321.223  Statements of purpose and intent and other provisions required for qualification under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States.--Any other provisions in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, it is specifically provided that:

(1)  The purpose of ss. 321.15 through 321.222 is to provide pension benefits for the exclusive benefit of the member employees or their beneficiaries.

(2)  No part of the principal or income of the trust fund created hereunder shall be used or diverted for purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of the member employees or their beneficiaries and for the payment of administrative cost.

(3)  Forfeitures, if any, shall not be applied to increase the benefits any member employee would otherwise receive under ss. 321.15 through 321.222.

(4)  Upon termination or partial termination, upon discontinuance of contributions, abandonment, or merger, or upon consolidation or amendment of ss. 321.15 through 321.222, the rights of all affected employees to benefits accrued as of the date of any of the foregoing events, or the amounts credited to the account of any member employee, shall be and continue thereafter to be nonforfeitable except as otherwise provided by law.

(5)  No benefit hereunder shall exceed the maximum amount allowable by law for qualified pension plans under existing or hereafter-enacted provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States.

(6)  The provisions of this section are declaratory of the legislative intent upon the original enactment of ss. 321.15 through 321.222 and are hereby deemed to have been in effect from such date.