19-20-1213. Retirement system's discretion -- priority right to recover. (1) Nothing in this part is intended to prohibit retirement system staff from working informally with an employer, a member, or a benefit recipient to mutually resolve an error and recover amounts owed to the retirement system prior to the retirement system taking formal action as provided in this part.

(2) The retirement system has sole discretion to determine the most appropriate method for correcting errors and recovering amounts owed to it.

(3) The retirement system's right to recover amounts owed to it as set forth in this part does not prohibit the retirement system from pursuing any other remedy or penalty available to the retirement system.

(4) The retirement system's right to recover amounts owed to it has priority over the claim of any member, benefit recipient, or other individual or entity claiming an interest in any amount payable by the retirement system to or on behalf of the member.