(a)
(1) The noncontributory benefit provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to each person who has never been a member of the State Police Retirement System before January 1, 1978, and who is employed before April 3, 1997, in a position covered by the system and who thereby becomes a member.
(2)
(A)
(i) Each other person who was a member before January 1, 1978, but who was not actively employed in a position covered by the system on January 1, 1978, shall become covered by the noncontributory benefit provisions of this chapter at the time the person first becomes so employed after January 1, 1978, unless he or she elects to become covered by the provisions of the system which require member contributions. The election must be in writing and received by the governing body of the system before the later of January 1, 1986, and six (6) months after he or she first becomes so employed after January 1, 1978.
(ii) If the member so elects benefits requiring member contributions, he or she shall pay the member contributions from the date of the employment, together with regular interest, from the dates the contributions would normally have been received by the system to the dates of actual payment.
(B)
(i) The benefits of each member's becoming covered by the noncontributory benefit provisions of this chapter shall be computed by applying the benefit provisions prescribed by this subchapter for all credited service of the person rendered before and after January 1, 1978.
(ii) Benefit amounts based upon employment before January 1, 1978, shall not be less than benefit amounts computed in accordance with the system benefit provisions at the time of retirement which require member contributions.