19-8-903. Employment in United States government. (1) A member who is assigned to an agency of the United States government under Title IV, the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, may purchase the federal employment in the retirement system under subsection (2) of this section if:

(a) the member has accumulated at least 5 years of membership service; and

(b) the member returns to full-time service for at least 1 year after completing employment in the United States government.

(2) A member who is assigned to an agency of the United States government has the option to:

(a) continue the member's payments into the pension trust fund; or

(b) pay an amount equal to the normal employer and employee contributions plus interest within 2 years after the member's return to active state peace officer status.

(3) Compensation earned while on assignment to an agency of the United States government must be considered compensation for purposes of the retirement system and may be included in the determination of highest average compensation, provided that the highest average compensation does not exceed 100% of the member's highest monthly compensation earned as a state peace officer.