Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions contained in this section govern the construction of this article.
(a) “Board” means the board of retirement.
(b) “Employer” means the county or district or agency whose employees are members of the retirement system of the county.
(c) “Federal system” means the Old Age and Survivors Insurance provisions of the Social Security Act.
(d) “Member” or “general member” means an employee hired on a permanent basis, as defined by the employer, except an employee eligible for safety membership.
(e) “Primary insurance amount” means the monthly retirement benefit payable under the federal system at the normal retirement age.
(f) “Service” means the period of employment of a member and the time in which a member or former member (1) is totally disabled, and (2) is receiving disability benefits or is eligible to receive disability benefits either during or after any elimination or qualifying period, under a long-term disability plan provided by the employer.
Except as otherwise herein provided, a member shall not be credited with service for any period of time in which the member is absent from work without pay.
Unless otherwise provided, service shall not include military service or public service other than service with the employer.
(g) “Final compensation” means the average annual compensation earnable by a member during any three years elected by a member at or before the time he or she files an application for retirement, or, if he or she fails to elect, during the three years immediately preceding his or her retirement. If a member has less than three years of service, his or her final compensation shall be determined by dividing his or her total compensation by the number of months of service credited to him or her and multiplying by 12.
The board of supervisors of any county subject to this article shall establish a defined contribution retirement plan authorized by Section 401 of the United States Code or a similar plan authorized by the United States Code.
(Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1480, Sec. 1.)