19-6-501. Eligibility for service retirement benefit. (1) (a) Subject to a member's right to a refund of the member's accumulated contributions under Title 19, chapter 2, part 6, a member hired on or before June 30, 2023, is eligible to receive a nonforfeitable service retirement benefit under 19-6-502 after completing 20 years or more of membership service and terminating service.

(b) Subject to a member's right to a refund of the member's accumulated contributions under Title 19, chapter 2, part 6, a member hired on or after July 1, 2023, is eligible to receive a nonforfeitable service retirement benefit under 19-6-502 after completing 20 years or more of membership service, reaching the age of 50, and terminating service.

(2) For purposes of compliance with section 411 of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 411, a vested member is treated as having attained normal retirement age and has a nonforfeitable right to the member's service retirement.