RCW 41.40.010 through * 41.40.112 shall apply to members of plan 1, plan 2, and plan 3.

*Reviser's note: RCW 41.40.112 was decodified August 1993.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Purpose—1989 c 272: See note following RCW 41.32.005.

As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

(1) "Accumulated contributions" means the sum of all contributions standing to the credit of a member in the member's individual account, including any amount paid under RCW 41.50.165(2), together with the regular interest thereon.

(2) "Actuarial equivalent" means a benefit of equal value when computed upon the basis of such mortality and other tables as may be adopted by the director.

(3) "Adjustment ratio" means the value of index A divided by index B.

(4) "Annual increase" means, initially, 59 cents per month per year of service which amount shall be increased each July 1st by three percent, rounded to the nearest cent.

(5) "Annuity" means payments for life derived from accumulated contributions of a member. All annuities shall be paid in monthly installments.

(6)(a) "Average final compensation" for plan 1 members, means the annual average of the greatest compensation earnable by a member during any consecutive two year period of service credit months for which service credit is allowed; or if the member has less than two years of service credit months then the annual average compensation earnable during the total years of service for which service credit is allowed.

(b) "Average final compensation" for plan 2 and plan 3 members, means the member's average compensation earnable of the highest consecutive sixty months of service credit months prior to such member's retirement, termination, or death. Periods constituting authorized leaves of absence may not be used in the calculation of average final compensation except under RCW 41.40.710(2) or (c) of this subsection.

(c) In calculating average final compensation under this subsection for a member of plan 1, 2, or 3, the department of retirement systems shall include:

(i) Any compensation forgone by the member during the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium as a result of reduced work hours, voluntary leave without pay, temporary reduction in pay implemented prior to December 11, 2010, or temporary furloughs if the reduced compensation is an integral part of the employer's expenditure reduction efforts, as certified by the employer;

(ii) Any compensation forgone by a member employed by the state or a local government during the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium as a result of reduced work hours, mandatory leave without pay, temporary layoffs, or reductions to current pay if the reduced compensation is an integral part of the employer's expenditure reduction efforts, as certified by the employer. Reductions to current pay shall not include elimination of previously agreed upon future salary increases; and

(iii) Any compensation forgone by a member during the 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 fiscal biennia as a result of reduced work hours, mandatory leave without pay, temporary layoffs, furloughs, reductions to current pay, or other similar measures resulting from the COVID-19 budgetary crisis, if the reduced compensation is an integral part of the employer's expenditure reduction efforts, as certified by the employer. Reductions to current pay shall not include elimination of previously agreed upon future salary increases.

(7)(a) "Beneficiary" for plan 1 members, means any person in receipt of a retirement allowance, pension or other benefit provided by this chapter.

(b) "Beneficiary" for plan 2 and plan 3 members, means any person in receipt of a retirement allowance or other benefit provided by this chapter resulting from service rendered to an employer by another person.

(8)(a) "Compensation earnable" for plan 1 members, means salaries or wages earned during a payroll period for personal services and where the compensation is not all paid in money, maintenance compensation shall be included upon the basis of the schedules established by the member's employer.

(i) "Compensation earnable" for plan 1 members also includes the following actual or imputed payments, which are not paid for personal services:

(A) Retroactive payments to an individual by an employer on reinstatement of the employee in a position, or payments by an employer to an individual in lieu of reinstatement in a position which are awarded or granted as the equivalent of the salary or wage which the individual would have earned during a payroll period shall be considered compensation earnable and the individual shall receive the equivalent service credit;

(B) If a leave of absence is taken by an individual for the purpose of serving in the state legislature, the salary which would have been received for the position from which the leave of absence was taken, shall be considered as compensation earnable if the employee's contribution is paid by the employee and the employer's contribution is paid by the employer or employee;

(C) Assault pay only as authorized by RCW 27.04.100, 72.01.045, and 72.09.240;

(D) Compensation that a member would have received but for a disability occurring in the line of duty only as authorized by RCW 41.40.038;

(E) Compensation that a member receives due to participation in the leave sharing program only as authorized by RCW 41.04.650 through 41.04.670; and

(F) Compensation that a member receives for being in standby status. For the purposes of this section, a member is in standby status when not being paid for time actually worked and the employer requires the member to be prepared to report immediately for work, if the need arises, although the need may not arise.

(ii) "Compensation earnable" does not include:

(A) Remuneration for unused sick leave authorized under RCW 41.04.340, 28A.400.210, or 28A.310.490;

(B) Remuneration for unused annual leave in excess of 240 hours.

(b) "Compensation earnable" for plan 2 and plan 3 members, means salaries or wages earned by a member during a payroll period for personal services, including overtime payments, and shall include wages and salaries deferred under provisions established pursuant to sections 403(b), 414(h), and 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, but shall exclude nonmoney maintenance compensation and lump sum or other payments for deferred annual sick leave, unused accumulated vacation, unused accumulated annual leave, or any form of severance pay.

"Compensation earnable" for plan 2 and plan 3 members also includes the following actual or imputed payments, which are not paid for personal services:

(i) Retroactive payments to an individual by an employer on reinstatement of the employee in a position, or payments by an employer to an individual in lieu of reinstatement in a position which are awarded or granted as the equivalent of the salary or wage which the individual would have earned during a payroll period shall be considered compensation earnable to the extent provided above, and the individual shall receive the equivalent service credit;

(ii) In any year in which a member serves in the legislature, the member shall have the option of having such member's compensation earnable be the greater of:

(A) The compensation earnable the member would have received had such member not served in the legislature; or

(B) Such member's actual compensation earnable received for nonlegislative public employment and legislative service combined. Any additional contributions to the retirement system required because compensation earnable under (b)(ii)(A) of this subsection is greater than compensation earnable under (b)(ii)(B) of this subsection shall be paid by the member for both member and employer contributions;

(iii) Assault pay only as authorized by RCW 27.04.100, 72.01.045, and 72.09.240;

(iv) Compensation that a member would have received but for a disability occurring in the line of duty only as authorized by RCW 41.40.038;

(v) Compensation that a member receives due to participation in the leave sharing program only as authorized by RCW 41.04.650 through 41.04.670; and

(vi) Compensation that a member receives for being in standby status. For the purposes of this section, a member is in standby status when not being paid for time actually worked and the employer requires the member to be prepared to report immediately for work, if the need arises, although the need may not arise.

(9) "Department" means the department of retirement systems created in chapter 41.50 RCW.

(10) "Director" means the director of the department.

(11) "Eligible position" means:

(a) Any position that, as defined by the employer, normally requires five or more months of service a year for which regular compensation for at least seventy hours is earned by the occupant thereof. For purposes of this chapter an employer shall not define "position" in such a manner that an employee's monthly work for that employer is divided into more than one position;

(b) Any position occupied by an elected official or person appointed directly by the governor, or appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court under RCW 2.04.240(2) or 2.06.150(2), for which compensation is paid.

(12) "Employee" or "employed" means a person who is providing services for compensation to an employer, unless the person is free from the employer's direction and control over the performance of work. The department shall adopt rules and interpret this subsection consistent with common law.

(13)(a) "Employer" for plan 1 members, means every branch, department, agency, commission, board, and office of the state, any political subdivision or association of political subdivisions of the state admitted into the retirement system, and legal entities authorized by RCW 35.63.070 and 36.70.060 or chapter 39.34 RCW; and the term shall also include any labor guild, association, or organization the membership of a local lodge or division of which is comprised of at least forty percent employees of an employer (other than such labor guild, association, or organization) within this chapter. The term may also include any city of the first class that has its own retirement system.

(b) "Employer" for plan 2 and plan 3 members, means every branch, department, agency, commission, board, and office of the state, and any political subdivision and municipal corporation of the state admitted into the retirement system, including public agencies created pursuant to RCW 35.63.070, 36.70.060, and 39.34.030; except that after August 31, 2000, school districts and educational service districts will no longer be employers for the public employees' retirement system plan 2.

(c) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, "employer" does not include a government contractor. For purposes of this subsection, a "government contractor" is any entity, including a partnership, limited liability company, for-profit or nonprofit corporation, or person, that provides services pursuant to a contract with an "employer." The determination whether an employer-employee relationship has been established is not based on the relationship between a government contractor and an "employer," but is based solely on the relationship between a government contractor's employee and an "employer" under this chapter.

(d) "Employer" does not include a comprehensive cancer center participating in a collaborative arrangement as defined in RCW 28B.10.930 that is operated in conformance with RCW 28B.10.930.

(14) "Final compensation" means the annual rate of compensation earnable by a member at the time of termination of employment.

(15) "Index" means, for any calendar year, that year's annual average consumer price index, Seattle, Washington area, for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items, compiled by the bureau of labor statistics, United States department of labor.

(16) "Index A" means the index for the year prior to the determination of a postretirement adjustment.

(17) "Index B" means the index for the year prior to index A.

(18) "Index year" means the earliest calendar year in which the index is more than 60 percent of index A.

(19) "Ineligible position" means any position which does not conform with the requirements set forth in subsection (11) of this section.

(20) "Leave of absence" means the period of time a member is authorized by the employer to be absent from service without being separated from membership.

(21) "Member" means any employee included in the membership of the retirement system, as provided for in RCW 41.40.023. RCW 41.26.045 does not prohibit a person otherwise eligible for membership in the retirement system from establishing such membership effective when he or she first entered an eligible position.

(22) "Member account" or "member's account" for purposes of plan 3 means the sum of the contributions and earnings on behalf of the member in the defined contribution portion of plan 3.

(23) "Membership service" means:

(a) All service rendered, as a member, after October 1, 1947;

(b) All service after October 1, 1947, to any employer prior to the time of its admission into the retirement system for which member and employer contributions, plus interest as required by RCW 41.50.125, have been paid under RCW 41.40.056 or 41.40.057;

(c) Service not to exceed six consecutive months of probationary service rendered after April 1, 1949, and prior to becoming a member, in the case of any member, upon payment in full by such member of the total amount of the employer's contribution to the retirement fund which would have been required under the law in effect when such probationary service was rendered if the member had been a member during such period, except that the amount of the employer's contribution shall be calculated by the director based on the first month's compensation earnable as a member;

(d) Service not to exceed six consecutive months of probationary service, rendered after October 1, 1947, and before April 1, 1949, and prior to becoming a member, in the case of any member, upon payment in full by such member of five percent of such member's salary during said period of probationary service, except that the amount of the employer's contribution shall be calculated by the director based on the first month's compensation earnable as a member.

(24) "New member" means a person who becomes a member on or after April 1, 1949, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(25) "Original member" of this retirement system means:

(a) Any person who became a member of the system prior to April 1, 1949;

(b) Any person who becomes a member through the admission of an employer into the retirement system on and after April 1, 1949, and prior to April 1, 1951;

(c) Any person who first becomes a member by securing employment with an employer prior to April 1, 1951, provided the member has rendered at least one or more years of service to any employer prior to October 1, 1947;

(d) Any person who first becomes a member through the admission of an employer into the retirement system on or after April 1, 1951, provided, such person has been in the regular employ of the employer for at least six months of the 12-month period preceding the said admission date;

(e) Any member who has restored all contributions that may have been withdrawn as provided by RCW 41.40.150 and who on the effective date of the individual's retirement becomes entitled to be credited with 10 years or more of membership service except that the provisions relating to the minimum amount of retirement allowance for the member upon retirement at age 70 as found in RCW 41.40.190(4) shall not apply to the member;

(f) Any member who has been a contributor under the system for two or more years and who has restored all contributions that may have been withdrawn as provided by RCW 41.40.150 and who on the effective date of the individual's retirement has rendered five or more years of service for the state or any political subdivision prior to the time of the admission of the employer into the system; except that the provisions relating to the minimum amount of retirement allowance for the member upon retirement at age 70 as found in RCW 41.40.190(4) shall not apply to the member.

(26) "Pension" means payments for life derived from contributions made by the employer. All pensions shall be paid in monthly installments.

(27) "Plan 1" means the public employees' retirement system, plan 1 providing the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first became members of the system prior to October 1, 1977.

(28) "Plan 2" means the public employees' retirement system, plan 2 providing the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who first became members of the system on and after October 1, 1977, and are not included in plan 3.

(29) "Plan 3" means the public employees' retirement system, plan 3 providing the benefits and funding provisions covering persons who:

(a) First become a member on or after:

(i) March 1, 2002, and are employed by a state agency or institute of higher education and who did not choose to enter plan 2; or

(ii) September 1, 2002, and are employed by other than a state agency or institute of higher education and who did not choose to enter plan 2; or

(b) Transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.40.795.

(30) "Prior service" means all service of an original member rendered to any employer prior to October 1, 1947.

(31) "Regular interest" means such rate as the director may determine.

(32) "Retiree" means any person who has begun accruing a retirement allowance or other benefit provided by this chapter resulting from service rendered to an employer while a member.

(33) "Retirement" means withdrawal from active service with a retirement allowance as provided by this chapter.

(34) "Retirement allowance" means the sum of the annuity and the pension.

(35) "Retirement system" means the public employees' retirement system provided for in this chapter.

(36) "Separation from service" occurs when a person has terminated all employment with an employer. Separation from service or employment does not occur, and if claimed by an employer or employee may be a violation of RCW 41.40.055, when an employee and employer have a written or oral agreement to resume employment with the same employer following termination. Mere expressions or inquiries about postretirement employment by an employer or employee that do not constitute a commitment to reemploy the employee after retirement are not an agreement under this subsection.

(37)(a) "Service" for plan 1 members, except as provided in RCW 41.40.088, means periods of employment in an eligible position or positions for one or more employers rendered to any employer for which compensation is paid, and includes time spent in office as an elected or appointed official of an employer. Compensation earnable earned in full time work for 70 hours or more in any given calendar month shall constitute one service credit month except as provided in RCW 41.40.088. Compensation earnable earned for less than 70 hours in any calendar month shall constitute one-quarter service credit month of service except as provided in RCW 41.40.088. Only service credit months and one-quarter service credit months shall be counted in the computation of any retirement allowance or other benefit provided for in this chapter. Any fraction of a year of service shall be taken into account in the computation of such retirement allowance or benefits. Time spent in standby status, whether compensated or not, is not service.

(i) Service by a state employee officially assigned by the state on a temporary basis to assist another public agency, shall be considered as service as a state employee: PROVIDED, That service to any other public agency shall not be considered service as a state employee if such service has been used to establish benefits in any other public retirement system.

(ii) An individual shall receive no more than a total of 12 service credit months of service during any calendar year. If an individual is employed in an eligible position by one or more employers the individual shall receive no more than one service credit month during any calendar month in which multiple service for seventy or more hours is rendered.

(iii) A school district employee may count up to 45 days of sick leave as creditable service solely for the purpose of determining eligibility to retire under RCW 41.40.180 as authorized by RCW 28A.400.300. For purposes of plan 1 "forty-five days" as used in RCW 28A.400.300 is equal to two service credit months. Use of less than 45 days of sick leave is creditable as allowed under this subsection as follows:

(A) Less than 22 days equals one-quarter service credit month;

(B) 22 days equals one service credit month;

(C) More than 22 days but less than 45 days equals one and one-quarter service credit month.

(iv) Reduction efforts such as furloughs, reduced work hours, mandatory leave without pay, temporary layoffs, or other similar situations as contemplated by subsection (6)(c)(iii) of this section do not result in a reduction in service credit that otherwise would have been earned for that month of work, and the member shall receive the full service credit for the hours that were scheduled to be worked before the reduction.

(b) "Service" for plan 2 and plan 3 members, means periods of employment by a member in an eligible position or positions for one or more employers for which compensation earnable is paid. Compensation earnable earned for 90 or more hours in any calendar month shall constitute one service credit month except as provided in RCW 41.40.088. Compensation earnable earned for at least 70 hours but less than 90 hours in any calendar month shall constitute one-half service credit month of service. Compensation earnable earned for less than 70 hours in any calendar month shall constitute one-quarter service credit month of service. Time spent in standby status, whether compensated or not, is not service.

Any fraction of a year of service shall be taken into account in the computation of such retirement allowance or benefits.

(i) Service in any state elective position shall be deemed to be full time service, except that persons serving in state elective positions who are members of the Washington school employees' retirement system, teachers' retirement system, public safety employees' retirement system, or law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system at the time of election or appointment to such position may elect to continue membership in the Washington school employees' retirement system, teachers' retirement system, public safety employees' retirement system, or law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system.

(ii) A member shall receive a total of not more than 12 service credit months of service for such calendar year. If an individual is employed in an eligible position by one or more employers the individual shall receive no more than one service credit month during any calendar month in which multiple service for ninety or more hours is rendered.

(iii) Up to 45 days of sick leave may be creditable as service solely for the purpose of determining eligibility to retire under RCW 41.40.180 as authorized by RCW 28A.400.300. For purposes of plan 2 and plan 3 "forty-five days" as used in RCW 28A.400.300 is equal to two service credit months. Use of less than 45 days of sick leave is creditable as allowed under this subsection as follows:

(A) Less than 11 days equals one-quarter service credit month;

(B) 11 or more days but less than 22 days equals one-half service credit month;

(C) 22 days equals one service credit month;

(D) More than 22 days but less than 33 days equals one and one-quarter service credit month;

(E) 33 or more days but less than 45 days equals one and one-half service credit month.

(iv) Reduction efforts such as furloughs, reduced work hours, mandatory leave without pay, temporary layoffs, or other similar situations as contemplated by subsection (6)(c)(iii) of this section do not result in a reduction in service credit that otherwise would have been earned for that month of work, and the member shall receive the full service credit for the hours that were scheduled to be worked before the reduction.

(38) "Service credit month" means a month or an accumulation of months of service credit which is equal to one.

(39) "Service credit year" means an accumulation of months of service credit which is equal to one when divided by twelve.

(40) "State actuary" or "actuary" means the person appointed pursuant to RCW 44.44.010(2).

(41) "State elective position" means any position held by any person elected or appointed to statewide office or elected or appointed as a member of the legislature.

(42) "State treasurer" means the treasurer of the state of Washington.

(43) "Totally incapacitated for duty" means total inability to perform the duties of a member's employment or office or any other work for which the member is qualified by training or experience.

Findings—Intent—2022 c 71: See note following RCW 28B.10.930.

Retroactive application—2021 c 12: See note following RCW 41.26.030.

Purpose—Application—2012 c 236: See note following RCW 41.26.030.

Effective date—2011 1st sp.s. c 5: See note following RCW 41.26.030.

Effective date—2010 2nd sp.s. c 1: See note following RCW 38.52.105.

Effective date—2004 c 242: See RCW 41.37.901.

Effective date—1998 c 341: See RCW 41.35.901.

Intent—Construction—Application—1997 c 254: See notes following RCW 41.26.490.

Intent—Effective date—1995 c 345: See notes following RCW 41.32.489.

Intent—1994 c 298: "(1) This act provides cross-references to existing statutes that affect calculation of pensions under the retirement systems authorized by chapters 41.40 and 41.32 RCW to the relevant definition sections of those chapters. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, this act is technical in nature and neither enhances nor diminishes existing pension rights. Except for the amendment to RCW 41.40.010(5), it is not the intent of the legislature to change the substance or effect of any statute previously enacted. Rather, this act provides cross-references to applicable statutes in order to aid with the administration of benefits authorized in chapters 41.40 and 41.32 RCW.

(2) The amendments to RCW 41.40.010 (5) and (29) contained in section 2, chapter 298, Laws of 1994, and to RCW 41.32.010(31) contained in section 3, chapter 298, Laws of 1994, clarify the status of certain persons as either members or retirees. RCW 41.04.275 and section 7, chapter 298, Laws of 1994, create the pension funding account in the state treasury and direct the transfer of moneys deposited in the budget stabilization account by the 1993-95 operating appropriations act, section 919, chapter 24, Laws of 1993 sp. sess., for the continuing costs of state retirement system benefits in effect on July 1, 1993, consistent with section 919, chapter 24, Laws of 1993 sp. sess. to the pension funding account." [ 1994 c 298 s 1.]

Effective date—1994 c 247: See note following RCW 41.32.4991.

Intent—Severability—Effective date—1994 c 197: See notes following RCW 41.50.165.

Findings—1994 c 177: See note following RCW 41.50.125.

Retroactive application—Effective date—1993 c 95: See notes following RCW 41.40.175.

Findings—Effective dates—1991 c 343: See notes following RCW 41.50.005.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Findings—Effective date—Construction—1990 c 274: See notes following RCW 41.32.010.

Purpose—Application—Retrospective application—1985 c 13:See notes following RCW 41.04.445.

Applicability—1983 c 69 s 1: "Section 1 of this 1983 act applies only to service credit accruing after July 24, 1983." [ 1983 c 69 s 3.]

Purpose—Severability—1981 c 256: See notes following RCW 41.26.030.

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: "If any provision of this 1973 act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1973 1st ex.s. c 190 s 16.]

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 271: See note following RCW 41.32.260.

Severability—1969 c 128: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1969 c 128 s 19.]

Severability—1965 c 155: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1965 c 155 s 10.]

Severability—1963 c 174: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1963 c 174 s 19.]

Severability—1961 c 291: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1961 c 291 s 18.]

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.

Effective dates—2009 c 521 ss 5-8, 79, 87-103, 107, 151, 165, 166, 173-175, and 190-192: See note following RCW 2.10.900.

A state employees' retirement system is hereby created for the employees of the state of Washington and its political subdivisions. The administration and management of the retirement system, the responsibility for making effective the provisions of this chapter, and the authority to make all rules and regulations necessary therefor are hereby vested in the department. All such rules and regulations shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW, as now or hereafter amended. The retirement system herein provided for shall be known as the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Membership in the retirement system shall consist of all regularly compensated employees and appointive and elective officials of employers, as defined in this chapter, with the following exceptions:

(1) Persons in ineligible positions;

(2) Employees of the legislature except the officers thereof elected by the members of the senate and the house and legislative committees, unless membership of such employees be authorized by the said committee;

(3)(a) Persons holding elective offices or persons appointed directly by the governor: PROVIDED, That such persons shall have the option of applying for membership during such periods of employment: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That any persons holding or who have held elective offices or persons appointed by the governor who are members in the retirement system and who have, prior to becoming such members, previously held an elective office, and did not at the start of such initial or successive terms of office exercise their option to become members, may apply for membership to be effective during such term or terms of office, and shall be allowed to establish the service credit applicable to such term or terms of office upon payment of the employee contributions therefor by the employee with interest as determined by the director and employer contributions therefor by the employer or employee with interest as determined by the director: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That all contributions with interest submitted by the employee under this subsection shall be placed in the employee's individual account in the employee's savings fund and be treated as any other contribution made by the employee, with the exception that any contributions submitted by the employee in payment of the employer's obligation, together with the interest the director may apply to the employer's contribution, shall not be considered part of the member's annuity for any purpose except withdrawal of contributions;

(b) A member holding elective office who has elected to apply for membership pursuant to (a) of this subsection and who later wishes to be eligible for a retirement allowance shall have the option of ending his or her membership in the retirement system. A member wishing to end his or her membership under this subsection must file, on a form supplied by the department, a statement indicating that the member agrees to irrevocably abandon any claim for service for future periods served as an elected official. A member who receives more than fifteen thousand dollars per year in compensation for his or her elective service, adjusted annually for inflation by the director, is not eligible for the option provided by this subsection (3)(b);

(4) Employees holding membership in, or receiving pension benefits under, any retirement plan operated wholly or in part by an agency of the state or political subdivision thereof, or who are by reason of their current employment contributing to or otherwise establishing the right to receive benefits from any such retirement plan except as follows:

(a) In any case where the retirement system has in existence an agreement with another retirement system in connection with exchange of service credit or an agreement whereby members can retain service credit in more than one system, such an employee shall be allowed membership rights should the agreement so provide;

(b) An employee shall be allowed membership if otherwise eligible while receiving survivor's benefits;

(c) An employee shall not either before or after June 7, 1984, be excluded from membership or denied service credit pursuant to this subsection solely on account of: (i) Membership in the plan created under chapter 2.14 RCW; or (ii) enrollment under the relief and compensation provisions or the pension provisions of the volunteer firefighters' relief and pension principal fund or the reserve officers' relief and pension principal fund under chapter 41.24 RCW;

(d) Except as provided in RCW 41.40.109, on or after July 25, 1999, an employee shall not be excluded from membership or denied service credit pursuant to this subsection solely on account of participation in a defined contribution pension plan qualified under section 401 of the internal revenue code;

(e) Employees who have been reported in the retirement system prior to July 25, 1999, and who participated during the same period of time in a defined contribution pension plan qualified under section 401 of the internal revenue code and operated wholly or in part by the employer, shall not be excluded from previous retirement system membership and service credit on account of such participation;

(5) Patient and inmate help in state charitable, penal, and correctional institutions;

(6) "Members" of a state veterans' home or state soldiers' home;

(7) Persons employed by an institution of higher learning or community college, primarily as an incident to and in furtherance of their education or training, or the education or training of a spouse;

(8) Employees of an institution of higher learning or community college during the period of service necessary to establish eligibility for membership in the retirement plans operated by such institutions;

(9) Persons rendering professional services to an employer on a fee, retainer, or contract basis or when the income from these services is less than fifty percent of the gross income received from the person's practice of a profession;

(10) Persons appointed after April 1, 1963, by the liquor and cannabis board as contract liquor store managers;

(11) Employees of a labor guild, association, or organization: PROVIDED, That elective officials and employees of a labor guild, association, or organization which qualifies as an employer within this chapter shall have the option of applying for membership;

(12) Retirement system retirees: PROVIDED, That following reemployment in an eligible position, a retiree may elect to prospectively become a member of the retirement system if otherwise eligible;

(13) Persons employed by or appointed or elected as an official of a first-class city that has its own retirement system: PROVIDED, That any member elected or appointed to an elective office on or after April 1, 1971, shall have the option of continuing as a member of this system in lieu of becoming a member of the city system. A member who elects to continue as a member of this system shall pay the appropriate member contributions and the city shall pay the employer contributions at the rates prescribed by this chapter. The city shall also transfer to this system all of such member's accumulated contributions together with such further amounts as necessary to equal all employee and employer contributions which would have been paid into this system on account of such service with the city and thereupon the member shall be granted credit for all such service. Any city that becomes an employer as defined in RCW 41.40.010(13) as the result of an individual's election under this subsection shall not be required to have all employees covered for retirement under the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a city of the first class with its own retirement system from: (a) Transferring all of its current employees to the retirement system established under this chapter, or (b) allowing newly hired employees the option of continuing coverage under the retirement system established by this chapter.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, persons transferring from employment with a first-class city of over four hundred thousand population that has its own retirement system to employment with the state department of agriculture may elect to remain within the retirement system of such city and the state shall pay the employer contributions for such persons at like rates as prescribed for employers of other members of such system;

(14) Employees who (a) are not citizens of the United States, (b) do not reside in the United States, and (c) perform duties outside of the United States;

(15) Employees who (a) are not citizens of the United States, (b) are not covered by chapter 41.48 RCW, (c) are not excluded from membership under this chapter or chapter 41.04 RCW, (d) are residents of this state, and (e) make an irrevocable election to be excluded from membership, in writing, which is submitted to the director within thirty days after employment in an eligible position;

(16) Employees who are citizens of the United States and who reside and perform duties for an employer outside of the United States: PROVIDED, That unless otherwise excluded under this chapter or chapter 41.04 RCW, the employee may apply for membership (a) within thirty days after employment in an eligible position and membership service credit shall be granted from the first day of membership service, and (b) after this thirty-day period, but membership service credit shall be granted only if payment is made for the noncredited membership service under RCW 41.50.165(2), otherwise service shall be from the date of application;

(17) The city manager or chief administrative officer of a city or town, other than a retiree, who serves at the pleasure of an appointing authority: PROVIDED, That such persons shall have the option of applying for membership within thirty days from date of their appointment to such positions. Persons serving in such positions as of April 4, 1986, shall continue to be members in the retirement system unless they notify the director in writing prior to December 31, 1986, of their desire to withdraw from membership in the retirement system. A member who withdraws from membership in the system under this section shall receive a refund of the member's accumulated contributions.

Persons serving in such positions who have not opted for membership within the specified thirty days, may do so by paying the amount required under RCW 41.50.165(2) for the period from the date of their appointment to the date of acceptance into membership;

(18) Persons serving as: (a) The chief administrative officer of a public utility district as defined in RCW 54.16.100; (b) the chief administrative officer of a port district formed under chapter 53.04 RCW; or (c) the chief administrative officer of a county who serves at the pleasure of an appointing authority: PROVIDED, That such persons shall have the option of applying for membership within thirty days from the date of their appointment to such positions. Persons serving in such positions as of July 25, 1999, shall continue to be members in the retirement system unless they notify the director in writing prior to December 31, 1999, of their desire to withdraw from membership in the retirement system. A member who withdraws from membership in the system under this section shall receive a refund of the member's accumulated contributions upon termination of employment or as otherwise consistent with the plan's tax qualification status as defined in internal revenue code section 401.

Persons serving in such positions who have not opted for membership within the specified thirty days, may do so at a later date by paying the amount required under RCW 41.50.165(2) for the period from the date of their appointment to the date of acceptance into membership;

(19) Persons enrolled in state-approved apprenticeship programs, authorized under chapter 49.04 RCW, and who are employed by local governments to earn hours to complete such apprenticeship programs, if the employee is a member of a union-sponsored retirement plan and is making contributions to such a retirement plan or if the employee is a member of a Taft-Hartley retirement plan;

(20) Beginning on July 22, 2001, persons employed exclusively as trainers or trainees in resident apprentice training programs operated by housing authorities authorized under chapter 35.82 RCW, (a) if the trainer or trainee is a member of a union-sponsored retirement plan and is making contributions to such a retirement plan or (b) if the employee is a member of a Taft-Hartley retirement plan;

(21) Employees who are removed from membership under RCW 41.40.823 or 41.40.633;

(22) Persons employed as the state director of fire protection under RCW 43.43.938 who were previously members of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2 under chapter 41.26 RCW may continue as a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system in lieu of becoming a member of this system; and

(23) Persons hired on or after June 6, 2024, employed by a public transportation benefit area as defined in RCW 36.57A.010 as part-time bus drivers serving naval shipyards if the employee is simultaneously employed on a full-time basis with an employer of the federal government and is making contributions to the federal employees' retirement system.

Effective date—2010 c 80: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 17, 2010]." [ 2010 c 80 s 2.]

Effective date—2005 c 131: See note following RCW 41.40.823.

Intent—1999 c 286: "It is the intent of the legislature that retirement benefits represent a valuable element of the total compensation and benefits employees receive for their service. The value of these benefits is contained in the retirement income and cost-of-living adjustments provided to employees who remain in public service until retirement. For the majority of public employees, this requires membership in the public employees' retirement system.

The legislature recognizes, however, that certain occupations display a pattern of interstate mobility which requires retirement benefits which are highly portable. Incumbents in these occupations gain little value from membership in the public employees' retirement system. In order to remove any barrier to employing qualified personnel in positions with high mobility, membership in the retirement system should be optional in those occupations." [ 1999 c 286 s 1.]

Intent—Construction—Application—1997 c 254: See notes following RCW 41.26.490.

Intent—1994 c 298: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Intent—Severability—Effective date—1994 c 197: See notes following RCW 41.50.165.

Findings—Construction—1990 c 274: See notes following RCW 41.32.010.

Effective date—1988 c 109: See note following RCW 2.10.030.

Legislative findings—Intent—Severability—1986 c 317: See notes following RCW 41.40.150.

Severability—1984 c 184: See note following RCW 41.50.150.

Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 52: See note following RCW 2.10.180.

Severability—1975 c 33: See note following RCW 35.21.780.

Severability—1974 ex.s. c 195: "If any provision of this 1974 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1974 ex.s. c 195 s 14.]

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 271: See note following RCW 41.32.260.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Pension benefits or annuity benefits for certain classifications of school district employees: RCW 28A.400.260.

This section designates charter schools established under chapter 28A.710 RCW as employers and charter school employees as members, and applies only if the department of retirement systems receives determinations from the internal revenue service and the United States department of labor that participation does not jeopardize the status of these retirement systems as governmental plans under the federal employees' retirement income security act and the internal revenue code.

Effective date—2016 c 241: See RCW 28A.710.901.

Any person who has been employed in a nonelective position for at least nine months and who has made member contributions required under this chapter throughout such period, shall be deemed to have been in an eligible position during such period of employment.

(1) A member eligible to retire under RCW 41.40.180, 41.40.630, or 41.40.820 may, at the time of filing a written application for retirement with the department, apply to the department to make a one-time purchase of up to five years of additional service credit.

(2) To purchase additional service credit under this section, a member shall pay the actuarial equivalent value of the resulting increase in the member's benefit.

(3) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member purchasing additional service credit under this section may pay all or part of the cost with a lump sum payment, eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan. The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all lump sum payments, rollovers, and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.

(4) Additional service credit purchased under this section is not membership service and shall be used exclusively to provide the member with a monthly annuity that is paid in addition to the member's retirement allowance.

Effective date—2006 c 214: "This act takes effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 214 s 8.]

(1) No person appointed to membership on any committee, board, or commission on or after July 1, 1976, who is compensated for service on such committee, board, or commission for fewer than ten days or seventy hours in any month, whichever amount is less, shall receive service credit for such service for that month: PROVIDED, That on and after October 1, 1977, appointive and elective officials who receive monthly compensation earnable from an employer in an amount equal to or less than ninety times the state minimum hourly wage shall not receive any service credit for such employment.

(2) No person appointed on or after June 9, 2022, to membership on any committee, board, or commission described in RCW 43.03.220 may receive service credit for service on such committee, board, or commission due to the payment of a stipend or allowance as authorized under RCW 43.03.220.

(3) This section does not apply to any person serving on a committee, board, or commission on June 30, 1976, who continued such service until subsequently appointed by the governor to a different committee, board, or commission.

Findings—2022 c 245: See note following RCW 43.03.220.

Effective date—Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34: See notes following RCW 2.08.115.

(1)(a) If a retiree enters employment with an employer sooner than one calendar month after his or her accrual date, the retiree's monthly retirement allowance will be reduced by five and one-half percent for every eight hours worked during that month. This reduction will be applied each month until the retiree remains absent from employment with an employer for one full calendar month.

(b) The benefit reduction provided in (a) of this subsection will accrue for a maximum of one hundred sixty hours per month. Any benefit reduction over one hundred percent will be applied to the benefit the retiree is eligible to receive in subsequent months.

(2)(a) A retiree from plan 1, plan 2, or plan 3 who has satisfied the break in employment requirement of subsection (1) of this section may work up to eight hundred sixty-seven hours per calendar year in an eligible position, as defined in RCW 41.32.010, 41.35.010, 41.37.010, or 41.40.010, or as a firefighter or law enforcement officer, as defined in RCW 41.26.030, or in a position covered by annuity and retirement income plans offered by institutions of higher education pursuant to RCW 28B.10.400, without suspension of his or her benefit.

(b) Between March 23, 2022, and July 1, 2025, a retiree, including a retiree who has retired under the alternate early retirement provisions of RCW 41.40.630(3)(b) or 41.40.820(3)(b), who reenters employment more than 100 days after his or her accrual date, and who enters service in a school district in a nonadministrative position shall continue to receive pension payments while engaged in such service, until the retiree has rendered service for more than 1,040 hours in a calendar year.

(c) Between April 14, 2023, and July 1, 2026, a retiree, including a retiree who has retired under the alternate early retirement provisions of RCW 41.40.630(3)(b) or 41.40.820(3)(b), and who enters service in a nonadministrative position as a licensed nurse for a state agency, shall continue to receive pension payments while engaged in such service, until the retiree has rendered service for more than 1,040 hours in a calendar year.

(3) If the retiree opts to reestablish membership under RCW 41.40.023(12), he or she terminates his or her retirement status and becomes a member. Retirement benefits shall not accrue during the period of membership and the individual shall make contributions and receive membership credit. Such a member shall have the right to again retire if eligible in accordance with RCW 41.40.180. However, if the right to retire is exercised to become effective before the member has rendered two uninterrupted years of service, the retirement formula and survivor options the member had at the time of the member's previous retirement shall be reinstated.

(4) The department shall collect and provide the state actuary with information relevant to the use of this section for the select committee on pension policy.

(5) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to be employed for more than five months in a calendar year without a reduction of his or her pension.

Effective date—2023 c 99: See note following RCW 41.37.050.

Effective date—2022 c 110: See note following RCW 41.32.570.

Intent—Effective dates—2011 1st sp.s. c 47: See notes following RCW 28B.10.400.

Findings—Intent—Part headings—Effective dates—2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020.

Effective date—2004 c 242: See RCW 41.37.901.

Effective dates—2001 2nd sp.s. c 10: "Except for section 12 of this act which takes effect December 31, 2004, this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2001." [ 2001 2nd sp.s. c 10 s 14.]

Intent—Construction—Application—1997 c 254: See notes following RCW 41.26.490.

Those members subject to this chapter who became disabled in the line of duty on or after March 27, 1984, and who received or are receiving benefits under Title 51 RCW or a similar federal workers' compensation program shall receive or continue to receive service credit subject to the following:

(1) No member may receive more than one month's service credit in a calendar month.

(2) No service credit under this section may be allowed after a member separates or is separated without leave of absence.

(3) Employer contributions shall be paid by the employer at the rate in effect for the period of the service credited.

(4) Employee contributions shall be collected by the employer and paid to the department at the rate in effect for the period of service credited.

(5) Contributions shall be based on the regular compensation which the member would have received had the disability not occurred. If contribution payments are made retroactively, interest shall be charged at the rate set by the director on both employee and employer contributions. No service credit shall be granted until the employee contribution has been paid.

(6) The service and compensation credit shall not be granted for a period to exceed twenty-four consecutive months.

(7) Nothing in this section shall abridge service credit rights granted in RCW 41.40.220(2) and 41.40.320.

(8) Should the legislature revoke the service credit authorized under this section or repeal this section, no affected employee is entitled to receive the credit as a matter of contractual right.

The deductions from the compensation of members, provided for in RCW 41.40.330, 41.45.060, 41.45.061, or 41.45.067, shall be made notwithstanding that the minimum compensation provided for by law for any member shall be reduced thereby. Every member shall be deemed to consent and agree to the deductions made and provided for in this chapter and receipt in full for his or her salary or compensation, and payment less the deductions shall be a full and complete discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands whatsoever for the services rendered by the person during the period covered by the payment, except as to benefits provided for under this chapter.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

(1) The director shall report to each employer the contribution rates required for the ensuing biennium or fiscal year, whichever is applicable.

(2) Beginning September 1, 1990, the amount to be collected as the employer's contribution shall be computed by applying the applicable rates established in chapter 41.45 RCW to the total compensation earnable of employer's members as shown on the current payrolls of the said employer. In addition, the director shall determine and collect the additional employer contribution rate necessary to fund the benefits granted officials holding office pursuant to Articles II and III of the Constitution of the state of Washington and RCW 48.02.010. Each said employer shall compute at the end of each month the amount due for that month and the same shall be paid as are its other obligations. Effective January 1, 1987, however, no contributions are required for any calendar month in which the member is not granted service credit.

(3) In the event of failure, for any reason, of an employer other than a political subdivision of the state to have remitted amounts due for membership service of any of the employer's members rendered during a prior biennium, the director shall bill such employer for such employer's contribution together with such charges as the director deems appropriate in accordance with RCW 41.50.120. Such billing shall be paid by the employer as, and the same shall be, a proper charge against any moneys available or appropriated to such employer for payment of current biennial payrolls.

Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 52: See note following RCW 2.10.180.

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of a person to a pension, an annuity, or retirement allowance, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, the various funds created by this chapter, and all moneys and investments and income thereof, are hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or other process of law whatsoever, whether the same be in actual possession of the person or be deposited or loaned and shall be unassignable.

(2)(a) This section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of public employees of the state of Washington or its political subdivisions and which has been approved for deduction in accordance with rules that may be adopted by the state health care authority and/or the department, and this section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of dues and other membership fees to any retirement association or organization the membership of which is composed of retired public employees, if a total of three hundred or more of such retired employees have authorized such deduction for payment to the same retirement association or organization.

(b) This section does not prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions from that allowance for charitable purposes on the same terms as employees and public officers under RCW 41.04.035 and 41.04.036.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to *RCW 26.23.060, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued by the department, (e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

*Reviser's note: RCW 26.23.060 was amended by 2021 c 35 s 15, changing "notice of payroll deduction" to "income withholding order."

Severability—1991 c 365: See note following RCW 41.50.500.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Implementation—Effective dates—1988 c 107: See RCW 41.05.901.

Effective date—1987 c 326: See RCW 41.50.901.

Severability—1981 c 294: See note following RCW 41.26.115.

Severability—1974 ex.s. c 195: See note following RCW 41.40.023.

A member shall not receive a disability retirement benefit under RCW 41.40.200, 41.40.220, 41.40.230, 41.40.235, 41.40.250, 41.40.670, or 41.40.825 if the disability is the result of criminal conduct by the member committed after April 21, 1997.

Severability—Effective date—1997 c 103: See notes following RCW 41.26.061.

Any person who shall knowingly make any false statements, or shall falsify or permit to be falsified any record or records of this retirement system in any attempt to defraud the retirement system as a result of such act, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Except as qualified by RCW 41.40.023, for employers that were admitted into the retirement system before July 23, 1995, membership service may be established for the employer's former employees who are active members of the system if the member or member's former employer pays an amount equal to the employer and member contributions which would have been paid to the retirement system on account of such service to the retirement system. Payment shall be made prior to the retirement of such member.

Payments submitted by the member under this section shall be placed in the member's individual account in the members' savings fund and be treated as any other contribution made by the member, with the exception that the contributions submitted by the member in payment of the employer's obligation, together with the interest the director may apply to the employer's contribution, shall be excluded from the calculation of the member's annuity in the event the member selects a benefit with an annuity option.

(1) This section applies to the establishment of membership service with employers admitted to the retirement system after July 23, 1995.

(2) For current employees, membership service may be established for periods of employment with an employer prior to the employer's admission into the retirement system by making the payments required by this section.

The employer must select one of the options in this subsection and apply it uniformly, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section. The required payment shall include the total member and employer contributions that would have been required from the date of each current member's hire.

(a) Option A: The employer makes all the required payments within fifteen years from the date of the employer's admission.

(b) Option B: The employer makes a portion of the required payments and the member pays the balance. The employer shall not be required to make its payments until the member has made his or her payments. Each member shall have the option to purchase the membership service.

(c) Option C: The member makes all of the required payments. Each member shall have the option to purchase the membership service.

All payments under options B and C of this subsection must be completed within five years from the date of the employer's admission, or prior to the retirement of the member, whichever occurs sooner. A member may not receive membership service credit under option B or C of this subsection until all required payments have been made.

(3) An employer shall not be required to purchase membership service under option A or B for periods of employment for which the employer made contributions to a qualified retirement plan as defined by 26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a), if the contributions plus interest accrued cannot be transferred to the retirement system. If the employer does not purchase the membership credit under this subsection, the member may purchase the membership service under subsection (2)(c) of this section.

(4) A former employee who is an active member of the system and is not covered by subsection (2) of this section may establish membership service by making the required payments under subsection (2)(c) of this section prior to the retirement of the member.

(5) All payments made by the member under this section shall be placed in the member's individual account in the members' savings fund or the member's account for those members entering plan 3.

(1) Any person who was a member of the statewide city employees' retirement system governed by chapter 41.44 RCW and who also became a member of this retirement system on or before July 26, 1987, may, in a writing filed with the director, elect to:

(a) Transfer to this retirement system all service currently credited under chapter 41.44 RCW;

(b) Reestablish and transfer to this retirement system all service which was previously credited under chapter 41.44 RCW but which was canceled by discontinuance of service and withdrawal of accumulated contributions as provided in RCW 41.44.190. The service may be reestablished and transferred only upon payment by the member to the employees' savings fund of this retirement system of the amount withdrawn plus interest thereon from the date of withdrawal until the date of payment at a rate determined by the director. No additional payments are required for service credit described in this subsection if already established under this chapter; and

(c) Establish service credit for the initial period of employment not to exceed six months, prior to establishing membership under chapter 41.44 RCW, upon payment in full by the member of the total employer's contribution to the benefit account fund of this retirement system that would have been made under this chapter when the initial service was rendered. The payment shall be based on the first month's compensation earnable as a member of the statewide city employees' retirement system and as defined in *RCW 41.44.030(13). However, a person who has established service credit under **RCW 41.40.010(13) (c) or (d) shall not establish additional credit under this subsection nor may anyone who establishes credit under this subsection establish any additional credit under **RCW 41.40.010(13) (c) or (d). No additional payments are required for service credit described in this subsection if already established under this chapter.

(2)(a) In the case of a member of this retirement system who is employed by an employer on July 26, 1987, the written election required by subsection (1) of this section must be filed and the payments required by subsection (1)(b) and (c) of this section must be completed in full within one year after July 26, 1987.

(b) In the case of a former member of this retirement system who is not employed by an employer on July 26, 1987, the written election must be filed and the payments must be completed in full within one year after reemployment by an employer.

(c) In the case of a retiree receiving a retirement allowance from this retirement system on July 26, 1987, or any person having vested rights as described in RCW 41.40.150 (4), the written election may be filed and the payments may be completed at any time.

(3) Upon receipt of the written election and payments required by subsection (1) of this section from any retiree described in subsection (2) of this section, the department shall recompute the retiree's allowance in accordance with this section and shall pay any additional benefit resulting from such recomputation retroactively to the date of retirement from the system governed by this chapter.

(4) Any person who was a member of the statewide city employees' retirement system under chapter 41.44 RCW and also became a member of this retirement system, and did not make the election under subsection (1) of this section because he or she was not a member of this retirement system prior to July 27, 1987, or did not meet the time limitations of subsection (2) (a) or (b) of this section, may elect to do any of the following:

(a) Transfer to this retirement system all service currently credited under chapter 41.44 RCW;

(b) Reestablish and transfer to this retirement system all service that was previously credited under chapter 41.44 RCW but was canceled by discontinuance of service and withdrawal of accumulated contributions as provided in RCW 41.44.190; and

(c) Establish service credit for the initial period of employment not to exceed six months, prior to establishing membership under chapter 41.44 RCW.

To make the election or elections, the person must pay the amount required under RCW 41.50.165(2) prior to retirement from this retirement system.

Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 41.44.030 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsection (13) to subsection (10).

**(2) RCW 41.40.010 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsection (13) to subsection (23).

Intent—Severability—Effective date—1994 c 197: See notes following RCW 41.50.165.

Severability—1984 c 184: See note following RCW 41.50.150.

Any active member of this retirement system who has previously established ten or more years' service credit in the city of Seattle's police relief and pension fund system, who withdrew his or her contributions from Seattle's police relief and pension fund system prior to July 1, 1961, and who has never been a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' pension system created in chapter 41.26 RCW, may receive credit in this retirement system for such service, subject to the terms and conditions specified in RCW 41.40.061.

(1) A member who fulfills the requirements of RCW 41.40.059 may file a written declaration no later than September 30, 1992, with the department and the Seattle police relief and pension fund system indicating the member's desire to make an irrevocable transfer of credit from the Seattle system to this retirement system. The member shall restore his or her contributions, with interest since the date of withdrawal as determined by the director, no later than December 31, 1992.

(2) Upon receipt of the written declaration, the Seattle police relief and pension fund system shall send the department a report of the member's service credit. It shall also transfer to the department the portion of such member's contributions that was retained in the Seattle police relief and pension fund pursuant to RCW 41.20.150, plus a sum equal to such member's total contributions to the Seattle police relief and pension fund, which shall be treated as matching contributions by the employer, plus the compound interest that would have been generated by such sums, as determined by the Seattle city treasurer. The Seattle police relief and pension fund system shall send the service credit report and transfer the funds within ninety days of receiving the member's written declaration.

(1) The members and appointive and elective officials of any political subdivision or association of political subdivisions of the state may become members of the retirement system by the approval of the local legislative authority.

(2) On and after September 1, 1965, every school district of the state of Washington shall be an employer under this chapter. Every member of each school district who is eligible for membership under RCW 41.40.023 shall be a member of the retirement system and participate on the same basis as a person who first becomes a member through the admission of any employer into the retirement system on and after April 1, 1949, except that after August 31, 2000, school districts will no longer be employers for the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3.

Effective date—1998 c 341: See RCW 41.35.901.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 271: See note following RCW 41.32.260.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Any person aggrieved by any decision of the department affecting his or her legal rights, duties, or privileges must before he or she appeals to the courts, file with the director by mail or personally within sixty days from the day the decision was communicated to the person, a notice for a hearing before the director's designee. The notice of hearing shall set forth in full detail the grounds upon which the person considers the decision unjust or unlawful and shall include every issue to be considered by the department, and it must contain a detailed statement of facts upon which the person relies in support of the appeal. These persons shall be deemed to have waived all objections or irregularities concerning the matter on which the appeal is taken, other than those specifically set forth in the notice of hearing or appearing in the records of the retirement system.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Following its receipt of a notice for hearing in accordance with RCW 41.40.068, a hearing shall be held by the director or a duly authorized representative, in the county of the residence of the claimant at a time and place designated by the director. Such hearing shall be conducted and governed in all respects by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.

Effective date—1989 c 175: See note following RCW 34.05.010.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Judicial review of any final decision and order by the director is governed by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.

Effective date—1989 c 175: See note following RCW 34.05.010.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

No bond of any kind shall be required of a claimant appealing to the superior court, the court of appeals, or the supreme court from a finding of the department affecting the claimant's right to retirement or disability benefits.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

(1) A plan 1 member who is employed by a school district or districts, an educational service district, the Washington center for deaf and hard of hearing youth, the state school for the blind, institutions of higher education, or community colleges:

(a) Shall receive a service credit month for each month of the period from September through August of the following year if he or she is employed in an eligible position, earns compensation earnable for six hundred thirty hours or more during that period, and is employed during nine months of that period, except that a member may not receive credit for any period prior to the member's employment in an eligible position;

(b) If a member in an eligible position does not meet the requirements of (a) of this subsection, the member is entitled to a service credit month for each month of the period he or she earns earnable compensation for seventy or more hours; and the member is entitled to a one-quarter service credit month for those calendar months during which he or she earned compensation for less than seventy hours.

(2) Except for any period prior to the member's employment in an eligible position, a plan 2 or plan 3 member who is employed by a school district or districts, an educational service district, the state school for the blind, the Washington center for deaf and hard of hearing youth, institutions of higher education, or community colleges:

(a) Shall receive a service credit month for each month of the period from September through August of the following year if he or she is employed in an eligible position, earns compensation earnable for eight hundred ten hours or more during that period, and is employed during nine months of that period;

(b) If a member in an eligible position for each month of the period from September through August of the following year does not meet the hours requirements of (a) of this subsection, the member is entitled to one-half service credit month for each month of the period if he or she earns earnable compensation for at least six hundred thirty hours but less than eight hundred ten hours during that period, and is employed nine months of that period;

(c) In all other instances, a member in an eligible position is entitled to service credit months as follows:

(i) One service credit month for each month in which compensation is earned for ninety or more hours;

(ii) One-half service credit month for each month in which compensation is earned for at least seventy hours but less than ninety hours; and

(iii) One-quarter service credit month for each month in which compensation is earned for less than seventy hours;

(d) After August 31, 2000, school districts and educational service districts will no longer be employers for the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3.

(3) The department shall adopt rules implementing this section.

Findings—Intent—2009 c 381: See note following RCW 72.40.015.

Effective date—1998 c 341: See RCW 41.35.901.

Findings—Effective dates—1991 c 343: See notes following RCW 41.50.005.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Findings—Intent—Reservation—Effective date—Construction—1990 c 274: See notes following RCW 41.32.010.

(1) Active members of the Washington state patrol retirement system who have previously established service credit in the public employees' retirement system, plan 1 or plan 2 while employed by the state patrol as a cadet as defined in *RCW 43.43.120(6)(b) may have such service credit transferred to the state patrol retirement system subject to the terms and conditions specified in chapter 43.43 RCW, including reestablishment of such service for the sole purpose of transfer. Service reestablishment shall be subject to the interest requirements of RCW 41.40.150(2).

(2) Service credit established for employment other than that specified in subsection (1) of this section is not eligible for transfer.

*Reviser's note: RCW 43.43.120 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsection (6)(b) to subsection (5)(b).

Effective date—1983 c 81: See note following RCW 43.43.120.

(1) A one hundred fifty thousand dollar death benefit for members who had the opportunity to transfer to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system pursuant to chapter 502, Laws of 1993, but elected to remain in the public employees' retirement system, shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the member has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, the member's death benefit shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse as if in fact the spouse had been nominated by written designation, or if there is no surviving spouse, then to the member's legal representatives.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, the benefit under this section shall be paid only where death occurs as a result of (a) injuries sustained in the course of employment as a general authority police officer; or (b) an occupational disease or infection that arises naturally and proximately out of employment covered under this chapter. The determination of eligibility for the benefit shall be made consistent with Title 51 RCW by the department of labor and industries. The department of labor and industries shall notify the department of retirement systems by order under RCW 51.52.050.

(3) The benefit under this section shall not be paid in the event the member was in the act of committing a felony when the fatal injuries were suffered.

Effective date—1998 c 157: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 25, 1998]." [ 1998 c 157 s 6.]

(1) A one hundred fifty thousand dollar death benefit shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust or organization as the member has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If no such designated person or persons are still living at the time of the member's death, the member's death benefit shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse as if in fact the spouse had been nominated by written designation, or if there is no surviving spouse, then to the member's legal representatives.

(2) The benefit under this section shall be paid only where death occurs as a result of (a) injuries sustained in the course of employment; or (b) an occupational disease or infection that arises naturally and proximately out of employment covered under this chapter. The determination of eligibility for the benefit shall be made consistent with Title 51 RCW by the department of labor and industries. The department of labor and industries shall notify the department of retirement systems by order under RCW 51.52.050.

(1) Any member of the Washington judicial retirement system who wishes to transfer such membership to the retirement system provided for in this chapter shall file a written request with the director as required by RCW 2.10.040 on or before December 31, 1989, or within one year after reentering service as a judge.

Upon receipt of such request, the director shall transfer from the judicial retirement system to this retirement system: (a) An amount equal to the employee and employer contributions the judge would have made if the judge's service under chapter 2.10 RCW had originally been earned under this chapter, which employee contributions shall be credited to the member's account established under this chapter; and (b) a record of service credited to the member. The judge's accumulated contributions that exceed the amount credited to the judge's account under this subsection shall be deposited in the judge's retirement account created pursuant to chapter 2.14 RCW.

(2) The member shall be given year-for-year credit for years of service, as determined under *RCW 2.10.030(8), earned under the judicial retirement system. Service credit granted under the judicial retirement system pursuant to RCW 2.10.220 shall not be transferred under this section. The director instead shall reverse the transfer of contributions and service credit previously made under RCW 2.10.220 and shall credit the member for such periods of service and contributions under this chapter as though no transfer had ever occurred.

(3) All employee contributions transferred pursuant to this section shall be treated the same as other employee contributions made under this chapter.

*Reviser's note: RCW 2.10.030 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsection (8) to subsection (11).

Effective date—1988 c 109: See note following RCW 2.10.030.

(1) An employee who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 on or before January 1, 2003, and on July 27, 2003, is employed by the department of fish and wildlife as a law enforcement officer as defined in RCW 41.26.030, shall become a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. All officers will be dual members as provided in chapter 41.54 RCW, and public employees' retirement system service credit may not be transferred to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2.

(2) An employee who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on or before January 1, 2003, and on or after July 27, 2003, is employed by the department of fish and wildlife as a law enforcement officer as defined in RCW 41.26.030, shall remain a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 1.

A former member of the Washington judicial retirement system who: (1) Is not serving as a judge on July 1, 1988; (2) has not retired under the applicable provisions of chapter 2.10 RCW; and (3) subsequently reacquires membership in the public employees' retirement system may, by written request filed with the director of retirement systems, transfer to the public employees' retirement system all periods of time served as a judge, as defined in *RCW 2.10.030(2). Upon such membership transfer being made, the department of retirement systems shall transfer the employer contributions and the employee's contributions and service from the judicial retirement system to the public employees' retirement system. The service shall be transferred and credited to the member as though the service was originally earned as a member of the public employees' retirement system.

*Reviser's note: RCW 2.10.030 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsection (2) to subsection (5).

Effective date—1988 c 109: See note following RCW 2.10.030.

RCW 43.01.044 shall not result in any increase in retirement benefits. The rights extended to state officers and employees under RCW 43.01.044 are not intended to and shall not have any effect on retirement benefits under this chapter.

(1) The annual compensation taken into account in calculating retiree benefits under this system shall not exceed the limits imposed by section 401(a)(17) of the federal internal revenue code for qualified trusts.

(2) The department shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, persons who fail to:

(1) Establish allowable membership service not previously credited;

(2) Restore all or a part of that previously credited membership service represented by withdrawn contributions; or

(3) Restore service credit represented by a lump sum payment in lieu of benefits, before the deadline established by statute, may do so under the conditions set forth in RCW 41.50.165.

(1) By no later than December 31, 2010, the department shall recalculate service credit for periods of qualifying prior service by an eligible member, as provided for in this section.

(2) An eligible member is a member of plan 2 or 3 who is active in the retirement system and who earns service credit after June 10, 2010, and before September 1, 2010.

(3) A qualifying period of prior service is a school year prior to January 1, 1987, in which the member:

(a) Was employed in an eligible position by a school district or districts, educational service district, the *state school for the deaf, the state school for the blind, an institution of higher education, or a community college;

(b) Earned earnable compensation for at least six hundred thirty hours as determined by the department;

(c) Received less than six months of service credit; and

(d) Has not withdrawn service credit for the school year or has restored any withdrawn service credit for the school year.

(4) The department shall recalculate service credit for qualifying periods of prior service for an eligible member as follows:

(a) The member shall receive one-half service credit month for each month of the period from September through August of the following year if he or she earned earnable compensation during that period for at least six hundred thirty hours as determined by the department, and was employed nine months of that period; and

(b) A member's service credit shall not be reduced under this section for a qualifying period of prior service.

*Reviser's note: The "state school for the deaf" was abolished pursuant to 2009 c 381 s 11 and powers, duties, and functions were transferred to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. The "Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss" was renamed the "Washington center for deaf and hard of hearing youth" by 2019 c 266 s 1.

The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to the officers and employees of the nonprofit corporation formed under *chapter 67.40 RCW.

*Reviser's note: A majority of chapter 67.40 RCW was repealed by 2010 1st sp.s. c 15 s 14, effective November 30, 2010. RCW 67.40.020 was repealed by 2010 1st sp.s. c 15 s 15, effective December 30, 2010.

Savings—Severability—1984 c 210: See notes following RCW 43.01.045.

(1) All classified employees employed by Washington State University on and after April 24, 1973, and otherwise eligible shall become members of the Washington public employees' retirement system to the exclusion of any other retirement benefit system at the institution unless otherwise provided by law.

(2) All classified employees employed by the University of Washington or each of the regional universities or The Evergreen State College on and after May 6, 1974, and otherwise eligible shall become members of the Washington public employees' retirement system at the institution unless otherwise provided by law: PROVIDED, That persons who, immediately prior to the date of their hiring as classified employees, have for at least two consecutive years held membership in a retirement plan underwritten by the private insurer of the retirement plan of their respective educational institution may irrevocably elect to continue their membership in the retirement plan notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, if the election is made within thirty days from the date of their hiring as classified employees. If these persons elect to become members of the public employees' retirement system, contributions by them and their employers shall be required from their first day of employment.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

(1) Employers that are organized pursuant to chapter 36.100, 36.102, or 81.112 RCW, who have become retirement system employers since 1993, and who have previously excluded some of their employees from retirement system membership pursuant to the limitation in RCW 41.40.023(4), shall have the option until December 31, 1999, to terminate their status as a retirement system employer with regard to persons employed after the date of their election.

(2) If a government unit terminates its status as an employer pursuant to this section its employees as of the date of the election who are members shall be eligible to continue their membership in the retirement system, if otherwise eligible under this chapter, for the duration of their continuous employment with that employer.

(3) If a government unit subject to this section does not elect to terminate its status as a retirement system employer it may either: (a) Continue to exclude from membership those employees who were excluded pursuant to the limitation in RCW 41.40.023(4) prior to July 25, 1999; or [(b)] include such employees in the retirement system, if otherwise eligible under this chapter, for service rendered on or after July 25, 1999, and after the employer's election.

(1) When a unit of government has become a retirement system employer, all of its employees must be included in the plan membership, if otherwise eligible under this chapter, unless the employee is exempted from membership or qualifies for optional membership pursuant to RCW 41.40.023 or other provision of this chapter.

(2) A unit of government which has become a retirement system employer may not withdraw from the retirement system.

(1) An employee who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 before July 1, 2006, and on July 1, 2006, is employed by an employer as defined in *RCW 41.37.010(4) and is an employee in a job class included in *RCW 41.37.010(5), has the following options during the election period:

(a) Remain a member of the public employees' retirement system; or

(b) Become a member of the public safety employees' retirement system plan 2. All members will be dual members as provided in chapter 41.54 RCW, and public employees' retirement system service credit may not be transferred to the public safety employees' retirement system plan 2.

(2) The "election period" is the period between July 1, 2006, and September 30, 2006.

(3) During the election period, employees remain members of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 until they elect to join the public safety employees' retirement system. Members who elect to join the public safety employees' retirement system as described in subsection (1) of this section will have their membership begin prospectively from the date of their election.

(4) If after September 30, 2006, the member has not made an election to join the public safety employees' retirement system he or she will remain in the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3.

(5) An employee who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on or before July 1, 2006, and on or after July 1, 2006, is employed by an employer as defined in *RCW 41.37.010(4) as an employee in a job class included in *RCW 41.37.010(5), shall remain a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 1.

(6) All new employees hired on or after July 1, 2006, who become employed by an employer as defined in *RCW 41.37.010(4) as an employee in a job class included in *RCW 41.37.010(5) will become members of the public safety employees' retirement system.

(7) An employee of the department of natural resources who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 before July 1, 2007, and on July 1, 2007, is performing the duties as defined in *RCW 41.37.010(5), has the following options during the election period defined in subsection (8) of this section:

(a) Remain in the public employees' retirement system; or

(b) Become a member of the public safety employees' retirement system plan 2 and be a dual member as provided in chapter 41.54 RCW, and public employees' retirement system service credit may not be transferred to the public safety employees' retirement system.

(8) The "election period" is the period between July 1, 2007, and September 30, 2007.

(9) During the election period, department of natural resources employees remain members of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 until they elect to join the public safety employees' retirement system. Members who elect to join the public safety employees' retirement system as described in subsection (7) of this section will have their membership begin prospectively from the date of their election.

(10) If after September 30, 2007, an employee has not made an election to join the public safety employees' retirement system, he or she will remain in the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3.

*Reviser's note: RCW 41.37.010 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsections (4) and (5) to subsections (12) and (19), respectively.

Effective date—2004 c 242: See RCW 41.37.901.

(1) Between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, a member of plan 1 or plan 2 employed as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge may make a one-time irrevocable election, filed in writing with the member's employer, the department, and the administrative office of the courts, to accrue an additional benefit equal to one and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of future service credit from the date of the election in lieu of future employee and employer contributions to the judicial retirement account plan under chapter 2.14 RCW.

(2) A member who made the election under subsection (1) of this section may apply, at the time of filing a written application for retirement with the department, to the department to increase the member's benefit multiplier by an additional one and one-half percent per year of service for the period in which the member served as a justice or judge prior to the election. The member may purchase, beginning with the most recent judicial service, the higher benefit multiplier for that portion of the member's prior judicial service for which the higher benefit multiplier was not previously purchased, and that would ensure that the member has no more than a seventy-five percent of average final compensation benefit. The member shall pay five percent of the salary earned for each month of service for which the higher benefit multiplier is being purchased, plus five and one-half percent interest applied from the dates that the service was earned. The purchase price shall not exceed the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier. This payment must be made prior to retirement, subject to rules adopted by the department.

(3) From January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2009, the following members may apply to the department to increase their benefit multiplier by an additional one and one-half percent per year of service for the period in which they served as a justice or judge:

(a) Active members of plan 1 or plan 2 who are not currently employed as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, and who have past service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge; and

(b) Inactive vested members of plan 1 or plan 2 who have separated, have not yet retired, and who have past service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge.

A member eligible under this subsection may purchase the higher benefit multiplier for all or part of the member's prior judicial service beginning with the most recent judicial service. The member shall pay, for the applicable period of service, the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier as determined by the director.

(4) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member applying to increase the member's benefit multiplier under this section may pay all or part of the cost with a lump sum payment, eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan. The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all lump sum payments, rollovers, and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

(1) Between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, a member of plan 1 or plan 2 employed as a district court judge or municipal court judge may make a one-time irrevocable election, filed in writing with the member's employer and the department, to accrue an additional benefit equal to one and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of future service credit from the date of the election.

(2) A member who made the election under subsection (1) of this section may apply, at the time of filing a written application for retirement with the department, to the department to increase the member's benefit multiplier by one and one-half percent per year of service for the period in which the member served as a judge prior to the election. The member may purchase, beginning with the most recent judicial service, the higher benefit multiplier for that portion of the member's prior judicial service for which the higher benefit multiplier was not previously purchased, and that would ensure that the member has no more than a seventy-five percent of average final compensation benefit. The member shall pay five percent of the salary earned for each month of service for which the higher benefit multiplier is being purchased, plus five and one-half percent interest applied from the dates that the service was earned. The purchase price shall not exceed the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier. This payment must be made prior to retirement, subject to rules adopted by the department.

(3) From January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2009, the following members may apply to the department to increase their benefit multiplier by an additional one and one-half percent per year of service for the period in which they served as a justice or judge:

(a) Active members of plan 1 or plan 2 who are not currently employed as a district court judge or municipal court judge, and who have past service as a district court judge or municipal court judge; and

(b) Inactive vested members of plan 1 or plan 2 who have separated, have not yet retired, and who have past service as a district court judge or municipal court judge.

A member eligible under this subsection may purchase the higher benefit multiplier for all or part of the member's prior judicial service beginning with the most recent judicial service. The member shall pay, for the applicable period of service, the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier as determined by the director.

(4) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member applying to increase the member's benefit multiplier under this section may pay all or part of the cost with a lump sum payment, eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan. The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all lump sum payments, rollovers, and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

(1) An employee providing emergency medical services for a consortium of local governments, where some of those local governments qualified as public employees' retirement system employers at the time the service was rendered, may make an election to establish credit for service performed prior to July 27, 2003, as a full-time emergency medical technician serving the consortium to the public employees' retirement system. This option is only available to employees who:

(a) Performed services for a consortium of local governments fully contained within the boundaries of a county whose population on June 9, 2016, exceeds seven hundred thousand residents but is less than eight hundred thousand residents; and

(b) File a written election to establish service credit under this section with the department of retirement systems no later than June 30, 2026.

(2)(a) The department of retirement systems shall treat the consortium member with the largest current population among consortium members who qualified as a public employees' retirement system employer at the time the service was rendered as the employer for purposes of this section. This employer classification:

(i) Is solely for the purpose of streamlining reporting service and compensation credit and paying contributions for periods of service covered by this section; and

(ii) Does not mean that the consortium member is the employee's employer for any other purpose.

(b) All contributions required for past periods of service established under this section shall be paid by the employees electing to establish service credit under this section.

(i) Employee contributions shall be calculated by the department equal to the contributions that would have been paid by the employee had the employee been a member of [the] public employees' retirement system.

(ii) Employer contributions shall be calculated by the department equal to the contributions that would have been paid by the employer had the employee been reported in [the] public employees' retirement system.

(iii) All contributions must be submitted by the employee within five years of electing to establish service credit under this section.

(3) If a member who elected to establish service credit under this section dies or retires for disability prior to payment of contributions under subsection (2)(b) of this section, the member, or in the case of death the surviving spouse or eligible minor children, may:

(a) Pay the bill in full;

(b) If a continuing monthly benefit is chosen, have the benefit actuarially reduced to reflect the amount of the unpaid obligation under subsection (2)(b) of this section; or

(c) Continue to make payment against the obligation under subsection (2)(b) of this section, provided that payment in full is made no later than five years from the member's original election date.

(1) At the time of retirement, a plan 1 member may purchase an optional actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 fund established in RCW 41.50.075. A minimum payment of five thousand dollars is required.

(2) At the time of retirement, a plan 2 or plan 3 member may purchase an optional actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit from the public employees' retirement system combined plan 2 and plan 3 fund established in RCW 41.50.075. A minimum payment of five thousand dollars is required.

(3) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member purchasing an annuity under this section must pay all of the cost with an eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan.

(a) The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all eligible rollovers and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.

(b) For the purposes of this subsection (3), "eligible retirement plan" means a tax qualified plan offered by a governmental employer.

(4) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future.

Effective date—2019 c 189: "This act takes effect January 1, 2020." [ 2019 c 189 s 4.]

RCW 41.40.150 through 41.40.363 shall apply only to members of plan 1.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Should any member die, or should the individual separate or be separated from service without leave of absence before attaining age sixty years, or should the individual become a beneficiary, except a beneficiary of an optional retirement allowance as provided by RCW 41.40.188, the individual shall thereupon cease to be a member except;

(1) As provided in RCW 41.40.170.

(2) An employee not previously retired who reenters service shall upon completion of six months of continuous service and upon the restoration, in one lump sum or in annual installments, of all withdrawn contributions: (a) With interest as computed by the director, which restoration must be completed within a total period of five years of membership service following the member's first resumption of employment or (b) paying the amount required under RCW 41.50.165(2), be returned to the status, either as an original member or new member which the member held at time of separation.

(3)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a member who separates or has separated after having completed at least five years of service shall remain a member during the period of absence from service for the exclusive purpose of receiving a retirement allowance to begin at attainment of age sixty-five, however, such a member may on written notice to the director elect to receive a reduced retirement allowance on or after age sixty which allowance shall be the actuarial equivalent of the sum necessary to pay regular retirement benefits as of age sixty-five: PROVIDED, That if such member should withdraw all or part of the member's accumulated contributions except those additional contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.40.330(2), the individual shall thereupon cease to be a member and this section shall not apply.

(b) A member who:

(i) Separates from service under this subsection on or after January 1, 2002; and

(ii) Attains the age of fifty with at least twenty years of service prior to separation; and

(iii) Is not retired as of June 13, 2002, shall remain a member during the period of absence from service for the exclusive purpose of receiving a retirement allowance to begin at attainment of age sixty.

If such a member should withdraw all or part of the member's accumulated contributions except those additional contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.40.330(2), the individual shall thereupon cease to be a member and this section shall not apply.

(4) The recipient of a retirement allowance elected to office or appointed to office directly by the governor, and who shall apply for and be accepted in membership as provided in RCW 41.40.023(3) shall be considered to have terminated his or her retirement status and shall become a member of the retirement system with the status of membership the member held as of the date of retirement. Retirement benefits shall be suspended from the date of return to membership until the date when the member again retires and the member shall make contributions and receive membership credit. Such a member shall have the right to again retire if eligible in accordance with RCW 41.40.180: PROVIDED, That where any such right to retire is exercised to become effective before the member has rendered six uninterrupted months of service the type of retirement allowance the member had at the time of the member's previous retirement shall be reinstated, but no additional service credit shall be allowed: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That if such a recipient of a retirement allowance does not elect to apply for reentry into membership as provided in RCW 41.40.023(3), the member shall be considered to remain in a retirement status and the individual's retirement benefits shall continue without interruption.

(5) Any member who leaves the employment of an employer and enters the employ of a public agency or agencies of the state of Washington, other than those within the jurisdiction of this retirement system, and who establishes membership in a retirement system or a pension fund operated by such agency or agencies and who shall continue membership therein until attaining age sixty, shall remain a member for the exclusive purpose of receiving a retirement allowance without the limitation found in RCW 41.40.180(1) to begin on attainment of age sixty-five; however, such a member may on written notice to the director elect to receive a reduced retirement allowance on or after age sixty which allowance shall be the actuarial equivalent of the sum necessary to pay regular retirement benefits commencing at age sixty-five: PROVIDED, That if such member should withdraw all or part of the member's accumulated contributions except those additional contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.40.330(2), the individual shall thereupon cease to be a member and this section shall not apply.

Intent—Construction—Application—1997 c 254: See notes following RCW 41.26.490.

Intent—Severability—Effective date—1994 c 197: See notes following RCW 41.50.165.

Effective date—1992 c 195 s 1: "Section 1 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1994." [ 1992 c 195 s 3.]

Findings—1990 c 249: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Effective dates—1987 c 384: "Section 1 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect on July 1, 1987. Section 2 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1988." [ 1987 c 384 s 3.]

Legislative findings—Intent—1986 c 317: "The legislature finds that in the past public employees and teachers who had terminated employment, withdrawn their retirement contributions, and subsequently returned to public employment or teaching either did not receive proper notification of the procedure to reinstate their withdrawn contributions or they did not fully understand the limitation on such reinstatement. In 1973, the legislature recognized this fact and provided an extraordinary reinstatement period for such employees. Further in 1983, the legislature established clear notification procedures for the proper notification of the reinstatement policy for all such returning employees. Therefore, it is the intent of this 1986 act to provide one last opportunity for reinstatement of withdrawn contributions to those who may have not been properly informed or misunderstood the reinstatement procedure." [ 1986 c 317 s 1.]

Severability—1986 c 317: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1986 c 317 s 11.]

Severability—1983 c 233: See note following RCW 41.32.500.

Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 52: See note following RCW 2.10.180.

Severability—1974 ex.s. c 195: See note following RCW 41.40.023.

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

(1) Subject to the provisions of RCW 41.40.150, at retirement the total service credited to a member shall consist of all membership service and, if he or she is an original member, all of the certified prior service.

(2) Employees of a public utility or other private enterprise all or any portion of which has been heretofore or may be hereafter acquired by a public agency as a matter of public convenience and necessity, where it is in the public interest to retain the trained personnel of such enterprise, all service to that enterprise shall, upon the acquiring public agency becoming an employer as defined in *RCW 41.40.010(4) be credited on the same basis as if rendered to the said employer: PROVIDED, That this shall apply only to those employees who were in the service of the enterprise at or prior to the time of acquisition by the public agency and who remain in the service of the acquiring agency until they attain membership in the state employees' retirement system; and to those employees who were in the service of the enterprise at the time of acquisition by the public agency and subsequently attain membership through employment with any participating agency: PROVIDED FURTHER, In the event that the acquiring agency is an employer at the time of the acquisition, employer's contributions in connection with members achieving service credit hereunder shall be made on the same basis as set forth in RCW ** 41.40.045 and 41.40.048 for an employer admitted after April 1, 1949, and before July 23, 1995, and on the same basis as set forth in RCW 41.40.057 for an employer admitted after July 23, 1995.

Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 41.40.010 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsection (4) to subsection (13).

**(2) RCW 41.40.045 was repealed by 1995 c 286 s 6.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, employees of Washington State University who first established membership in the public employees' retirement system plan 1 under *RCW 41.40.500 through 41.40.507, as existing on July 28, 1991, and **RCW 41.40.508, as existing on June 7, 1990, may purchase, as set forth under RCW 41.50.165, plan 1 service credit for the period of service at Washington State University prior to his or her contributory membership in the Washington State University retirement system.

Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 41.40.500 through 41.40.507 were decodified pursuant to 1991 c 35 s 4.

**(2) RCW 41.40.508 was repealed by 1990 c 249 s 22.

(1) A member who has served or shall serve on active federal service in the military or naval forces of the United States and who left or shall leave an employer to enter such service shall be deemed to be on military leave of absence if he or she has resumed or shall resume employment as an employee within one year from termination thereof.

(2) If he or she has applied or shall apply for reinstatement of employment, within one year from termination of the military service, and is refused employment for reasons beyond his or her control, he or she shall, upon resumption of service within ten years have such service credited to him or her.

(3) In any event, after completing twenty-five years of creditable service, any member may have service in the armed forces credited to him or her as a member whether or not he or she left the employ of an employer to enter the armed service: PROVIDED, That in no instance, described in this section, shall military service in excess of five years be credited: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That in each instance the member must restore all withdrawn accumulated contributions, which restoration must be completed within five years of membership service following the first resumption of employment or complete twenty-five years of creditable service: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That this section will not apply to any individual, not an honorably discharged veteran or veteran who received a physical discharge from the armed forces with an honorable record. Furthermore, an individual must prove that their military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005.

(4)(a) A member, after completing twenty-five years of creditable service, who would have otherwise become eligible for a retirement benefit as defined under this chapter while serving honorably in the armed forces, and with service during a period of war as referenced in RCW 41.04.005, shall, upon application to the department, be eligible to receive credit for this service without returning to covered employment.

(b) Service credit granted under (a) of this subsection applies only to honorably discharged veterans or veterans who received a physical discharge with an honorable record whose military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005.

(5) The surviving spouse or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and died while serving in the uniformed services may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in the uniformed services. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children:

(a) Provides to the director proof of the member's death while serving in the uniformed services; and

(b) Provides to the director proof of the member's honorable service in the uniformed services prior to the date of death.

(6) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while serving in the uniformed services is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of discharge from the uniformed services if:

(a) The member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while serving in the uniformed services; and

(b) The member provides to the director proof of honorable discharge from the uniformed services.

Intent—2024 c 146: See note following RCW 73.04.005.

Severability—Effective date—2005 c 247: See notes following RCW 41.04.005.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1981 c 294: See note following RCW 41.26.115.

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

(1) A member who is on a paid leave of absence authorized by a member's employer shall continue to receive service credit as provided under the provisions of RCW 41.40.145 through 41.40.363.

(2) A member who receives compensation from an employer while on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an elected official of a labor organization, and whose employer is reimbursed by the labor organization for the compensation paid to the member during the period of absence, may also be considered to be on a paid leave of absence. This subsection shall only apply if the member's leave of absence is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement that provides that the member retains seniority rights with the employer during the period of leave. The compensation earnable reported for a member who establishes service credit under this subsection may not be greater than the salary paid to the highest paid job class covered by the collective bargaining agreement.

Retroactive application—1993 c 95: "This act applies on a retroactive basis to members for whom compensation and hours were reported under the circumstances described in sections 1 through 6 of this act. This act may also be applied on a retroactive basis to January 1, 1992, to members for whom compensation and hours would have been reported except for chapter 3, Laws of 1992, or explicit instructions from the department of retirement systems." [ 1993 c 95 s 9.]

Effective date—1993 c 95: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [April 21, 1993]." [ 1993 c 95 s 11.]

(1) Any member with five years of creditable service who has attained age sixty and any original member who has attained age sixty may retire on written application to the director, setting forth at what time the member desires to be retired: PROVIDED, That in the national interest, during time of war engaged in by the United States, the director may extend beyond age sixty, subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the age at which any member may be eligible to retire.

(2) Any member who has completed thirty years of service may retire on written application to the director setting forth at what time the member desires to be retired, subject to war measures.

(3) Any member who has completed twenty-five years of service and attained age fifty-five may retire on written application to the director setting forth at what time the member desires to be retired, subject to war measures.

(4) Any individual who is eligible to retire pursuant to subsections (1) through (3) of this section shall be allowed to retire while on any authorized leave of absence not in excess of one hundred and twenty days.

Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 52: See note following RCW 2.10.180.

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 271: See note following RCW 41.32.260.

(1) Beginning July 1, 2009, the annual increase amount as defined in RCW 41.40.010(4) shall be increased by an amount equal to $0.40 per month per year of service minus the 2008 gain-sharing increase amount under *RCW 41.31.010 as it exists on July 22, 2007. This adjustment shall not decrease the annual increase amount, and is not to exceed $0.20 per month per year of service. The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has the contractual right to receive this adjustment to the annual increase amount not granted prior to that time.

(2) The adjustment to the annual increase amount as set forth in section 11, chapter 491, Laws of 2007 was intended by the legislature as a replacement benefit for gain-sharing. If the repeal of **chapter 41.31 RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then this adjustment to the annual increase amount shall not be included in future annual increase amounts paid on or after the date of such reinstatement.

(3) No additional increase under this section shall be provided after June 30, 2011.

Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 41.31.010 was repealed by 2007 c 491 s 13, effective January 2, 2008.

**(2) Chapter 41.31 RCW was repealed by 2007 c 491 s 13, effective January 2, 2008.

Finding—Intent—Effective date—2011 c 362: See notes following RCW 41.32.483.

Severability—Conflict with federal requirements—2007 c 491: See notes following RCW 41.32.765.

Upon retirement from service, as provided for in RCW 41.40.180 or 41.40.210, a member shall be eligible for a service retirement allowance computed on the basis of the law in effect at the time of retirement, together with such post-retirement pension increases as may from time to time be expressly authorized by the legislature. The service retirement allowance payable to members retiring on and after February 25, 1972 shall consist of:

(1) An annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her additional contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.40.330(2).

(2) A membership service pension, subject to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, which shall be equal to two percent of his or her average final compensation for each service credit year or fraction of a service credit year of membership service.

(3) A prior service pension which shall be equal to one-seventieth of his or her average final compensation for each year or fraction of a year of prior service not to exceed thirty years credited to his or her service accounts. In no event, except as provided in *this 1972 amendatory act, shall any member receive a retirement allowance pursuant to subsections (2) and (3) of this section of more than sixty percent of his or her average final compensation: PROVIDED, That no member shall receive a pension under this section of less than nine hundred dollars per annum if such member has twelve or more years of service credit, or less than one thousand and two hundred dollars per annum if such member has sixteen or more years of service credit, or less than one thousand five hundred and sixty dollars per annum if such member has twenty or more years of service credit.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) through (3) of this section, the retirement allowance payable for service where a member was elected or appointed pursuant to Articles II or III of the Constitution of the state of Washington or RCW 48.02.010 and the implementing statutes shall be a combined pension and annuity. Said retirement allowance shall be equal to three percent of the average final compensation for each year of such service. Any member covered by this subsection who upon retirement has served ten or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least one thousand two hundred dollars per annum; such member who has served fifteen or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least one thousand eight hundred dollars per annum; and such member who has served twenty or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least two thousand four hundred dollars per annum: PROVIDED, That the initial retirement allowance of a member retiring only under the provisions of this subsection shall not exceed the average final compensation upon which the retirement allowance is based. The minimum benefits provided in this subsection shall apply to all retired members or to the surviving spouse of deceased members who were elected to the office of state senator or state representative.

*Reviser's note: For codification of "this 1972 amendatory act" [1972 ex.s. c 151], see Codification Tables.

Findings—Effective dates—1991 c 343: See notes following RCW 41.50.005.

Findings—1990 c 249: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

(1) Upon retirement for service as prescribed in RCW 41.40.180 or retirement for disability under RCW 41.40.210 or 41.40.230, a member shall elect to have the retirement allowance paid pursuant to one of the following options calculated so as to be actuarially equivalent to each other.

(a) Standard allowance. A member electing this option shall receive a retirement allowance payable throughout such member's life. However, if the retiree dies before the total of the retirement allowance paid to such retiree equals the amount of such retiree's accumulated contributions at the time of retirement, then the balance shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the retiree shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department; or if there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the retiree's death, then to the surviving spouse; or if there be neither such designated person or persons still living at the time of death nor a surviving spouse, then to the retiree's legal representative.

(b) The department shall adopt rules that allow a member to select a retirement option that pays the member a reduced retirement allowance and upon death, such portion of the member's reduced retirement allowance as the department by rule designates shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to a person nominated by the member by written designation duly executed and filed with the department at the time of retirement. The options adopted by the department shall include, but are not limited to, a joint and one hundred percent survivor option and a joint and fifty percent survivor option.

(c) A member may elect to include the benefit provided under RCW 41.40.640 along with the retirement options available under this section. This retirement allowance option shall be calculated so as to be actuarially equivalent to the options offered under this subsection.

(2)(a) A member, if married, must provide the written consent of his or her spouse to the option selected under this section, except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection. If a member is married and both the member and the member's spouse do not give written consent to an option under this section, the department shall pay a joint and fifty percent survivor benefit calculated to be actuarially equivalent to the benefit options available under subsection (1) of this section unless spousal consent is not required as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection.

(b) Written consent from a spouse or domestic partner is not required if a member who is married or a domestic partner selects a joint and survivor option under subsection (1)(b) of this section and names the member's spouse or domestic partner as the survivor beneficiary.

(c) If a copy of a dissolution order designating a survivor beneficiary under RCW 41.50.790 has been filed with the department at least thirty days prior to a member's retirement:

(i) The department shall honor the designation as if made by the member under subsection (1) of this section; and

(ii) The spousal consent provisions of (a) of this subsection do not apply.

(3)(a) Any member who retired before January 1, 1996, and who elected to receive a reduced retirement allowance under subsection (1)(b) or (2) of this section is entitled to receive a retirement allowance adjusted in accordance with (b) of this subsection, if they meet the following conditions:

(i) The retiree's designated beneficiary predeceases or has predeceased the retiree; and

(ii) The retiree provides to the department proper proof of the designated beneficiary's death.

(b) The retirement allowance payable to the retiree, as of July 1, 1998, or the date of the designated beneficiary's death, whichever comes last, shall be increased by the percentage derived in (c) of this subsection.

(c) The percentage increase shall be derived by the following:

(i) One hundred percent multiplied by the result of (c)(ii) of this subsection converted to a percent;

(ii) Subtract one from the reciprocal of the appropriate joint and survivor option factor;

(iii) The joint and survivor option factor shall be from the table in effect as of July 1, 1998.

(d) The adjustment under (b) of this subsection shall accrue from the beginning of the month following the date of the designated beneficiary's death or from July 1, 1998, whichever comes last.

(4) No later than July 1, 2001, the department shall adopt rules that allow a member additional actuarially equivalent survivor benefit options, and shall include, but are not limited to:

(a)(i) A retired member who retired without designating a survivor beneficiary shall have the opportunity to designate their spouse from a postretirement marriage as a survivor during a one-year period beginning one year after the date of the postretirement marriage provided the retirement allowance payable to the retiree is not subject to periodic payments pursuant to a property division obligation as provided for in RCW 41.50.670.

(ii) A member who entered into a postretirement marriage prior to the effective date of the rules adopted pursuant to this subsection and satisfies the conditions of (a)(i) of this subsection shall have one year to designate their spouse as a survivor beneficiary following the adoption of the rules.

(b) A retired member who elected to receive a reduced retirement allowance under this section and designated a nonspouse as survivor beneficiary shall have the opportunity to remove the survivor designation and have their future benefit adjusted.

(c) The department may make an additional charge, if necessary, to ensure that the benefits provided under this subsection remain actuarially equivalent.

(5) No later than July 1, 2003, the department shall adopt rules to permit:

(a) A court-approved property settlement incident to a court decree of dissolution made before retirement to provide that benefits payable to a member who meets the length of service requirements of RCW 41.40.180(1) and the member's divorcing spouse be divided into two separate benefits payable over the life of each spouse.

The member shall have available the benefit options of subsection (1) of this section upon retirement, and if remarried at the time of retirement remains subject to the spousal consent requirements of subsection (2) of this section. Any reductions of the member's benefit subsequent to the division into two separate benefits shall be made solely to the separate benefit of the member.

The nonmember ex spouse shall be eligible to commence receiving their separate benefit upon reaching the age provided in RCW 41.40.180(1) and after filing a written application with the department.

(b) A court-approved property settlement incident to a court decree of dissolution made after retirement may only divide the benefit into two separate benefits payable over the life of each spouse if the nonmember ex spouse was selected as a survivor beneficiary at retirement.

The retired member may later choose the survivor benefit options available in subsection (4) of this section. Any actuarial reductions subsequent to the division into two separate benefits shall be made solely to the separate benefit of the member.

Both the retired member and the nonmember divorced spouse shall be eligible to commence receiving their separate benefits upon filing a copy of the dissolution order with the department in accordance with RCW 41.50.670.

(c) The separate single life benefits of the member and the nonmember ex spouse are not (i) subject to the minimum benefit provisions of RCW 41.40.1984, or (ii) the minimum benefit annual increase amount eligibility provisions of RCW 41.40.197(2)(b).

(d) The department may make an additional charge or adjustment if necessary to ensure that the separate benefits provided under this subsection are actuarially equivalent to the benefits payable prior to the decree of dissolution.

Effective date—1998 c 340: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Findings—1990 c 249: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

(1) A retiree who receives state-funded long-term care services on or after June 1, 1998, is not eligible for the increase provided by section 8, chapter 340, Laws of 1998, if the increase would make the retiree ineligible for state-funded long-term care services. For the purposes of this section "state-funded long-term care services" means a state-funded adult family home, adult residential care, assisted living, enhanced adult residential care, in-home care, or nursing home service, as defined in RCW 74.39A.009, for which the retiree is required to contribute all income other than a specified amount reserved for the retiree's personal maintenance needs. Retirees who are subject to this section shall notify the department in writing. The department has no affirmative duty to identify retirees who are subject to this subsection.

(2) This section applies to all payments under section 8, chapter 340, Laws of 1998, made on or after May 17, 1999, regardless of the date of retirement.

Effective date—1999 c 362 s 3: "Section 3 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 17, 1999]." [ 1999 c 362 s 4.]

In lieu of the retirement allowance provided in RCW 41.40.185, an individual employed on or before April 25, 1973 may, after complying with RCW 41.40.180 or 41.40.210, make an irrevocable election to receive the retirement allowance provided by this section which shall consist of:

(1) An annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her accumulated contributions at the time of his or her retirement; and

(2) A basic service pension of one hundred dollars per annum; and

(3) A membership service pension, subject to the provisions of subdivision (4) of this section, which shall be equal to one one-hundredth of his or her average final compensation for each year or fraction of a year of membership service credited to his or her service account; and

(4) A prior service pension which shall be equal to one-seventieth of his or her average final compensation for each year or fraction of a year of prior service not to exceed thirty years credited to his or her service accounts. In no event shall any original member upon retirement at age seventy with ten or more years of service credit receive less than nine hundred dollars per annum as a retirement allowance, nor shall any member upon retirement at any age receive a retirement allowance of less than nine hundred dollars per annum if such member has twelve or more years of service credit, or less than one thousand and two hundred dollars per annum if such member has sixteen or more years of service credit, or less than one thousand five hundred and sixty dollars per annum if such member has twenty or more years of service credit. In the event that the retirement allowance as to such member provided by subdivisions (1), (2), (3), and (4) hereof shall amount to less than the aforesaid minimum retirement allowance, the basic service pension of the member shall be increased from one hundred dollars to a sum sufficient to make a retirement allowance of the applicable minimum amount.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) through (4) of this section, the retirement allowance payable for service where a member was elected or appointed pursuant to Articles II or III of the Constitution of the state of Washington or RCW 48.02.010 and the implementing statutes shall be a combined pension and annuity. Said retirement allowance shall be equal to three percent of the average final compensation for each year of such service. Any member covered by this subsection who upon retirement has served ten or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least one thousand two hundred dollars per annum; such member who has served fifteen or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least one thousand eight hundred dollars per annum; and such member who has served twenty or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least two thousand four hundred dollars per annum: PROVIDED, That the initial retirement allowance of a member retiring only under the provisions of this subsection shall not exceed the average final compensation upon which the retirement allowance is based. The minimum benefits provided in this subsection shall apply to all retired members or to the surviving spouse of deceased members who were elected under the provisions of Article II of the Washington state Constitution.

(6) Unless payment shall be made under RCW 41.40.270, a joint and one hundred percent survivor benefit under RCW 41.40.188 shall automatically be given effect as if selected for the benefit of the surviving spouse upon the death in service, or while on authorized leave of absence for a period not to exceed one hundred and twenty days from the date of payroll separation, of any member who is qualified for a service retirement allowance or has completed ten years of service at the time of death, except that if the member is not then qualified for a service retirement allowance, such option II benefit shall be based upon the actuarial equivalent of the sum necessary to pay the accrued regular retirement allowance commencing when the deceased member would have first qualified for a service retirement allowance.

Findings—1990 c 249: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 271: See note following RCW 41.32.260.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

A member may make the irrevocable election under this section no later than six months after attaining thirty years of service. The election shall become effective at the beginning of the calendar month following department receipt of employee notification.

(1) The sum of member contributions made for periods of service after the effective date of the election plus seven and one-half percent interest shall be paid to the member at retirement without a reduction in the member's monthly retirement benefit as determined under RCW 41.40.185.

(2) Upon retirement, the member's benefit shall be calculated using only the compensation earnable credited prior to the effective date of the member's election. Calculation of the member's average final compensation shall include eligible cash outs of sick and annual leave based on the member's salary and leave accumulations at the time of retirement, except that the amount of a member's average final compensation cannot be higher than if the member had not taken advantage of the election offered under this section.

(3) Members who have already earned thirty years of service credit prior to July 25, 1999, may participate in the election by notifying the department in writing of their intention by December 31, 1999.

The department shall continue to collect employer contributions as required in RCW 41.45.060.

Retirement allowances paid to members eligible to retire under the provisions of RCW 41.40.180, 41.40.200, 41.40.210, 41.40.220, 41.40.230, and 41.40.250 shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following the calendar month during which the member is separated from service. Retirement allowance paid to members eligible to retire under any other provisions of *this 1972 amendatory act shall accrue from the first day of a calendar month but in no event earlier than the first day of the calendar month immediately following the calendar month during which the member is separated from service.

*Reviser's note: For codification of "this 1972 amendatory act" [1972 ex.s. c 151], see Codification Tables.

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

(1) Beginning July 1, 1995, and annually thereafter through July 1, 2010, the retirement allowance of a person meeting the requirements of this section shall be increased by the annual increase amount.

(a) After July 1, 2010, those currently receiving benefits under this section will receive no additional annual increase amounts above the amount in effect on July 1, 2010, except for those who qualify under subsection (2)(b) of this section. This subsection shall not reduce retirement allowances below the amounts in effect on June 30, 2011.

(b) After July 1, 2010, no annual increase amounts may be provided to any beneficiaries who are not already receiving benefits under this section, except for those who qualify under subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(2) The following persons shall be eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section:

(a) A beneficiary who has received a retirement allowance for at least one year by July 1st in the calendar year in which the annual increase is given and has attained at least age sixty-six by December 31st in the calendar year in which the annual increase is given; or

(b) A beneficiary whose retirement allowance is lower than the minimum benefit provided under RCW 41.40.1984.

(3) If otherwise eligible, those receiving an annual adjustment under RCW 41.40.188(1)(c) shall be eligible for the annual increase adjustment in addition to the benefit that would have been received absent this section.

(4) Those receiving a benefit under RCW 41.40.220(1), or a survivor of a disabled member under RCW 41.44.170(5) shall be eligible for the benefit provided by this section.

(5) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to receive this postretirement adjustment not granted prior to that time.

Finding—Intent—Effective date—2011 c 362: See notes following RCW 41.32.483.

Effective date—2007 c 89: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2007." [ 2007 c 89 s 3.]

Intent—Effective date—1995 c 345: See notes following RCW 41.32.489.

For the purposes of RCW 41.40.197, 41.40.1984, and 41.40.1986, "beneficiary" means a beneficiary under RCW 41.40.010 or 41.44.030, or both RCW 41.40.010 and 41.44.030.

Intent—Effective date—1995 c 345: See notes following RCW 41.32.489.

(1) Except as provided in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, no one who becomes a beneficiary after June 30, 1995, shall receive a monthly retirement allowance of less than twenty-four dollars and twenty-two cents times the number of years of service creditable to the person whose service is the basis of such retirement allowance.

(2) Where the retirement allowance payable was adjusted at the time benefit payments to the beneficiary commenced, the minimum allowance provided in this section shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with that adjustment.

(3) Beginning July 1, 1996, the minimum benefit set forth in subsection (1) of this section shall be adjusted annually by the annual increase.

(4) Those receiving a benefit under RCW 41.40.220(1) or under RCW 41.44.170 (3) and (5) shall not be eligible for the benefit provided by this section.

(5) For persons who served as elected officials and whose accumulated employee contributions and credited interest was less than seven hundred fifty dollars at the time of retirement, the minimum benefit under subsection (1) of this section shall be ten dollars per month per each year of creditable service.

(6) Beginning July 1, 2011, the minimum benefit set forth in subsection (1) of this section, prior to adjustments set forth in subsection (2) of this section, for a beneficiary with either (a) at least twenty years of service and who has been retired at least twenty-five years, or (b) at least twenty-five years of service and who has been retired at least twenty years, shall be one thousand five hundred dollars per month. On July 1, 2011, and each year thereafter, the minimum benefit in this subsection shall be increased by three percent, rounded to the nearest cent.

Finding—Intent—Effective date—2011 c 362: See notes following RCW 41.32.483.

Effective date—2006 c 244: See note following RCW 41.32.4851.

Intent—Effective date—1995 c 345: See notes following RCW 41.32.489.

The dollar amount of the temporary postretirement allowance adjustment granted by section 1, chapter 519, Laws of 1993 shall be provided as a permanent retirement allowance adjustment as of July 1, 1995.

Effective date—1994 c 247: See note following RCW 41.32.4991.

Temporary postretirement allowance—1993 c 519: See note following RCW 41.32.4991.

(1) The amount of the July 1, 1993, increase to the retirement allowance of beneficiaries under this chapter as a result of the temporary adjustment authorized by section 3, chapter 519, Laws of 1993, shall be made a permanent adjustment on July 1, 1995.

(2) Beneficiaries receiving a benefit under *RCW 41.40.198 who are at least age seventy-nine shall receive on July 1, 1995, a permanent adjustment of one dollar and eighteen cents per month per year of service.

(3) Beneficiaries under this chapter who are not subject to subsection (1) of this section and are not receiving a benefit under *RCW 41.40.198 shall receive the following permanent adjustment to their retirement allowance on July 1, 1995:

(a) Those who are age seventy, thirty-nine cents per month per year of service;

(b) Those who are age seventy-one, seventy-nine cents per month per year of service; and

(c) Those who are at least age seventy-two, one dollar and eighteen cents per month per year of service.

*Reviser's note: RCW 41.40.198 was repealed by 1995 c 345 s 11.

Intent—Effective date—1995 c 345: See notes following RCW 41.32.489.

(1) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2017, shall receive, effective July 1, 2018, an increase to their monthly benefit of one and one-half percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $62.50.

(2) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2019, shall receive, effective July 1, 2020, an increase to their monthly benefit of three percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $62.50.

(3) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2021, shall receive, effective July 1, 2022, an increase to their monthly benefit of three percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $110.00.

(4) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2022, shall receive, effective July 1, 2023, an increase to their monthly benefit of three percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $110.00.

(5) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2023, shall receive, effective July 1, 2024, an increase to their monthly benefit of three percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $110.00.

(6) This section does not apply to those receiving benefits pursuant to RCW 41.40.1984.

Finding—Effective date—Study on ongoing cost-of-living adjustments—2023 c 397: See notes following RCW 41.32.4992.

Effective date—2022 c 52: See note following RCW 41.32.4992.

Effective date—2020 c 329: See note following RCW 41.32.4992.

Effective date—2018 c 151: See note following RCW 41.32.4992.

(1) Subject to the provisions of RCW 41.40.310 and 41.40.320, upon application of a member, or his or her employer, a member who becomes totally incapacitated for duty as the natural and proximate result of an accident occurring in the actual performance of duty or who becomes totally incapacitated for duty and qualifies to receive benefits under Title 51 RCW as a result of an occupational disease, as now or hereafter defined in RCW 51.08.140, while in the service of an employer, without willful negligence on his or her part, shall be retired subject to the following conditions:

(a) That the medical adviser, after a medical examination of such member made by or under the direction of the medical adviser, shall certify in writing that the member is mentally or physically totally incapacitated for the further performance of his or her duty and that such member should be retired;

(b) That the director concurs in the recommendation of the medical adviser;

(c) That no application shall be valid or a claim thereunder enforceable unless, in the case of an accident, the claim is filed within two years after the date upon which the injury occurred or, in the case of an occupational disease, the claim is filed within two years after the member separated from service with the employer; and

(d) That the coverage provided for occupational disease under this section may be restricted in the future by the legislature for all current and future members.

(2) The retirement for disability of a judge, who is a member of the retirement system, by the supreme court under Article IV, section 31 of the Constitution of the state of Washington (Amendment 71), with the concurrence of the director, shall be considered a retirement under subsection (1) of this section.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Upon retirement for disability, as provided in RCW 41.40.200, a member who has attained age sixty, regardless of his or her creditable service shall receive a service retirement allowance.

Upon retirement for disability, as provided in RCW 41.40.200, a member who has not attained age sixty shall receive the following benefits, subject to the provisions of RCW 41.40.310 and 41.40.320:

(1) A disability retirement pension of two-thirds of his or her average final compensation to his or her attainment of age sixty, subject to the provisions of RCW 41.40.310. The disability retirement pension provided by the employer shall not exceed forty-two hundred dollars per annum, and

(2) Upon attainment of age sixty, the disabled member shall receive a service retirement allowance as provided in RCW 41.40.210. The department shall grant the disabled member membership service for the period of time prior to age sixty he or she was out of such service due to disability.

(3) During the period a disabled member is receiving a disability pension, as provided for in subsection (1) of this section, his or her contributions to the employees' savings fund shall be suspended and his or her balance in the employees' savings fund, standing to his or her credit as of the date his or her disability pension is to begin, shall remain in the employees' savings fund. If the disabled member should die before attaining age sixty, while a disability beneficiary, upon receipt by the department of proper proof of death, the member's accumulated contributions standing to his or her credit in the employees' savings fund, shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as he or she shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit in the employees' savings fund shall be paid to his or her surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, then to the member's legal representative.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 271: See note following RCW 41.32.260.

(1) Subject to the provisions of RCW 41.40.310 and 41.40.320, upon application of a member, or his or her employer, a member who has been an employee at least five years, and who becomes totally and permanently incapacitated for duty as the result of causes occurring not in the performance of his or her duty, may be retired by the department, subject to the following conditions:

(a) That the medical adviser, after a medical examination of the member made by or under the direction of the medical adviser, shall certify in writing that the member is mentally or physically incapacitated for the further performance of duty, that the incapacity is likely to be permanent, and that the member should be retired; and

(b) That the department concurs in the recommendation of the medical adviser.

(2) The retirement for disability of a judge, who is a member of the retirement system and who has been an employee at least five years, by the supreme court under Article IV, section 31 of the Constitution of the state of Washington (Amendment 71), with the concurrence of the department, shall be considered a retirement under subsection (1) of this section.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

(1) Upon retirement, a member shall receive a nonduty disability retirement allowance equal to two percent of average final compensation for each service credit year of service: PROVIDED, That this allowance shall be reduced by two percent of itself for each year or fraction thereof that his or her age is less than fifty-five years: PROVIDED FURTHER, That in no case may the allowance provided by this section exceed sixty percent of average final compensation.

(2) If the recipient of a retirement allowance under this section dies before the total of the retirement allowance paid to the recipient equals the amount of the accumulated contributions at the date of retirement, then the balance shall be paid to the member's estate, or the person or persons, trust, or organization as the recipient has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the director or, if there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of the recipient's death, then to the surviving spouse or, if there is neither a designated person or persons still living at the time of his or her death nor a surviving spouse, then to his or her legal representative.

Findings—Effective dates—1991 c 343: See notes following RCW 41.50.005.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

An individual who was a member on February 25, 1972, may upon qualifying pursuant to RCW 41.40.230, make an irrevocable election to receive the nonduty disability retirement allowance provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section subject to the provisions of RCW 41.40.310 and 41.40.320. Upon attaining or becoming disabled after age sixty the member shall receive a service retirement allowance as provided for in RCW 41.40.190 except that the annuity portion thereof shall consist of a continuation of the cash refund annuity previously provided to him or her. The disability retirement allowance prior to age sixty shall consist of:

(1) A cash refund annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of the member's accumulated contributions at the time of his or her retirement; and

(2) A pension, in addition to the annuity, equal to one one-hundredth of the member's average final compensation for each year of service. If the recipient of a retirement allowance under this section dies before the total of the annuity portions of the retirement allowance paid to him or her equals the amount of his or her accumulated contributions at the date of retirement, then the balance shall be paid to the member's estate, or the person or persons, trust, or organization as he or she shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department, or if there is no designated person or persons, still living at the time of his or her death, then to his or her surviving spouse, or if there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of his or her death nor a surviving spouse, then to his or her legal representatives.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Nonduty disability retirement allowance—1972 act: See RCW 41.40.235.

Subject to the provisions of RCW 41.40.280, should a member cease to be an employee, he or she may request upon a form provided by the department a refund of all or part of the funds standing to his or her credit in the employees' savings fund and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Withdrawal of all or part of the funds, other than additional contributions under RCW 41.40.330(2) by a member who is eligible for a service retirement allowance in RCW 41.40.180 or a disability retirement allowance in RCW 41.40.200, 41.40.210, 41.40.220, 41.40.230, or 41.40.250 shall constitute a waiver of any service or disability retirement allowance.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 271: See note following RCW 41.32.260.

Any active member or separated member who was not eligible to restore contributions under section 3, chapter 317, Laws of 1986, solely because he or she was an elected official, other than an elected official under Articles II or III of the Constitution of the state of Washington, shall be permitted to restore withdrawn contributions for periods of nonelected service no later than June 30, 1994, with interest as determined by the director.

(1) Except as specified in subsection (4) of this section, should a member die before the date of retirement the amount of the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit in the employees' savings fund, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670, at the time of death:

(a) Shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department; or

(b) If there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, or if a member fails to file a new beneficiary designation subsequent to marriage, remarriage, dissolution of marriage, divorce, or reestablishment of membership following termination by withdrawal or retirement, such accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670, shall be paid to the surviving spouse as if in fact such spouse had been nominated by written designation as aforesaid, or if there be no such surviving spouse, then to the member's legal representatives.

(2) Upon the death of any member who is qualified but has not applied for a service retirement allowance or has completed ten years of service at the time of death, the designated beneficiary, or the surviving spouse as provided in subsection (1) of this section, may elect to waive the payment provided by subsection (1) of this section. Upon such an election, a joint and one hundred percent survivor option under RCW 41.40.188, calculated under the retirement allowance described in RCW 41.40.185 or 41.40.190, whichever is greater, actuarially reduced, except under subsection (5) of this section, by the amount of any lump sum benefit identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 shall automatically be given effect as if selected for the benefit of the designated beneficiary. If the member is not then qualified for a service retirement allowance, such benefit shall be based upon the actuarial equivalent of the sum necessary to pay the accrued regular retirement allowance commencing when the deceased member would have first qualified for a service retirement allowance.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section, unless elected, shall not apply to any member who has applied for service retirement in RCW 41.40.180, as now or hereafter amended, and thereafter dies between the date of separation from service and the member's effective retirement date, where the member has selected a survivorship option under RCW 41.40.188. In those cases the beneficiary named in the member's final application for service retirement may elect to receive either a cash refund, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670, or monthly payments according to the option selected by the member.

(4) If a member dies within sixty days following application for disability retirement under RCW 41.40.230, the beneficiary named in the application may elect to receive the benefit provided by:

(a) This section; or

(b) RCW 41.40.235, according to the option chosen under RCW 41.40.188 in the disability application.

(5) The retirement allowance of a member who is killed in the course of employment, as determined by the director of the department of labor and industries, or the retirement allowance of a member who has left the employ of an employer due to service in the national guard or military reserves and dies while honorably serving in the national guard or military reserves during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005, is not subject to an actuarial reduction. The member's retirement allowance is computed under RCW 41.40.185.

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2009 c 111 s 1 and by 2009 c 226 s 11, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Applicability—2003 c 155: See note following RCW 41.32.520.

Effective date—1997 c 73: See note following RCW 41.32.520.

Severability—1991 c 365: See note following RCW 41.50.500.

Findings—1990 c 249: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

The department may, in its discretion, withhold payment of all or part of a member's contributions for not more than six months after a member has ceased to be an employee. A member who files a request for a refund and subsequently enters into employment with an employer prior to the refund being made shall not be eligible for a refund. For purposes of this section, a written or oral employment agreement shall be considered entering into employment.

Findings—1994 c 177: See note following RCW 41.50.125.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Any amounts which may be paid or payable under the provisions of any workers' compensation, or pension, or similar law on account of any disability shall be offset against and payable in lieu of any benefits payable from funds provided by the employer under the provisions of this chapter on account of the same disability.

Intent—Severability—1987 c 185: See notes following RCW 51.12.130.

Once each year during the first five years following the retirement of a member on a disability pension or retirement allowance, and at least once in every three year period thereafter the department may, and upon the member's application shall, require any disability beneficiary, who has not attained age sixty years, to undergo a medical examination; such examination to be made by or under the direction of the medical adviser at the place of residence of the beneficiary, or other place mutually agreed upon. Should any disability beneficiary, who has not attained age sixty years, refuse to submit to a medical examination in any period, his or her disability pension or retirement allowance may be discontinued until his or her withdrawal of the refusal, and should the refusal continue for one year, all his or her rights in and to his or her disability pension, or retirement allowance, may be revoked by the department. If upon a medical examination of a disability beneficiary, the medical adviser reports and his or her report is concurred in by the department, that the disability beneficiary is no longer totally incapacitated for duty as the result of the injury or illness for which the disability was granted, or that he or she is engaged in a gainful occupation, his or her disability pension or retirement allowance shall cease.

If the disability beneficiary resumes a gainful occupation and his or her compensation is less than his or her compensation earnable at the date of disability, the department shall continue the disability benefits in an amount which when added to his or her compensation does not exceed his or her compensation earnable at the date of separation, but the disability benefit shall in no event exceed the disability benefit originally awarded. The compensation earnable at the date of separation shall be adjusted July 1 of each year by the ratio of the average consumer price index (Seattle, Washington area) for urban consumers, compiled by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, for the calendar year prior to the adjustment to the average consumer price index for the calendar year in which separation from service occurred but in no event shall the adjustment result in an amount lower than the original compensation earnable at the date of separation.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Severability—1984 c 184: See note following RCW 41.50.150.

Severability—Effective date—1982 c 163: See notes following RCW 2.10.052.

A disability beneficiary who has been or shall be reinstated to active service shall from the date of restoration again become a member of the retirement system; and shall contribute to the retirement system in the same manner as prior to the disability retirement. Any prior service and membership service, on the basis of which retirement allowances were computed at the time of retirement, shall be restored to full force and effect, and, except in the case of retirement for nonduty disability as provided in RCW 41.40.230, he or she shall be given membership service for the period of time out of service due to the disability.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

(1) Each employee who is a member of the retirement system shall contribute six percent of his or her total compensation earnable. Effective January 1, 1987, however, no contributions are required for any calendar month in which the member is not granted service credit. The officer responsible for making up the payroll shall deduct from the compensation of each member, on each and every payroll of such member for each and every payroll period subsequent to the date on which he or she became a member of the retirement system the contribution as provided by this section.

(2) Any member may, pursuant to regulations formulated from time to time by the department, provide for himself or herself, by means of an increased rate of contribution to his or her account in the employees' savings fund, an increased prospective retirement allowance pursuant to RCW 41.40.190 and 41.40.185.

(3) The officer responsible for making up the payroll shall deduct from the compensation of each member covered by the provisions of RCW 41.40.190(5) and 41.40.185(4) on each and every payroll of such member for each and every payroll period subsequent to the date on which he or she thereafter becomes a member of the retirement system, an amount equal to seven and one-half percent of such member's compensation earnable.

Findings—1990 c 8: See note following RCW 41.50.065.

Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 190: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 271: See note following RCW 41.32.260.

Severability—1969 c 128: See note following RCW 41.40.010.

Members' retirement contributions—Payment by employer: RCW 41.04.445.

Any labor guild, association, or organization qualifying as an employer under this chapter and which is required to make contributions for an elective official qualifying for membership under RCW 41.40.023(11) shall make contributions as any other employer within this chapter: PROVIDED, That the department shall cause an actuarial computation to be made of all prior service liability for which contributions are required from the employer to be computed on an actual dollar basis, and if the department determines that the contributions being made therefor under this chapter are insufficient to defray any cost to the state, the department shall require additional contributions from the employer in amounts and at times as will defray all costs to the state, the additional contributions to be completed within ten years from the date the elective official is accepted by the department.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

(1) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.185, the retirement allowance payable for service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, for a member who elects to participate under RCW 41.40.124(1), shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service earned after the date of the election. The total retirement benefit accrued or purchased under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to the election shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.

(2) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.185, the retirement allowance payable for service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, for those justices or judges newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service after January 1, 2007. The total retirement benefits accrued under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to January 1, 2007, shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

(1) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.185, the retirement allowance payable for service as a district court judge or municipal court judge, for those judges who elected to participate under RCW 41.40.127(1), shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service earned after the election. The total retirement benefit accrued or purchased under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to the election shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.

(2) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.185, the retirement allowance payable for service as a district court judge, or municipal court judge, for those judges newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, and who are not eligible for membership under chapter 41.28 RCW, shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service after January 1, 2007. The total retirement benefits accrued under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to January 1, 2007, shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

RCW 41.40.620 through 41.40.750 shall apply only to plan 2 members.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Legislative direction and placement—1977 ex.s. c 295: "Sections 1 through 15 of this 1977 amendatory act shall be added to chapter 41.40 RCW and shall be codified as consecutive sections of the Revised Code of Washington within such chapter." [ 1977 ex.s. c 295 s 23.]

Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: "Section headings used in this 1977 amendatory act shall not constitute any part of the law." [ 1977 ex.s. c 295 s 22.]

A member of the retirement system shall receive a retirement allowance equal to two percent of such member's average final compensation for each service credit year of service.

Findings—Effective dates—1991 c 343: See notes following RCW 41.50.005.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) On or after June 10, 1982, the director may pay a member eligible to receive a retirement allowance or the member's beneficiary, subject to the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, a lump sum payment in lieu of a monthly benefit if the initial monthly benefit computed in accordance with RCW 41.40.620 would be less than fifty dollars. The lump sum payment shall be the greater of the actuarial equivalent of the monthly benefits or an amount equal to the individual's accumulated contributions plus accrued interest.

(2) A retiree or a beneficiary, subject to the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, who is receiving a regular monthly benefit of less than fifty dollars may request, in writing, to convert from a monthly benefit to a lump sum payment. If the director approves the conversion, the calculation of the actuarial equivalent of the total estimated regular benefit will be computed based on the beneficiary's age at the time the benefit initially accrued. The lump sum payment will be reduced to reflect any payments received on or after the initial benefit accrual date.

(3) Persons covered under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section may upon returning to member status reinstate all previous service by depositing the lump sum payment received, with interest as computed by the director, within two years of returning to service or prior to re-retiring, whichever comes first. In computing the amount due, the director shall exclude the accumulated value of the normal payments the member would have received while in beneficiary status if the lump sum payment had not occurred.

(4) If a member fails to meet the time limitations under subsection (3) of this section, reinstatement of all previous service will occur if the member pays the amount required under RCW 41.50.165(2). The amount, however, shall exclude the accumulated value of the normal payments the member would have received while in beneficiary status if the lump sum payment had not occurred.

(5) Only persons entitled to or receiving a service retirement allowance under RCW 41.40.620 or an earned disability allowance under RCW 41.40.670 qualify for participation under this section.

(6) It is the intent of the legislature that any member who receives a settlement under this section shall be deemed to be retired from this system.

Intent—Severability—Effective date—1994 c 197: See notes following RCW 41.50.165.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

(1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member with at least five service credit years who has attained at least age sixty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620.

(2) EARLY RETIREMENT. Any member who has completed at least twenty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.

(3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT.

(a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.

(b)(i) On or after July 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows:

(ii) Any member who retired on or after September 1, 2008, and chose the three percent per year reduction provided under (a) of this subsection shall have a retirement allowance recalculated under the reductions of (b)(i) of this subsection for benefit payments made on or after January 1, 2024.

(c) Members who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013, are not eligible for the alternate early retirement provisions of (a) or (b) of this subsection. Any member who first becomes employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013, and has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.620, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by five percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.

Intent—Effective date—2023 c 410: See notes following RCW 41.32.765.

Benefits not contractual right until July 1, 2008—2007 c 491: "The new benefits provided pursuant to sections 9(3)(b) and 10(3)(b), chapter 491, Laws of 2007 are not provided to employees as a matter of contractual right prior to July 1, 2008, and will not become a contractual right thereafter if the repeal of chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law. The legislature retains the right to alter or abolish these benefits at any time prior to July 1, 2008." [ 2007 c 491 s 16.]

Severability—Conflict with federal requirements—2007 c 491: See notes following RCW 41.32.765.

Findings—Effective dates—1991 c 343: See notes following RCW 41.50.005.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) Upon application of the member, a member who is diagnosed with a terminal illness shall be removed from the system subject to the following conditions:

(a) That the medical adviser, after a medical examination of the member made by or under the direction of the medical adviser, has certified in writing that the member has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of five or fewer years; and

(b) That the director concurs in the recommendation of the medical adviser.

(2) Members removed from the system shall not make contributions and shall not accumulate additional service credit.

(3) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to this benefit not granted prior to that amendment or repeal.

Effective date—2005 c 131: See note following RCW 41.40.823.

Beginning July 1, 1979, and every year thereafter, the department shall determine the following information for each retired member or beneficiary whose retirement allowance has been in effect for at least one year:

(1) The original dollar amount of the retirement allowance;

(2) The index for the calendar year prior to the effective date of the retirement allowance, to be known as "index A";

(3) The index for the calendar year prior to the date of determination, to be known as "index B"; and

(4) The ratio obtained when index B is divided by index A.

The value of the ratio obtained shall be the annual adjustment to the original retirement allowance and shall be applied beginning with the July payment. In no event, however, shall the annual adjustment:

(a) Produce a retirement allowance which is lower than the original retirement allowance;

(b) Exceed three percent in the initial annual adjustment; or

(c) Differ from the previous year's annual adjustment by more than three percent.

For the purposes of this section, "index" means, for any calendar year, that year's average consumer price index—Seattle, Washington area for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items, compiled by the bureau of labor statistics, United States department of labor.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) Upon retirement for service as prescribed in RCW 41.40.630 or retirement for disability under RCW 41.40.670, a member shall elect to have the retirement allowance paid pursuant to one of the following options, calculated so as to be actuarially equivalent to each other.

(a) Standard allowance. A member electing this option shall receive a retirement allowance payable throughout such member's life. However, if the retiree dies before the total of the retirement allowance paid to such retiree equals the amount of such retiree's accumulated contributions at the time of retirement, then the balance shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the retiree shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department; or if there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the retiree's death, then to the surviving spouse; or if there be neither such designated person or persons still living at the time of death nor a surviving spouse, then to the retiree's legal representative.

(b) The department shall adopt rules that allow a member to select a retirement option that pays the member a reduced retirement allowance and upon death, such portion of the member's reduced retirement allowance as the department by rule designates shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to a person nominated by the member by written designation duly executed and filed with the department at the time of retirement. The options adopted by the department shall include, but are not limited to, a joint and one hundred percent survivor option and a joint and fifty percent survivor option.

(2)(a) A member, if married, must provide the written consent of his or her spouse to the option selected under this section, except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection. If a member is married and both the member and the member's spouse do not give written consent to an option under this section, the department shall pay a joint and fifty percent survivor benefit calculated to be actuarially equivalent to the benefit options available under subsection (1) of this section unless spousal consent is not required as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection.

(b) Written consent from a spouse or domestic partner is not required if a member who is married or a domestic partner selects a joint and survivor option under subsection (1)(b) of this section and names the member's spouse or domestic partner as the survivor beneficiary.

(c) If a copy of a dissolution order designating a survivor beneficiary under RCW 41.50.790 has been filed with the department at least thirty days prior to a member's retirement:

(i) The department shall honor the designation as if made by the member under subsection (1) of this section; and

(ii) The spousal consent provisions of (a) of this subsection do not apply.

(3)(a) Any member who retired before January 1, 1996, and who elected to receive a reduced retirement allowance under subsection (1)(b) or (2) of this section is entitled to receive a retirement allowance adjusted in accordance with (b) of this subsection, if they meet the following conditions:

(i) The retiree's designated beneficiary predeceases or has predeceased the retiree; and

(ii) The retiree provides to the department proper proof of the designated beneficiary's death.

(b) The retirement allowance payable to the retiree, as of July 1, 1998, or the date of the designated beneficiary's death, whichever comes last, shall be increased by the percentage derived in (c) of this subsection.

(c) The percentage increase shall be derived by the following:

(i) One hundred percent multiplied by the result of (c)(ii) of this subsection converted to a percent;

(ii) Subtract one from the reciprocal of the appropriate joint and survivor option factor;

(iii) The joint and survivor option factor shall be from the table in effect as of July 1, 1998.

(d) The adjustment under (b) of this subsection shall accrue from the beginning of the month following the date of the designated beneficiary's death or from July 1, 1998, whichever comes last.

(4) No later than July 1, 2001, the department shall adopt rules that allow a member additional actuarially equivalent survivor benefit options, and shall include, but are not limited to:

(a)(i) A retired member who retired without designating a survivor beneficiary shall have the opportunity to designate their spouse from a postretirement marriage as a survivor during a one-year period beginning one year after the date of the postretirement marriage provided the retirement allowance payable to the retiree is not subject to periodic payments pursuant to a property division obligation as provided for in RCW 41.50.670.

(ii) A member who entered into a postretirement marriage prior to the effective date of the rules adopted pursuant to this subsection and satisfies the conditions of (a)(i) of this subsection shall have one year to designate their spouse as a survivor beneficiary following the adoption of the rules.

(b) A retired member who elected to receive a reduced retirement allowance under this section and designated a nonspouse as survivor beneficiary shall have the opportunity to remove the survivor designation and have their future benefit adjusted.

(c) The department may make an additional charge, if necessary, to ensure that the benefits provided under this subsection remain actuarially equivalent.

(5) No later than July 1, 2003, the department shall adopt rules to permit:

(a) A court-approved property settlement incident to a court decree of dissolution made before retirement to provide that benefits payable to a member who meets the length of service requirements of RCW 41.40.720 and the member's divorcing spouse be divided into two separate benefits payable over the life of each spouse.

The member shall have available the benefit options of subsection (1) of this section upon retirement, and if remarried at the time of retirement remains subject to the spousal consent requirements of subsection (2) of this section. Any reductions of the member's benefit subsequent to the division into two separate benefits shall be made solely to the separate benefit of the member.

The nonmember ex spouse shall be eligible to commence receiving their separate benefit upon reaching the age provided in RCW 41.40.630(1) and after filing a written application with the department.

(b) A court-approved property settlement incident to a court decree of dissolution made after retirement may only divide the benefit into two separate benefits payable over the life of each spouse if the nonmember ex spouse was selected as a survivor beneficiary at retirement.

The retired member may later choose the survivor benefit options available in subsection (4) of this section. Any actuarial reductions subsequent to the division into two separate benefits shall be made solely to the separate benefit of the member.

Both the retired member and the nonmember divorced spouse shall be eligible to commence receiving their separate benefits upon filing a copy of the dissolution order with the department in accordance with RCW 41.50.670.

(c) The department may make an additional charge or adjustment if necessary to ensure that the separate benefits provided under this subsection are actuarially equivalent to the benefits payable prior to the decree of dissolution.

(6) Beginning on the date that the state receives a determination from the federal internal revenue service that this subsection (6) conforms with federal law, retirees have up to ninety calendar days after the receipt of their first retirement allowance to change their survivor election under subsections (1) and (2) of this section. If a member changes the member's survivor election under this subsection the change is effective the first of the following month and is prospective only.

Effective date—1998 c 340: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Findings—1990 c 249: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) A member of the retirement system who becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer as determined by the department upon recommendation of the department shall be eligible to receive an allowance under the provisions of RCW 41.40.610 through 41.40.740. The member shall receive a monthly disability allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.40.620 and shall have this allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at disability and the attainment of age sixty-five.

Any member who receives an allowance under the provisions of this section shall be subject to comprehensive medical examinations as required by the department. If these medical examinations reveal that a member has recovered from the incapacitating disability and the member is offered reemployment by an employer at a comparable compensation, the member shall cease to be eligible for the allowance.

(2) The retirement for disability of a judge, who is a member of the retirement system, by the supreme court under Article IV, section 31 of the Constitution of the state of Washington (Amendment 71), with the concurrence of the department, shall be considered a retirement under subsection (1) of this section.

(3)(a) If the recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section dies before the total of the retirement allowance paid to the recipient equals the amount of the accumulated contributions at the date of retirement, then the balance shall be paid to the member's estate, or the person or persons, trust, or organization as the recipient has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the director, or, if there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of the recipient's death, then to the surviving spouse, or, if there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of his or her death nor a surviving spouse, then to his or her legal representative.

(b) If a recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section died before April 27, 1989, and before the total of the retirement allowance paid to the recipient equaled the amount of his or her accumulated contributions at the date of retirement, then the department shall pay the balance of the accumulated contributions to the member's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, then in equal shares to the member's children. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the department shall retain the contributions.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Findings—1990 c 249: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

Any member or beneficiary eligible to receive a retirement allowance under the provisions of RCW 41.40.630, 41.40.670, or 41.40.700 shall be eligible to commence receiving a retirement allowance after having filed written application with the department.

(1) Retirement allowances paid to members under the provisions of RCW 41.40.630 shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such member's separation from employment.

(2) Retirement allowances paid to vested members no longer in service, but qualifying for such an allowance pursuant to RCW 41.40.630, shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such qualification.

(3) Disability allowances paid to disabled members under the provisions of RCW 41.40.670 shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such member's separation from employment for disability.

(4) Retirement allowances paid as death benefits under the provisions of RCW 41.40.700 shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following the member's death.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) Except as provided in RCW 41.40.037, no retiree under the provisions of plan 2 shall be eligible to receive such retiree's monthly retirement allowance if he or she is employed in an eligible position as defined in RCW 41.40.010, 41.32.010, 41.37.010, or 41.35.010, or as a law enforcement officer or firefighter as defined in RCW 41.26.030, except that a retiree who ends his or her membership in the retirement system pursuant to RCW 41.40.023(3)(b) is not subject to this section if the retiree's only employment is as an elective official of a city or town.

(2) If a retiree's benefits have been suspended under this section, his or her benefits shall be reinstated when the retiree terminates the employment that caused his or her benefits to be suspended. Upon reinstatement, the retiree's benefits shall be actuarially recomputed pursuant to the rules adopted by the department.

(3) The department shall adopt rules implementing this section.

Effective date—2004 c 242: See RCW 41.37.901.

Effective date—1998 c 341: See RCW 41.35.901.

Intent—Construction—Application—1997 c 254: See notes following RCW 41.26.490.

Application—Reservation—1991 c 35; 1990 c 274 ss 11, 12, 14, and 15: "Beginning on June 7, 1990, the 1990 amendments to RCW 41.40.690, 41.26.500, 41.32.800, and 2.10.155 regarding postretirement employment are available prospectively to all members of the retirement systems defined in RCW 2.10.040, 41.26.005(2), 41.32.005(2), and 41.40.005(2), regardless of the member's date of retirement. The legislature reserves the right to revoke or amend the 1990 amendments to RCW 41.40.690, 41.26.500, 41.32.800, and 2.10.155. The 1990 amendments to RCW 41.40.690, 41.26.500, 41.32.800, and 2.10.155 do not grant a contractual right to the members or retirees of the affected systems." [ 1991 c 35 s 11; 1990 c 274 s 19.]

Findings—Construction—1990 c 274: See notes following RCW 41.32.010.

Effective date—1988 c 109: See note following RCW 2.10.030.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) Except as provided in RCW 11.07.010, if a member or a vested member who has not completed at least ten years of service dies, the amount of the accumulated contributions standing to such member's credit in the retirement system at the time of such member's death, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670, shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, such member's accumulated contributions standing to such member's credit in the retirement system, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670, shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse as if in fact such spouse had been nominated by written designation, or if there be no such surviving spouse, then to such member's legal representatives.

(2) If a member who is eligible for retirement or a member who has completed at least ten years of service dies, the surviving spouse or eligible child or children shall elect to receive one of the following:

(a) A retirement allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.40.630, actuarially reduced by the amount of any lump sum benefit identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 and actuarially adjusted to reflect a joint and one hundred percent survivor option under RCW 41.40.660 and, except under subsection (4) of this section, if the member was not eligible for normal retirement at the date of death a further reduction as described in RCW 41.40.630; if a surviving spouse who is receiving a retirement allowance dies leaving a child or children of the member under the age of majority, then such child or children shall continue to receive an allowance in an amount equal to that which was being received by the surviving spouse, share and share alike, until such child or children reach the age of majority; if there is no surviving spouse eligible to receive an allowance at the time of the member's death, such member's child or children under the age of majority shall receive an allowance share and share alike calculated as herein provided making the assumption that the ages of the spouse and member were equal at the time of the member's death;

(b) The member's accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670; or

(c) For a member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and who dies after January 1, 2007, while honorably serving in the uniformed services of the United States in Operation Enduring Freedom or Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom, an amount equal to two hundred percent of the member's accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670.

(3) If a member who is eligible for retirement or a member who has completed at least ten years of service dies after October 1, 1977, and is not survived by a spouse or an eligible child, then the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670, shall be paid:

(a) To a person or persons, estate, trust, or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department; or

(b) If there is no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, then to the member's legal representatives.

(4) A member who is killed in the course of employment, as determined by the director of the department of labor and industries, or a member who has left the employ of an employer due to service in the national guard or military reserves and dies while honorably serving in the national guard or military reserves during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005, is not subject to an actuarial reduction under RCW 41.40.630. The member's retirement allowance is computed under RCW 41.40.620.

Applicability—2003 c 155: See note following RCW 41.32.520.

Severability—1991 c 365: See note following RCW 41.50.500.

Findings—1990 c 249: See note following RCW 2.10.146.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) A member who is on a paid leave of absence authorized by a member's employer shall continue to receive service credit as provided for under the provisions of RCW 41.40.610 through 41.40.740.

(2) A member who receives compensation from an employer while on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an elected official of a labor organization, and whose employer is reimbursed by the labor organization for the compensation paid to the member during the period of absence, may also be considered to be on a paid leave of absence. This subsection shall only apply if the member's leave of absence is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement that provides that the member retains seniority rights with the employer during the period of leave. The compensation earnable reported for a member who establishes service credit under this subsection may not be greater than the salary paid to the highest paid job class covered by the collective bargaining agreement.

(3) Except as specified in subsection (4) of this section, a member shall be eligible to receive a maximum of two years service credit during a member's entire working career for those periods when a member is on an unpaid leave of absence authorized by an employer. Such credit may be obtained only if:

(a) The member makes both the plan 2 employer and member contributions plus interest as determined by the department for the period of the authorized leave of absence within five years of resumption of service or prior to retirement whichever comes sooner; or

(b) If not within five years of resumption of service but prior to retirement, pay the amount required under RCW 41.50.165(2).

The contributions required under (a) of this subsection shall be based on the average of the member's compensation earnable at both the time the authorized leave of absence was granted and the time the member resumed employment.

(4) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States shall be entitled to retirement system service credit for up to five years of military service. This subsection shall be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the federal uniformed services employment and reemployment rights act.

(a) The member qualifies for service credit under this subsection if:

(i) Within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge from the uniformed services of the United States, the member applies for reemployment with the employer who employed the member immediately prior to the member entering the uniformed services; and

(ii) The member makes the employee contributions required under RCW 41.45.061 and 41.45.067 within five years of resumption of service or prior to retirement, whichever comes sooner; or

(iii) Prior to retirement and not within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge or five years of resumption of service the member pays the amount required under RCW 41.50.165(2); or

(iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005. Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service in a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.

(b) Upon receipt of member contributions under (a)(ii), (d)(iii), or (e)(iii) of this subsection, or adequate proof under (a)(iv), (d)(iv), or (e)(iv) of this subsection, the department shall establish the member's service credit and shall bill the employer for its contribution required under RCW 41.45.060, 41.45.061, and 41.45.067 for the period of military service, plus interest as determined by the department.

(c) The contributions required under (a)(ii), (d)(iii), or (e)(iii) of this subsection shall be based on the compensation the member would have earned if not on leave, or if that cannot be estimated with reasonable certainty, the compensation reported for the member in the year prior to when the member went on military leave.

(d) The surviving spouse or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and died while serving in the uniformed services may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in the uniformed services. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children:

(i) Provides to the director proof of the member's death while serving in the uniformed services;

(ii) Provides to the director proof of the member's honorable service in the uniformed services prior to the date of death; and

(iii) Pays the employee contributions required under chapter 41.45 RCW within five years of the date of death or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or

(iv) Prior to the distribution of any benefit, provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005. If the deceased member made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005, the surviving spouse or eligible child or children may, prior to the distribution of any benefit and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to the deceased member's credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to the surviving spouse or eligible child or children. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.

(e) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while serving in the uniformed services is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of discharge from the uniformed services if:

(i) The member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while serving in the uniformed services;

(ii) The member provides to the director proof of honorable discharge from the uniformed services; and

(iii) The member pays the employee contributions required under chapter 41.45 RCW within five years of the director's determination of total disability or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or

(iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005. Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service credit during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.

Intent—Severability—Effective date—1994 c 197: See notes following RCW 41.50.165.

Retroactive application—Effective date—1993 c 95: See notes following RCW 41.40.175.

Retroactive application—1992 c 119: See note following RCW 41.26.520.

Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

A member who separates or has separated after having completed at least five years of service may remain a member during the period of such member's absence from service for the exclusive purpose only of receiving a retirement allowance under the provisions of RCW 41.40.630 if such member maintains the member's accumulated contributions intact.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

A member who ceases to be an employee of an employer except by service or disability retirement may request a refund of the member's accumulated contributions. The refund shall be made within ninety days following the receipt of the request and notification of termination through the contribution reporting system by the employer; except that in the case of death, an initial payment shall be made within thirty days of receipt of request for such payment and notification of termination through the contribution reporting system by the employer. A member who files a request for refund and subsequently enters into employment with another employer prior to the refund being made shall not be eligible for a refund. The refund of accumulated contributions shall terminate all rights to benefits under RCW 41.40.610 through 41.40.740.

Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 52: See note following RCW 2.10.180.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) A member, who had left service and withdrawn the member's accumulated contributions, shall receive service credit for such prior service if the member restores all withdrawn accumulated contributions together with interest since the time of withdrawal as determined by the department.

The restoration of such funds must be completed within five years of the resumption of service or prior to retirement, whichever occurs first.

(2) If a member fails to meet the time limitations of subsection (1) of this section, the member may receive service credit destroyed by the withdrawn contributions if the amount required under RCW 41.50.165(2) is paid.

Intent—Severability—Effective date—1994 c 197: See notes following RCW 41.50.165.

Legislative direction and placement—Section headings—1977 ex.s. c 295: See notes following RCW 41.40.610.

(1) Active members of the Washington state patrol retirement system who have previously established service credit in the public employees' retirement system plan 2 while employed in the state patrol as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer, and who became a commissioned officer after July 1, 2000, and prior to June 30, 2001, have the following options:

(a) Remain a member of the public employees' retirement system; or

(b) Transfer service credit earned under the retirement system as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer to the Washington state patrol retirement system by making an irrevocable choice filed in writing with the department of retirement systems within one year of the department's announcement of the ability to make such a transfer.

(2)(a) Any commissioned officer choosing to transfer under this section shall have transferred from the retirement system to the Washington state patrol retirement system:

(i) All the employee's applicable accumulated contributions plus interest, and an equal amount of employer contributions attributed to such employee; and

(ii) All applicable months of service as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer credited to the employee under this chapter as though that service was rendered as a member of the Washington state patrol retirement system.

(b) For the applicable period of service, the employee shall pay:

(i) The difference between the contributions the employee paid to the retirement system, and the contributions which would have been paid by the employee had the employee been a member of the Washington state patrol retirement system, plus interest as determined by the director. This payment shall be made no later than December 31, 2010, or the date of retirement, whichever comes first;

(ii) The difference between the employer contributions paid to the public employees' retirement system, and the employer contributions which would have been payable to the Washington state patrol retirement system; and

(iii) An amount sufficient to ensure that the funding status of the Washington state patrol retirement system will not change due to this transfer.

(c) If the payment required by this subsection is not paid in full by the deadline, the transferred service credit shall not be used to determine eligibility for benefits nor to calculate benefits under the Washington state patrol retirement system. In such case, the employee's accumulated contributions plus interest transferred under this subsection, and any payments made under this subsection, shall be refunded to the employee. The employer shall be entitled to a credit for the employer contributions transferred under this subsection.

(d) An individual who transfers service credit and contributions under this subsection is permanently excluded from the public employees' retirement system for all service as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer.

(1) Active members of the Washington state patrol retirement system who have previously established service credit in the public employees' retirement system plan 2 while employed in the state patrol as either (a) a commercial vehicle enforcement officer who then became a commissioned officer on or before July 16, 2000, or (b) a communications officer who then became a commissioned officer, have the following options:

(i) Remain a member of the public employees' retirement system; or

(ii) Transfer service credit earned under the retirement system as a communications officer or commercial vehicle enforcement officer to the Washington state patrol retirement system by making an irrevocable choice filed in writing with the department of retirement systems within one year of the department's announcement of the ability to make such a transfer.

(2)(a) Any commissioned officer choosing to transfer under this section shall have transferred from the retirement system to the Washington state patrol retirement system:

(i) All the employee's applicable accumulated contributions plus interest, and an equal amount of employer contributions attributed to that employee; and

(ii) All applicable months of service as a communications officer or commercial vehicle enforcement officer credited to the employee under this chapter as though that service was rendered as a member of the Washington state patrol retirement system.

(b) For the applicable period of service, the employee shall pay:

(i) The difference between the contributions the employee paid to the retirement system and the contributions that would have been paid by the employee had the employee been a member of the Washington state patrol retirement system, plus interest as determined by the director. This payment shall be made no later than December 31, 2019, or the date of retirement, whichever comes first;

(ii) The difference between the employer contributions paid to the public employees' retirement system, and the employer contributions that would have been payable to the Washington state patrol retirement system; and

(iii) An amount sufficient to ensure that the funding status of the Washington state patrol retirement system will not change due to this transfer.

(c) If the payment required by this subsection is not paid in full by the deadline, the transferred service credit shall not be used to determine eligibility for benefits nor to calculate benefits under the Washington state patrol retirement system. In such a case, the employee's accumulated contributions plus interest transferred under this subsection, and any payments made under this subsection, shall be refunded to the employee. The employer shall be entitled to a credit for the employer contributions transferred under this subsection.

(d) An individual who transfers service credit and contributions under this subsection is permanently excluded from the public employees' retirement system for all service as a communications officer or commercial vehicle enforcement officer.

(1) Effective September 1, 2000, the membership of all plan 2 members currently employed in eligible positions in a school district or educational service district and all plan 2 service credit for such members, is transferred to the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2. Plan 2 members who have withdrawn their member contributions for prior plan 2 service may restore contributions and service credit to the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2 as provided under RCW 41.40.740.

(2)(a) The membership and previous service credit of a plan 2 member not employed in an eligible position on September 1, 2000, will be transferred to the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2 when he or she becomes employed in an eligible position prior to August 1, 2009. Plan 2 members not employed in an eligible position on September 1, 2000, who have withdrawn their member contributions for prior plan 2 service may restore contributions and service credit to the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2 as provided under RCW 41.40.740, if they first establish eligibility in the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2 prior to August 1, 2009.

(b) The membership and previous service credit of a plan 2 member last employed by a school district or educational service district and retired prior to September 1, 2000, will be transferred to the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2 if the member opts to reestablish membership prior to August 1, 2009.

(3) Members who restore contributions and service credit under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall have their contributions and service credit transferred to the Washington school employees' retirement system.

(4) From September 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, upon written request to the department, active and inactive members transferred under subsection (2) of this section who did not establish membership and earn service credit for employment with a school district or educational service district prior to the transfer, and who have not transferred to plan 3 of the Washington school employees' retirement system or plan 3 of the public employees' retirement system, may restore their transferred membership and previous service credit to plan 2. All previously transferred contributions and interest, and additional interest as determined by the department, shall be returned to plan 2. An additional amount shall be transferred from the Washington school employees' retirement system sufficient to offset the liabilities returned to plan 2 under this subsection, as determined by the state actuary.

Effective dates—2001 2nd sp.s. c 10: See note following RCW 41.40.037.

Effective date—1998 c 341: See RCW 41.35.901.

(1) Beginning January 1, 2007, any newly elected or appointed supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge shall not participate in the judicial retirement account plan under chapter 2.14 RCW and shall be subject to the benefit and contribution provisions under chapter 189, Laws of 2006.

(2) Beginning January 1, 2007, any newly elected or appointed supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, who has not previously established membership in this system, shall become a member of plan 2 and shall be subject to the benefit and contribution provisions under chapter 189, Laws of 2006.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

(1) Beginning January 1, 2007, any newly elected or appointed district court judge or municipal court judge, who is not eligible for membership under chapter 41.28 RCW, shall be subject to the benefit and contribution provisions under chapter 189, Laws of 2006.

(2) Beginning January 1, 2007, any newly elected or appointed district court judge, or municipal court judge, who has not previously established membership in this system, and who is not eligible for membership under chapter 41.28 RCW, shall become a member of plan 2 and shall be subject to the benefit and contribution provisions under chapter 189, Laws of 2006.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

(1) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.620, the retirement allowance payable for service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, for those justices or judges who elected to participate under RCW 41.40.124(1), shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service earned after the election. The total retirement benefit accrued or purchased under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to the election shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.

(2) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.620, the retirement allowance payable for service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, for those justices or judges newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service after January 1, 2007. The total retirement benefits accrued under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to January 1, 2007, shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

(1) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.620, the retirement allowance payable for service as a district court judge or municipal court judge for those judges who elected to participate under RCW 41.40.127(1) shall be equal to three and one-half percent of the average final compensation for each year of such service earned after the election. The total retirement benefit accrued or purchased under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to the election shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.

(2) In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.620, the retirement allowance payable for service as a district court judge, or municipal court judge, for those judges newly elected or appointed after January 1, 2007, and who are not eligible for membership under chapter 41.28 RCW, shall be equal to three and one-half percent of average final compensation for each year of service after January 1, 2007. The total retirement benefits accrued under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to January 1, 2007, shall not exceed seventy-five percent of average final compensation.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

(1) RCW 41.40.780 through 41.40.850 and 41.40.930 apply only to plan 3 members.

(2) Plan 3 consists of two separate elements: (a) A defined benefit portion covered under this subchapter; and (b) a defined contribution portion covered under chapter 41.34 RCW.

(3) Unless otherwise specified, all references to "plan 3" in this subchapter refer to the defined benefit portion of plan 3.

(1) All employees who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after March 1, 2002, for state agencies or institutes of higher education, or September 1, 2002, for other employers, shall have a period of ninety days to make an irrevocable choice to become a member of plan 2 or plan 3. At the end of ninety days, if the member has not made a choice to become a member of plan 2, he or she becomes a member of plan 3 or plan 2 as follows:

(a) Becomes a member of plan 3 if first employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after March 1, 2002, but prior to July 1, 2020, for state agencies or institutions of higher education, or on or after September 1, 2002, but prior to July 1, 2020, for other employers;

(b) Becomes a member of plan 2 if first employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2020.

(2) For administrative efficiency, until a member elects to become a member of plan 3, or becomes a member of plan 3 by default pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the member shall be reported to the department in plan 2, with member and employer contributions. Upon becoming a member of plan 3 by election or by default, all service credit shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined benefit, and all employee accumulated contributions shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined contribution account.

Any member receiving or having received a distribution under chapter 41.34 RCW may make an irrevocable choice to waive all rights to a benefit under RCW 41.40.790 by notifying the department in writing of their intention.

Effective date—2003 c 349: See note following RCW 41.32.837.

(1) A member of the retirement system shall receive a retirement allowance equal to one percent of such member's average final compensation for each service credit year.

(2) The retirement allowance payable under RCW 41.40.820 to a member who separates after having completed at least twenty service credit years shall be increased by twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent, compounded for each month from the date of separation to the date that the retirement allowance commences.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Transfer period" means the time during which a member of one of the groups of plan 2 members identified in subsection (2) of this section may choose to irrevocably transfer from plan 2 to plan 3.

(b) "Transfer basis" means the accumulated contributions present in a member's savings fund on March 1, 2002, less fifty percent of any contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.50.165(2), which is the basis for calculation of the plan 2 to plan 3 additional transfer payment.

(c) "Additional transfer payment date" means June 1, 2003, the date of the additional transfer payment made according to subsection (6) of this section.

(2) Every plan 2 member employed by an employer in an eligible position has the option during their transfer period to make an irrevocable transfer to plan 3 according to the following schedule:

(a) For those members employed by state agencies and institutes of higher education the transfer period means the period between March 1, 2002, and September 1, 2002.

(b) For those members employed by other organizations the transfer period means the period between September 1, 2002, and June 1, 2003.

(c) For those members employed by more than one employer within the retirement system, and whose transfer period is different between one employer and another, the member's transfer period is the last period that is available from any of that member's employers within the retirement system.

(3) All service credit in plan 2 shall be transferred to the defined benefit portion of plan 3.

(4)(a) Anyone who first became a state or higher education member of plan 2 before March 1, 2002, or a local government member of plan 2 before September 1, 2002, who wishes to transfer to plan 3 after their transfer period may transfer during the month of January in any following year, provided that the member earns service credit for that month.

(b) Anyone who chose to become a state or higher education member of plan 2 on or after March 1, 2002, or a local government member of plan 2 on or after September 1, 2002, is prohibited from transferring to plan 3 under (a) of this subsection.

(5) The accumulated contributions in plan 2, less fifty percent of any contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.50.165(2) shall be transferred to the member's account in the defined contribution portion established in chapter 41.34 RCW, pursuant to procedures developed by the department and subject to RCW 41.34.090. Contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.50.165(2) that are not transferred to the member's account shall be transferred to the fund created in RCW 41.50.075(3), except that interest earned on all such contributions shall be transferred to the member's account.

(6) Those members employed by state agencies and institutions of higher education who request to transfer under this section during their transfer period and establish service credit for June 2002, and those members employed by other organizations and who establish service credit for either June 2002 or February 2003, shall have their member account:

(a) If a member's transfer period is that described in subsection (2)(a) of this section, increased by one hundred ten percent of the transfer basis;

(b) If a member's transfer period is that described in subsection (2)(b) of this section, increased by one hundred eleven percent of the transfer basis; and

(c) Deposited into the member's individual account on the additional transfer payment date.

(7) If a member who requests to transfer dies before June 1, 2003, the additional payment provided by this section shall be paid to the member's estate, or the person or persons, trust, or organization the member nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department.

(8) Anyone previously retired from plan 2 is prohibited from transferring to plan 3.

(9) The legislature reserves the right to discontinue the right to transfer under this section and to modify and to discontinue the right to an additional payment under this section for any plan 2 members who have not previously transferred to plan 3.

(1) All employees who are not qualified under RCW 41.32.836 and who are first employed by an institution of higher education in a position eligible for participation in old age annuities or retirement income plans under RCW 28B.10.400 on or after July 1, 2011, have a period of thirty days to make an irrevocable choice to:

(a) Become a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 3 under this chapter; or

(b) Participate in the annuities or retirement income plan provided by the institution.

(2) At the end of thirty days, if the member has not made a choice to become a member of the public employees' retirement system, he or she becomes a participant in the institution's plan under RCW 28B.10.400, but does not become eligible for any supplemental benefit under RCW 28B.10.400(1)(c).

Intent—Effective dates—2011 1st sp.s. c 47: See notes following RCW 28B.10.400.

Any member or beneficiary eligible to receive a retirement allowance under the provisions of RCW 41.40.820, 41.40.825, or 41.40.835 is eligible to commence receiving a retirement allowance after having filed written application with the department.

(1) Retirement allowances paid to members shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such member's separation from employment.

(2) Retirement allowances payable to eligible members no longer in service, but qualifying for such an allowance pursuant to RCW 41.40.820 shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such qualification.

(3) Disability allowances paid to disabled members shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following such member's separation from employment for disability.

(4) Retirement allowances paid as death benefits shall accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following the member's death.

(1) A member who is on a paid leave of absence authorized by a member's employer shall continue to receive service credit.

(2) A member who receives compensation from an employer while on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an elected official of a labor organization, and whose employer is reimbursed by the labor organization for the compensation paid to the member during the period of absence, may also be considered to be on a paid leave of absence. This subsection shall only apply if the member's leave of absence is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement that provides that the member retains seniority rights with the employer during the period of leave. The earnable compensation reported for a member who establishes service credit under this subsection may not be greater than the salary paid to the highest paid job class covered by the collective bargaining agreement.

(3) Except as specified in subsection (4) of this section, a member shall be eligible to receive a maximum of two years service credit during a member's entire working career for those periods when a member is on an unpaid leave of absence authorized by an employer. Such credit may be obtained only if:

(a) The member makes the contribution on behalf of the employer, plus interest, as determined by the department; and

(b) The member makes the employee contribution, plus interest, as determined by the department, to the defined contribution portion.

The contributions required shall be based on the average of the member's earnable compensation at both the time the authorized leave of absence was granted and the time the member resumed employment.

(4) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States shall be entitled to retirement system service credit for up to five years of military service if within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge from the uniformed services of the United States, the member applies for reemployment with the employer who employed the member immediately prior to the member entering the uniformed services. This subsection shall be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the federal uniformed services employment and reemployment rights act.

The department shall establish the member's service credit and shall bill the employer for its contribution required under RCW 41.45.060 and 41.45.067 for the period of military service, plus interest as determined by the department. Service credit under this subsection may be obtained only if the member makes the employee contribution to the defined contribution portion as determined by the department, or prior to retirement, the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005. Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.

The contributions required shall be based on the compensation the member would have earned if not on leave, or if that cannot be estimated with reasonable certainty, the compensation reported for the member in the year prior to when the member went on military leave.

(a) The surviving spouse or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and died while serving in the uniformed services may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in the uniformed services. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children:

(i) Provides to the director proof of the member's death while serving in the uniformed services;

(ii) Provides to the director proof of the member's honorable service in the uniformed services prior to the date of death; and

(iii) Pays the employee contributions required under this subsection within five years of the date of death or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or

(iv) Prior to the distribution of any benefit, provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005. If the deceased member made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005, the surviving spouse or eligible child or children may, prior to the distribution of any benefit and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to the deceased member's credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to the surviving spouse or children. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.

(b) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while serving in the uniformed services is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of discharge from the uniformed services if:

(i) The member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while serving in the uniformed services;

(ii) The member provides to the director proof of honorable discharge from the uniformed services; and

(iii) The member pays the employee contributions required under this subsection within five years of the director's determination of total disability or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or

(iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005. Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service credit during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.

(1) Contributions on behalf of the employer paid by the employee to purchase plan 3 service credit shall be allocated to the defined benefit portion of plan 3 and shall not be refundable when paid to the fund described in RCW 41.50.075(3). Contributions on behalf of the employee shall be allocated to the member account. If the member fails to meet the statutory time limitations to purchase plan 3 service credit, it may be purchased under the provisions of RCW 41.50.165(2). One-half of the purchase payments under RCW 41.50.165(2), plus interest, shall be allocated to the member's account.

(2) No purchased plan 3 membership service may be credited until all payments required of the member are made, with interest. Upon receipt of all payments owed by the member, the department shall bill the employer for any contributions, plus interest, required to purchase membership service.

(1) The director may pay a member eligible to receive a retirement allowance or the member's beneficiary a lump sum payment in lieu of a monthly benefit if the initial monthly benefit would be less than one hundred dollars. The one hundred dollar limit shall be increased annually as determined by the director. The lump sum payment shall be the actuarial equivalent of the monthly benefit.

(2) Persons covered under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section may upon returning to member status reinstate all previous service by depositing the lump sum payment received, with interest as computed by the director, within two years of returning to service or prior to retiring again, whichever comes first. In computing the amount due, the director shall exclude the accumulated value of the normal payments the member would have received while in beneficiary status if the lump sum payment had not occurred.

(3) Any member who receives a settlement under this section is deemed to be retired from this system.

(1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member who is at least age sixty-five and who has:

(a) Completed ten service credit years; or

(b) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service credit months after attaining age forty-four; or

(c) Completed five service credit years by the transfer payment date specified in RCW 41.40.795, under the public employees' retirement system plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.40.795;

shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.790.

(2) EARLY RETIREMENT. Any member who has attained at least age fifty-five and has completed at least ten years of service shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.790, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.

(3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT.

(a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.790, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.

(b)(i) On or after July 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.790, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows:

(ii) Any member who retired on or after September 1, 2008, and chose the three percent per year reduction provided under (a) of this subsection shall have a retirement allowance recalculated under the reductions of (b)(i) of this subsection for benefit payments made on or after January 1, 2024.

(c) Members who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013, are not eligible for the alternate early retirement provisions of (a) or (b) of this subsection. Any member who first becomes employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013, and has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.40.790, except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by five percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.

Intent—Effective date—2023 c 410: See notes following RCW 41.32.765.

Benefits not contractual right until July 1, 2008—2007 c 491: See note following RCW 41.40.630.

Severability—Conflict with federal requirements—2007 c 491: See notes following RCW 41.32.765.

(1) Upon application of the member, a member who is diagnosed with a terminal illness shall be removed from membership in the system subject to the following conditions:

(a) That the medical adviser, after a medical examination of the member made by or under the direction of the medical adviser, has certified in writing that the member has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of five or fewer years; and

(b) That the director concurs in the recommendation of the medical adviser.

(2) Members removed from the system shall not make contributions toward a defined contribution account as defined in chapter 41.34 RCW and shall not accumulate additional service credit.

(3) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to this benefit not granted prior to that amendment or repeal.

Effective date—2005 c 131: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 21, 2005]." [ 2005 c 131 s 10.]

(1) A member of the retirement system who becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer as determined by the department shall be eligible to receive an allowance under the provisions of plan 3. The member shall receive a monthly disability allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.40.790 and shall have this allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at disability and the attainment of age sixty-five.

Any member who receives an allowance under the provisions of this section shall be subject to comprehensive medical examinations as required by the department. If these medical examinations reveal that a member has recovered from the incapacitating disability and the member is offered reemployment by an employer at a comparable compensation, the member shall cease to be eligible for the allowance.

(2) If the recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section dies, any further benefit payments shall be conditioned by the payment option selected by the retiree as provided in RCW 41.40.845.

(1) Any member who elects to transfer to plan 3 and has eligible unrestored withdrawn contributions in plan 2, may restore such contributions under the provisions of RCW 41.40.740 with interest as determined by the department. The restored plan 2 service credit will be automatically transferred to plan 3. Restoration payments will be transferred to the member account in plan 3. If the member fails to meet the time limitations of RCW 41.40.740, they may restore such contributions under the provisions of RCW 41.50.165(2). The restored plan 2 service credit will be automatically transferred to plan 3. One-half of the restoration payments under RCW 41.50.165(2) plus interest shall be allocated to the member's account.

(2) Any member who elects to transfer to plan 3 may purchase plan 2 service credit under RCW 41.40.740. Purchased plan 2 service credit will be automatically transferred to plan 3. Contributions on behalf of the employer paid by the employee shall be allocated to the defined benefit portion of plan 3 and shall not be refundable when paid to the fund described in RCW 41.50.075(3). Contributions on behalf of the employee shall be allocated to the member account. If the member fails to meet the time limitations of RCW 41.40.740, they may subsequently restore such contributions under the provisions of RCW 41.50.165(2). Purchased plan 2 service credit will be automatically transferred to plan 3. One-half of the payments under RCW 41.50.165(2), plus interest, shall be allocated to the member's account.

(1) If a member dies prior to retirement, the surviving spouse or eligible child or children shall receive a retirement allowance computed as provided in RCW 41.40.790 actuarially reduced to reflect a joint and one hundred percent survivor option and, except under subsection (2) of this section, if the member was not eligible for normal retirement at the date of death a further reduction as described in RCW 41.40.820.

If the surviving spouse who is receiving the retirement allowance dies leaving a child or children under the age of majority, then such child or children shall continue to receive an allowance in an amount equal to that which was being received by the surviving spouse, share and share alike, until such child or children reach the age of majority.

If there is no surviving spouse eligible to receive an allowance at the time of the member's death, such member's child or children under the age of majority shall receive an allowance, share and share alike. The allowance shall be calculated with the assumption that the age of the spouse and member were equal at the time of the member's death.

(2) A member who is killed in the course of employment, as determined by the director of the department of labor and industries, or a member who has left the employ of an employer due to service in the national guard or military reserves and dies while honorably serving in the national guard or military reserves during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005, is not subject to an actuarial reduction under RCW 41.40.820. The member's retirement allowance is computed under RCW 41.40.790.

Applicability—2003 c 155: See note following RCW 41.32.520.

Beginning July 1, 1979, and every year thereafter, the department shall determine the following information for each retired member or beneficiary whose retirement allowance has been in effect for at least one year:

(1) The original dollar amount of the retirement allowance;

(2) The index for the calendar year prior to the effective date of the retirement allowance, to be known as "index A";

(3) The index for the calendar year prior to the date of determination, to be known as "index B"; and

(4) The ratio obtained when index B is divided by index A.

The value of the ratio obtained shall be the annual adjustment to the original retirement allowance and shall be applied beginning with the July payment. In no event, however, shall the annual adjustment:

(a) Produce a retirement allowance which is lower than the original retirement allowance;

(b) Exceed three percent in the initial annual adjustment; or

(c) Differ from the previous year's annual adjustment by more than three percent.

For the purposes of this section, "index" means, for any calendar year, that year's average consumer price index—Seattle, Washington area for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items, compiled by the bureau of labor statistics, United States department of labor.

(1) Upon retirement for service as prescribed in RCW 41.40.820 or retirement for disability under RCW 41.40.825, a member shall elect to have the retirement allowance paid pursuant to one of the following options, calculated so as to be actuarially equivalent to each other.

(a) Standard allowance. A member electing this option shall receive a retirement allowance payable throughout such member's life. Upon the death of the member, the member's benefits shall cease.

(b) The department shall adopt rules that allow a member to select a retirement option that pays the member a reduced retirement allowance and upon death, such portion of the member's reduced retirement allowance as the department by rule designates shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to a person nominated by the member by written designation duly executed and filed with the department at the time of retirement. The options adopted by the department shall include, but are not limited to, a joint and one hundred percent survivor option and a joint and fifty percent survivor option.

(2)(a) A member, if married, must provide the written consent of his or her spouse to the option selected under this section, except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection. If a member is married and both the member and the member's spouse do not give written consent to an option under this section, the department shall pay a joint and fifty percent survivor benefit calculated to be actuarially equivalent to the benefit options available under subsection (1) of this section unless spousal consent is not required as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection.

(b) Written consent from a spouse or domestic partner is not required if a member who is married or a domestic partner selects a joint and survivor option under subsection (1)(b) of this section and names the member's spouse or domestic partner as the survivor beneficiary.

(c) If a copy of a dissolution order designating a survivor beneficiary under RCW 41.50.790 has been filed with the department at least thirty days prior to a member's retirement:

(i) The department shall honor the designation as if made by the member under subsection (1) of this section; and

(ii) The spousal consent provisions of (a) of this subsection do not apply.

(3) No later than July 1, 2002, the department shall adopt rules that allow a member additional actuarially equivalent survivor benefit options, and shall include, but are not limited to:

(a)(i) A retired member who retired without designating a survivor beneficiary shall have the opportunity to designate their spouse from a postretirement marriage as a survivor during a one-year period beginning one year after the date of the postretirement marriage provided the retirement allowance payable to the retiree is not subject to periodic payments pursuant to a property division obligation as provided for in RCW 41.50.670.

(ii) A member who entered into a postretirement marriage prior to the effective date of the rules adopted under this section and satisfies the conditions of (a)(i) of this subsection shall have one year to designate their spouse as a survivor beneficiary following the adoption of the rules.

(b) A retired member who elected to receive a reduced retirement allowance under this section and designated a nonspouse as survivor beneficiary shall have the opportunity to remove the survivor designation and have their future benefit adjusted.

(c) The department may make an additional charge, if necessary, to ensure that the benefits provided under this subsection remain actuarially equivalent.

(4) No later than July 1, 2003, the department shall adopt rules to permit:

(a) A court-approved property settlement incident to a court decree of dissolution made before retirement to provide that benefits payable to a member who meets the length of service requirements of RCW 41.40.820(1) and the member's divorcing spouse be divided into two separate benefits payable over the life of each spouse.

The member shall have available the benefit options of subsection (1) of this section upon retirement, and if remarried at the time of retirement remains subject to the spousal consent requirements of subsection (2) of this section. Any reductions of the member's benefit subsequent to the division into two separate benefits shall be made solely to the separate benefit of the member.

The nonmember ex spouse shall be eligible to commence receiving their separate benefit upon reaching the age provided in RCW 41.40.820(1) and after filing a written application with the department.

(b) A court-approved property settlement incident to a court decree of dissolution made after retirement may only divide the benefit into two separate benefits payable over the life of each spouse if the nonmember ex spouse was selected as a survivor beneficiary at retirement.

The retired member may later choose the survivor benefit options available in subsection (3) of this section. Any actuarial reductions subsequent to the division into two separate benefits shall be made solely to the separate benefit of the member.

Both the retired member and the nonmember divorced spouse shall be eligible to commence receiving their separate benefits upon filing a copy of the dissolution order with the department in accordance with RCW 41.50.670.

(c) The department may make an additional charge or adjustment if necessary to ensure that the separate benefits provided under this subsection are actuarially equivalent to the benefits payable prior to the decree of dissolution.

(5) Beginning on the date that the state receives a determination from the federal internal revenue service that this subsection (5) conforms with federal law, retirees have up to ninety calendar days after the receipt of their first retirement allowance to change their survivor election under subsections (1) and (2) of this section. If a member changes the member's survivor election under this subsection the change is effective the first of the following month and is prospective only.

(1) Except as provided in RCW 41.40.037, no retiree under the provisions of plan 3 shall be eligible to receive such retiree's monthly retirement allowance if he or she is employed in an eligible position as defined in RCW 41.40.010, 41.32.010, 41.35.010, or 41.37.010, or as a law enforcement officer or firefighter as defined in RCW 41.26.030, except that a retiree who ends his or her membership in the retirement system pursuant to RCW 41.40.023(3)(b) is not subject to this section if the retiree's only employment is as an elective official of a city or town.

(2) If a retiree's benefits have been suspended under this section, his or her benefits shall be reinstated when the retiree terminates the employment that caused his or her benefits to be suspended. Upon reinstatement, the retiree's benefits shall be actuarially recomputed pursuant to the rules adopted by the department.

(3) The department shall adopt rules implementing this section.

(1) Between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, a member of plan 3 employed as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge may make a one-time irrevocable election, filed in writing with the member's employer, the department, and the administrative office of the courts, to accrue an additional plan 3 defined benefit equal to six-tenths percent of average final compensation for each year of future service credit from the date of the election in lieu of future employer contributions to the judicial retirement account plan under chapter 2.14 RCW.

(2) A member who made the election under subsection (1) of this section may apply, at the time of filing a written application for retirement with the department, to the department to increase the member's benefit multiplier by six-tenths percent per year of service for the period in which the member served as a justice or judge prior to the election. The member may purchase, beginning with the most recent judicial service, the higher benefit multiplier for that portion of the member's prior judicial service for which the higher benefit multiplier was not previously purchased, and that would ensure that the member has no more than a thirty-seven and one-half percent of average final compensation benefit. The member shall pay two and one-half percent of the salary earned for each month of service for which the higher benefit multiplier is being purchased, plus five and one-half percent interest applied from the dates that the service was earned. The purchase price shall not exceed the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier. This payment must be made prior to retirement, subject to rules adopted by the department.

(3) From January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2009, the following members may apply to the department to increase their benefit multiplier by an additional six-tenths percent per year of service for the period in which they served as a justice or judge:

(a) Active members of plan 3 who are not currently employed as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, and who have past service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge; and

(b) Inactive vested members of plan 3 who have separated, have not yet retired, and who have past service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge.

A member eligible under this subsection may purchase the higher benefit multiplier for all or part of the member's prior judicial service beginning with the most recent judicial service. The member shall pay, for the applicable period of service, the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier as determined by the director.

(4) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member applying to increase the member's benefit multiplier under this section may pay all or part of the cost with a lump sum payment, eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan. The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all lump sum payments, rollovers, and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.

(5) A member who chooses to make the election under subsection (1) of this section shall contribute a minimum of seven and one-half percent of pay to the member's defined contribution account.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

(1) Between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, a member of plan 3 employed as a district court judge or municipal court judge may make a one-time irrevocable election, filed in writing with the member's employer and the department, to accrue an additional plan 3 defined benefit equal to six-tenths percent of average final compensation for each year of future service credit from the date of the election.

(2) A member who made the election under subsection (1) of this section may apply, at the time of filing a written application for retirement with the department, to the department to increase the member's benefit multiplier by six-tenths percent per year of service for the period in which the member served as a judge prior to the election. The member may purchase, beginning with the most recent judicial service, the higher benefit multiplier for that portion of the member's prior judicial service for which the higher benefit multiplier was not previously purchased, and that would ensure that the member has no more than a thirty-seven and one-half percent of average final compensation benefit. The member shall pay two and one-half percent of the salary earned for each month of service for which the higher benefit multiplier is being purchased, plus five and one-half percent interest applied from the dates that the service was earned. The purchase price shall not exceed the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier. This payment must be made prior to retirement, subject to rules adopted by the department.

(3) From January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2009, the following members may apply to the department to increase their benefit multiplier by an additional six-tenths percent per year of service for the period in which they served as a justice or judge:

(a) Active members of plan 3 who are not currently employed as a district court judge or municipal court judge, and who have past service as a district court judge or municipal court judge; and

(b) Inactive vested members of plan 3 who have separated, have not yet retired, and who have past service as a district court judge or municipal court judge.

A member eligible under this subsection may purchase the higher benefit multiplier for all or part of the member's prior judicial service beginning with the most recent judicial service. The member shall pay, for the applicable period of service, the actuarially equivalent value of the increase in the member's benefit resulting from the increase in the benefit multiplier as determined by the director.

(4) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member applying to increase the member's benefit multiplier under this section may pay all or part of the cost with a lump sum payment, eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan. The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all lump sum payments, rollovers, and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.

(5) A member who chooses to make the election under subsection (1) of this section shall contribute a minimum of seven and one-half percent of pay to the member's defined contribution account.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.790, the retirement allowance payable for service as a supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, for those justices or judges who elected to participate under RCW 41.40.870(1), shall be equal to one and six-tenths percent of average final compensation for each year of service earned after the election. The total retirement benefit accrued or purchased under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to the election shall not exceed thirty-seven and one-half percent of average final compensation.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

In lieu of the retirement allowance provided under RCW 41.40.790, the retirement allowance payable for service as a district court judge or municipal court judge, for those judges who elected to participate under RCW 41.40.873(1), shall be equal to one and six-tenths percent of average final compensation for each year of service earned after the election. The total retirement benefit accrued or purchased under chapter 189, Laws of 2006 in combination with benefits accrued during periods served prior to the election shall not exceed thirty-seven and one-half percent of average final compensation.

Effective date—2006 c 189: See note following RCW 2.14.115.

This 1977 amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect October 1, 1977.

The benefits provided pursuant to chapter 247, Laws of 2000 are not provided to employees as a matter of contractual right prior to March 1, 2002. The legislature retains the right to alter or abolish these benefits at any time prior to March 1, 2002.

(1) Except for sections 408 and 901 through 906 of this act, this act takes effect March 1, 2002.

(2) Section 408 of this act takes effect January 1, 2004.

(3) Sections 901 through 906 of this act take effect September 1, 2000.

Subchapter headings in this act are not any part of the law.