(a) In accordance with the provisions of this section, general members, whose retirement benefits are governed by the noncontributory plan created by this article, may transfer to the contributory plan. Contributory plan shall mean Retirement Plan D. Transfer may be made by election upon written application executed by the member and filed with the board on or before the election date and shall be effective on the transfer date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this section. The election date shall be that date identified in the resolution adopted by the board of supervisors declaring this section to be operative. The transfer date shall be that date on which the member completes deposit of all contributions required by Section 31494.3. The election is voluntary and may be revoked upon written notice received by the board prior to the transfer date.
(b) The retirement benefits of members electing to transfer and transferred members shall be governed and defined by this section. In the event of conflict, this section shall supersede and prevail over other provisions, or application of provisions, otherwise contained in this article.
(c) Transferred members relinquish, waive, and forfeit any and all vested or accrued benefits available under any other retirement plan provided to members of the retirement system, and shall be entitled only to the benefits available under the contributory plan.
(d) Transferred members shall receive retirement service credit for that period of service with the employer, for which the members were otherwise eligible to receive credit under the plan created by this article. Transferred members shall also receive retirement service credit for that period of service for which the member made contributions pursuant to Section 31490.5.
(e) Transferred members may receive retirement service credit for service other than that with the employer, for which the members were credited or were eligible to receive credit under the plan created by this article, by written application executed by the member and filed with the board on or before the election date.
(f) The employer, the members who have elected to transfer, and transferred members shall make contributions to the retirement fund in accordance with the rates, and in the same manner, as prescribed under the contributory plan. The monthly contributions shall commence for the month next following the transfer date or that date 120 days after the election date, whichever is earlier.
(g) For purposes of calculating member contributions required under Section 31494.3, the entry age of a transferred member shall be that entry age as reflected in the retirement records maintained on behalf of the board.
(h) Failure of a member to deposit the contributions at the time and in the manner required by subdivision (a) of Section 31494.3 shall result in the cancellation of his or her election to transfer.
(i) Failure of a member to deposit the contributions at the time and in the manner required by subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 31494.3 shall result in the cancellation and forfeiture of his or her right to elect credit for other service under subdivision (e).
(j) Prior to the transfer date, the rights to retirement, disability, survivors, and death benefits of members who have made the election to transfer shall remain the same as defined and governed by this article. If those members die, terminate service, or make application for retirement prior to the transfer date, or fail to deposit all required contributions as required by Section 31494.3, all member contributions and regular interest shall be refunded to the member or member’s survivor.
(k) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this section or Section 31494.3, in the event of the death of a member who has elected to transfer prior to the transfer date, the spouse of the member, or the minor children of the member if no spouse survives the member, may elect to pay the balance of contributions required by Section 31494.3, and if the contributions are deposited in the retirement fund within 120 days after the death of the member, the spouse of the member, or if no spouse survives the member, the minor children of the member, shall be entitled to rights and benefits as if the deceased member had deposited all contributions required by Section 31494.3.
(l) Prior to the transfer date, the rights to retirement, disability, survivors, and death benefits of members who have made the election to transfer shall remain the same as defined and governed by this article. If those members die, terminate service, or make application for retirement prior to the transfer date, all member contributions and regular interest shall be refunded to the member or the member’s survivor.
(m) This section shall be operative at such time or times as may be mutually agreed to in memoranda of understanding executed by the employer and employee representatives if the board of supervisors adopts, by majority vote, a resolution declaring that the section shall be operative.
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 528, Sec. 17. (SB 13) Effective October 4, 2013.)