(a) An alternate retirement plan may be a separate system or fund or may be one which participates in a larger system or fund with respect to some or all of the benefits provided thereunder.
(b) The benefits to be provided for or on behalf of staff members and employees of the Division of Higher Education under an alternate retirement plan may be provided through insurance policies and annuity contracts, both fixed and variable in nature, or a combination thereof, as specified in the plan, which insurance policies and annuity contracts may be obtained from any insurance company authorized to do business in this state or from any nonprofit company organized and operated exclusively for the purpose of aiding and strengthening educational or scientific institutions by issuing insurance or annuity contracts only to or for the benefit of such institutions or individuals engaged in their services.
(c) In any action brought by a staff member or division employee on a policy or contract, any official of the college or the Director of the Division of Higher Education shall be deemed to be the agent of the nonprofit company only for the purpose of service of process on the contract or policy, and for no other purpose.