system.    Real  property  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's retirement system  acquired or constructed pursuant to this  subdivision  shall  be  exempt  from taxation.    i.  At  the  close of each fiscal year, the average rate of investment  earnings of the retirement system shall be computed by the  actuary  and  certified  to  the  comptroller.  This rate shall be determined from the  investment earnings during the calendar year which  ended  three  months  prior  to  the  close of the fiscal year. For any year that such average  rate of earnings is in excess of three per centum but not in  excess  of  four  per  centum,  the  comptroller  shall  declare  a  rate of special  interest, for members earning regular  interest  of  three  per  centum,  equal  to the difference between such average rate of earnings and three  per centum, expressed to the lower one-tenth of one per centum, but  not  in  excess  of  one per centum. For any year, commencing with the fiscal  year the first day of which is April first,  nineteen  hundred  seventy,  that  such average rate of earnings is in excess of four per centum, the  special rate of interest for members earning regular interest  of  three  per centum shall be equal to the difference between such average rate of  earnings  and  three per centum, expressed to the lower one-tenth of one  per centum, but not in excess of two per centum, and for members earning  regular interest of four per centum, it shall be the difference  between  such  average  rate  of  earnings  and four per centum, expressed to the  lower one-tenth of one per centum, but not in excess of one per  centum.  Special interest at such rates, shall be credited, by the comptroller at  the  same  time  that  regular  interest  is credited, to the individual  annuity savings accounts of persons who are members as of the  close  of  the fiscal year. Special interest shall not be considered in determining  rates of contribution of members. In the case of persons who last became  members  on  or  after  July  first, nineteen hundred seventy-three, the  provisions of this subdivision shall apply  only  to  the  fiscal  years  beginning  April  first,  nineteen  hundred seventy-two and ending March  thirty-first, nineteen hundred seventy-three.    j. The retirement system may invest, within the limitations authorized  for investments in conventional mortgages, a part of its funds in  first  mortgages on real property located anywhere within the boundaries of the  United  States  and  leased  to  the  government  of  the United States,  provided however, that no such investment shall be made unless the terms  of the mortgage shall provide for amortization  payments  in  an  amount  sufficient  to  completely  amortize  the  loan within the period of the  lease.

State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Rss > Article-8 > Title-3 > 313

§  313.  Management  of  funds.    a. The funds of the policemen's and  firemen's retirement system shall be managed  in  accordance  with  this  section.    b.  The  comptroller  shall  be  trustee  of  the several funds of the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system.  Such  funds  shall  be  invested  by  the comptroller in securities in which he is authorized by  law to invest the funds of the state,  except  that  he  may  invest  in  obligations  consisting  of  notes, bonds, debentures or equipment trust  certificates issued under an indenture, which are the direct obligations  of, or in the case of equipment trust certificates are secured by direct  obligations of, a railroad or industrial corporation, or  a  corporation  engaged  directly  and  primarily  in  the  production,  transportation,  distribution, or sale of  electricity,  or  gas,  or  the  operation  of  telephone  or telegraph systems or waterworks, or in some combination of  them; provided the obligor corporation  is  one  which  is  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the United States, or any state thereof, or of the  District of Columbia, and said obligations shall be rated at the time of  purchase within the three  highest  classifications  established  by  at  least  two  standard  rating  services.    The  maximum  amount that the  comptroller may invest in such obligations shall not exceed  thirty  per  centum  of  the  assets  of the New York state policemen's and firemen's  retirement system's funds; and provided further that not more  than  two  and  one-half per centum of the assets of the New York state policemen's  and firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of the highest classification and  subsidiary or subsidiaries thereof, that not more than two per centum of  the assets of the New York state policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of the  second  highest  classification  and  subsidiary  or  subsidiaries  thereof, that not more than one and one-half per centum of  the assets of the New York state policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system's  funds  shall  be  invested  in  the  obligations  of  any  one  corporation of  the  third  highest  classification  and  subsidiary  or  subsidiaries  thereof.    He  shall,  however,  be subject to all terms,  conditions, limitations and restrictions imposed by this article and  by  law upon the making of such investments. The comptroller shall have full  power:    1.  To hold, purchase, sell, assign, transfer or dispose of any of the  securities or investments, in which any of the funds of the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system  shall  be  invested,  including  the  proceeds of such investments and any monies belonging to such funds, and    2. In his name as trustee, to foreclose mortgages upon default  or  to  take  title  to real property in such proceedings in lieu thereof and to  lease and sell real property so acquired.    c. The comptroller annually shall credit to each of the funds  of  the  policemen's and firemen's retirement system regular interest on the mean  amount therein for the preceding year.    d.  The  custody  of  all  funds  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement system shall be in the charge of the head of the division  of  the  treasury  of the department of taxation and finance, subject to the  supervision and control of the commissioner of taxation and finance.    e. Payment of all pensions, annuities and other benefits shall be made  as provided in this article. For the purpose  of  meeting  disbursements  for  pensions,  annuities and other payments ordered by the comptroller,  the head of such division may keep on deposit an  available  fund  which  shall not exceed ten per centum of the total amount of the several funds  of  the policemen's and firemen's retirement system.  Every such deposit  shall be kept only in a bank or trust company organized under  the  lawsof  this state, or in a national bank located in this state, which shall  furnish adequate security therefor.    f.  The  comptroller,  however,  shall  have  a  fund in his immediate  possession. Such fund shall be used for the immediate payment of:    1. All pensions, annuities and other benefits, and    2.  Such  expenses  as  may  necessarily  be  incurred  in  acquiring,  servicing  and  foreclosing  mortgages  and  in  acquiring, managing and  protecting investments, and    3. Such special expenditures for which the policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement system will be paid by the state or a participating employer.  Such  fund  shall  be  reimbursed  from time to time by the head of such  division on the warrant of the comptroller.    g. Neither the comptroller nor any person employed on the work of  the  policemen's and firemen's retirement system shall:    1.  Except  as herein provided, have any interest, direct or indirect,  in the gains or  profits  of  any  investment  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's  retirement  system, nor, in connection therewith, directly or  indirectly, receive any pay or emolument for his services.    2. Except as provided in section three hundred fifty of this article:    (a) Directly or indirectly, for himself or as an agent or  partner  of  others,  borrow  any  of  its funds or deposits or in any manner use the  same  except  to  make  such  current  and  necessary  payments  as  are  authorized by the comptroller, or    (b)  Become  an endorser, surety or an obligor in any manner of monies  loaned by or borrowed of such funds.    h. The policemen's and firemen's retirement system may use a  part  of  its  funds,  not  exceeding  ten  per  centum  of  its  assets,  (1) for  purchasing or leasing of land in the city of Albany and the construction  thereon of a suitable office building or buildings for  the  transaction  of  the business of the retirement system, (2) for purchasing or leasing  of land in the cities of  Albany,  Syracuse,  Buffalo,  Binghamton,  New  York,  Rochester  and  Utica  and the construction thereon of a suitable  office building or buildings for purposes of lease or sale to the state,  (3) for purchasing or leasing of land in the city of Albany on the north  and south sides of Washington avenue commonly known as the "Campus Site"  acquired by the  state  for  a  state  building  site  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  chapter five hundred seventy-two of the laws of nineteen  hundred  forty-seven  and  the  construction  thereon  of  power  plants  including  service  connections,  electric substations including service  connections,  garages,  warehouses  and  restaurant  facilities   deemed  necessary  for  the  efficient  and  economical  operation of the office  building or buildings constructed on such land and (4) for purchasing or  leasing of land in the city of Albany acquired by the state for suitable  parking facilities for the use primarily of employees of the  state  and  persons  having  business  with state departments and state agencies and  the  construction  thereon  of  such   structures,   appurtenances   and  facilities  deemed  necessary for the efficient and economical operation  of  the  parking  facilities  constructed  on  such  land  and  (5)  for  purchasing  or  leasing  of  land  in  locations  approved  by the state  university trustees and the construction,  acquisition,  reconstruction,  rehabilitation  or  improvement  of  suitable  buildings  or  facilities  thereon  for  purposes  of  lease  or  sale  to  the  state   university  construction  fund, such buildings or facilities to be used by the state  university or by state-operated institutions or  statutory  or  contract  colleges  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  state  university or by the  students, faculty and staff of the  state  university  or  of  any  such  state-operated  institution  or statutory or contract college, and their  families.The policemen's and firemen's retirement system from time to time  may  lease to any public agency any portion of a building constructed for the  transaction  of its business which may not be required for such purpose,  upon such terms and conditions as shall be deemed to  be  for  the  best  interest of the policemen's and firemen's retirement system.    Real  property  of  the  policemen's  and  firemen's retirement system  acquired or constructed pursuant to this  subdivision  shall  be  exempt  from taxation.    i.  At  the  close of each fiscal year, the average rate of investment  earnings of the retirement system shall be computed by the  actuary  and  certified  to  the  comptroller.  This rate shall be determined from the  investment earnings during the calendar year which  ended  three  months  prior  to  the  close of the fiscal year. For any year that such average  rate of earnings is in excess of three per centum but not in  excess  of  four  per  centum,  the  comptroller  shall  declare  a  rate of special  interest, for members earning regular  interest  of  three  per  centum,  equal  to the difference between such average rate of earnings and three  per centum, expressed to the lower one-tenth of one per centum, but  not  in  excess  of  one per centum. For any year, commencing with the fiscal  year the first day of which is April first,  nineteen  hundred  seventy,  that  such average rate of earnings is in excess of four per centum, the  special rate of interest for members earning regular interest  of  three  per centum shall be equal to the difference between such average rate of  earnings  and  three per centum, expressed to the lower one-tenth of one  per centum, but not in excess of two per centum, and for members earning  regular interest of four per centum, it shall be the difference  between  such  average  rate  of  earnings  and four per centum, expressed to the  lower one-tenth of one per centum, but not in excess of one per  centum.  Special interest at such rates, shall be credited, by the comptroller at  the  same  time  that  regular  interest  is credited, to the individual  annuity savings accounts of persons who are members as of the  close  of  the fiscal year. Special interest shall not be considered in determining  rates of contribution of members. In the case of persons who last became  members  on  or  after  July  first, nineteen hundred seventy-three, the  provisions of this subdivision shall apply  only  to  the  fiscal  years  beginning  April  first,  nineteen  hundred seventy-two and ending March  thirty-first, nineteen hundred seventy-three.    j. The retirement system may invest, within the limitations authorized  for investments in conventional mortgages, a part of its funds in  first  mortgages on real property located anywhere within the boundaries of the  United  States  and  leased  to  the  government  of  the United States,  provided however, that no such investment shall be made unless the terms  of the mortgage shall provide for amortization  payments  in  an  amount  sufficient  to  completely  amortize  the  loan within the period of the  lease.